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CarComplaints.com Notes: The Chevy Astro is mechanically identical to the GMC Safari.

4.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,662 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Astro Van steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Chevrolet Astro Van Owner Comments

problem #8

Jun 262011

Astro Van 6-cyl

  • 151,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1997 Chevy Astro van with 151K miles. Sunday, the power steering pump went out. When it did so, the brakes turned mushy with little braking power. We were lucky as we had just come down a steep driveway. If they had failed then our choices would have been to run into the back of a car if we could have turned, run into a group of people and then continued down a steep hill into brush and forest with likely casualties. Luckily, we had just started up to leave and noticed the problem. We shut down and the local Chevy dealership was able to obtain a part. However, the service writer told us that to this day, many Chevy vans and trucks have the same system where the power steering pump acts as a booster pump for the braking system. That lack of independence between the two systems is an engineering error and should be corrected.

- Wa, WA, USA

problem #7

Apr 052003

Astro Van

  • 78,000 miles
While driving at low a speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering and brakes.this was caused by the steel rod shaft breaking in the power steering pump. The mechanic stated the hydro boost system had malfunctioned.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #6

May 292001

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fuel gauge stopped working. Air conditioner and transmission broke.

- Northbrook, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 122000

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While moving from a stopped position the car made a loud noise and the steering went completely out. Dealer has vehicle currently.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 221998

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
When driving the vehicle it would drift to the right. Dealer says that this is the way it is designed.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 051997

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the van the driver was turning the steering wheel and the steering locked up, causing the driver problems turning the vehicle. This happens only when the driver is trying to make a turn.

- Nuevo, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 231998

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
Defective steering system makes noises when traveling over bumps, stopping, and turning. Also caused excessive tire wear.

- Gladstone, OR, USA

problem #1

Jul 271997

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering: Sitting still, turned vehicle on, pushed on brake, steering wheel turned part way then it would lock. When releasing the brake, it will steer fine. Spoke with dealer and was told it was a general defect with the all wheel drives.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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