RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet Astro Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Oct 26, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 241 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Chevrolet Astro submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2017

WHAT IS THE REAL IS HARD TO TURN IN MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT

NHTSA ID
11039948
Incident
Jul 29, 2017
BrakesSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Mar 2, 2005

WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEED THE ABS WOULD CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. LEFT FRONT WINDOW HANGS WHEN GOING UP. WINDOW TRACKE LUBED. PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. RER BRAKE ADJUSTED. BRAKE PEDAL KICKED UP WHEN ALMOST TO A STOP. REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS/ROTORS/ BACKING PLATES AND REMOVED SENSORS AND CLEANED RUST BUILD UP ON SENSOR AND HUB ASSEMBLIES. BOTH IDLER AMRS AND FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO FRONT END PLAY. *TT

NHTSA ID
10110976
Incident
Nov 11, 2004
Mileage
87,000 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 1, 2004

REQUEST ANOTHER VEHICLE (VAN/SUV) AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CARS DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *PH THE SAME DAY THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE DROVE TWO BLOCKS AND THE VAN STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WALKED BACK TO CAR LOT AND THE WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE THAT THE MECHANIC HAD CHECKED OVER EVERYTHING COMPLETELY AND TO JUST FILL THE VEHICLE UP WITH GAS. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, ALSO THE FRONT SHOCKS AND IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10066869
Incident
Feb 11, 2004
Mileage
70,365 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2001

WHILE DRIVING IDLER ARM, PART OF LINKAGE TO STEERING MECHANISM, SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
895446
Incident
Aug 15, 2001
Steering
Filed May 22, 2001

WHILE MAKING A TURN THERE WAS LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A BOLT SEPARATING FROM POWER STEERING, CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
888847
Incident
Dec 10, 2000
BrakesSteering
Filed May 1, 2001

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MGR. @ DAMASCUS CHEVROLET THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN THIS BRAKING SYSTEM BEFORE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH EITHER THE STEERING OR THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND COMPLETE. I HAVE LOCATED ONE ADDITIONAL OWNER OF THE SAME MODEL VAN WHO EXPERIENCED A SIMULAR FAILURE. IN BOTH CASES IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE FAILURE WAS AT A LOW SPEED. CHEVROLET INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE VEHILCE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD MAKE NO EFFORTS TO ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIR ($800). I FEEL THAT A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT SUFFERS FROM THIS TYPE OF FAILURE FROM TIME TO TIME ( AS STATED BY THE CHEVY SERVICE MGR.) IS A THREAT TO ANYONE WHO MAY OPERATE OR BE IN PROXIMITY OF THE OPERATION OF THESE VEHICLES.*AK

NHTSA ID
744800
BrakesSteeringTires & wheels
Filed Nov 24, 2000

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD GRAB, TOOK TO DEALER WHO FOUND EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD BEEN FUSED TO BRAKES. TOOK 2 VISITS TO DEALER BEFORE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. ALSO, IDLER ARM/TIE ROD ENDS HAD TO BE REPLACED. TIRES HAD BEEN WEARING UNEVEN, VEHICLE WAS SHAKING BADLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
875449
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
734590
Incident
Sep 1, 2000
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 12, 2000

AT 35,000 MILES HAD IDLE ARM REPLACED, BAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT CAUSED LOSE OF FOUR TIRES, AT 40,000 HAD TWO IDLE ARMS AND DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
725311
Incident
Jul 20, 1999
Body & structureElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Dec 10, 1999

ROBLEMS THAT I HAVE LISTED ARE ONLY THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AND SUCH AS : OIL COLLER INLET, REAR MAIN SEAL, EXTENTION HOUSING LEAKING.MY FRONT END ALIGNMENT WANDERS, PROBLEMS WITH KEYLESS REMOTE AND FACTORY ALARM.ROOF RACK WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, CIGARETTTE LIGHTER FALLS OUT, GLOVE BOX LIGHT SWITCH DEFECTIVE,RAIDO SPEAKERS NOT PROPERTLY INSTALLLED. WHEN TENSIONER FAILED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END,SO I DECIDED TO GET OFF THE BUSY ROAD TO FIND OUT WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT;I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME ON A BUSY ROAD SPEED LIMIT 45.I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAD TURN AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT; TO PULL ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH ALL MY BODY WEIGHT, AND STILL COULDN'T MAKE THE TURN, I HAD TO BACK UP AND TRY TO TURN AGAIN.I CONTINUE TO HAVE FRONTEND,WINDOW,FUEL INJECTION, DOORS NOT WANTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK PROPERLY AND I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THIS CHEVROLET, ASTRO IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVING. ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE GREATLY APPERICATED. THANK YOU LAURIE HOEKZEMA. *AK

NHTSA ID
715876
Incident
Jul 30, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 20, 1999

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAIL. *YC

NHTSA ID
848403
Steering
Filed Feb 1, 1999

POWER STEERING FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
606116
Steering
Filed Dec 9, 1998

DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF STEERING GEAR BOX NUT BROKE, CAUSING THE STEERING MECHANISM TO LOCK UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DUE TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT, IT CAUSES THE STEERING GEAR AND PUMP TO BE REPLACED, AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDROBOOST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
832078
Incident
Dec 7, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 1998

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, DRIVER HEARD A

NHTSA ID
700207
Incident
Oct 28, 1998
Steering
Filed Nov 7, 1997

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH, MAKING A SHARP TURN, LOST COMPLETE STEERING AND BRAKEING AND ALL POWER ASSIST. HAD TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. BRAKES WORK OFF PUMP. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
818615
Incident
Oct 24, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .