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

8.7

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,974 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Chevrolet Astro Van Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Jan 081999

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

My van is a 1997 Astro and it has some serious transmission problems after going 30-40 miles and stoping at a light it jerks real hard and feels like I was hit in the back I have took it 3 times to get fixed and it still does it the service ingine light comes on when it starts doing it no one seems to know wheat wrong they just keep takeing my money and telling me its fixed when its no if some one could tell me what the problem is I would be very happy the fuel pump went out 900.00$ the driver window motor went out the idler arms have had to be replaced brakes keep wearing down...please some one contact me.

- Bean Station, TN, USA

problem #37

May 092003

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission failed, due to a defect with the gear bearing.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #36

Oct 042002

Astro Van 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
I have a 1997 Astro, in the past 8 months the driver side window motor, windshield wiper motor and transmission have all been replaced. The transmission was replaced with 54,202 miles on it, which started giving us problems at about 53,000 miles. The dealership replaced both idler arms at 25,680 miles. Had seat belt chime fixed (recall), driver seat feels loose when stopping dealership claims to have tightened it, still feels loose. The van has always idled rough took it in 3 times for that and can't seem to fix that. Sliding door rattle they tried to fix that also still rattles. The gas pedal sticks when I take off or when I go in reverse which makes it impossible to take off smoothly. I had an Astro and a safari in the past and never had as many problems as I had with this one.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #35

Jun 102000

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

After driving for 20-40 minutes, the transmission will shift very hard from first to second gear. We have reported this to the dealer and am told that it would cost $1800 + to replace the transmission. We have had 3 transmission shops look at this problem and run diagnostics and tune up on the transmission. The problem still exists. We have been dealing with this aggravating situation the last two years, spoken with many people in the repair business and no one seems to be able to pinpoint the exact problem. They only want to "look" at the problem and collect more money, which we have done on 3 seperate occasions. All to no avail. Problem still exists.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #34

Jul 272001

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The reverse shell in the transmission broke, dealer replaced the transmission, consumer was shocked that the warranty would not cover this failure and feels that Chevrolet should pay for 50 percent of the cost since the failure occurred at low mileage.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #33

Mar 232002

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
The transmission was replaced due to it missing 1st and going right into 2nd gear.front end of vehicle shakes at 40 mph. Had tires replaced and alignment done. Interior light stay S on unless manual override is turned off.brakes make noises when you come to a stop or you are stopping slowly. Engine light comes on all the time brought to mechanic every time to get analyzed.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #32

May 042001

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles

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

After leaving a 4-lane interstate section of highway 19 in West Virginia, and arriving onto a section with stoplights, the driver noticed a clunking noise while the transmission was shifting from 1st to 2nd. This occurred at multiple lights. During the occurence, the van would also lurch during the shift. We stopped at a rest area, and after allowing the van to sit for about 20 minutes, we restarted. The problem was not apparent when we left the rest area, but about 2 miles down the road, the "service engine" light came on. We drove to the nearest major city to find a dealer to look at the problem. Once we found an open dealer who could download the diagnostics, he informed us that the code indicated transmission slippage. He reset the code, and the van shifted fine. We continued to our destination without problems, and took the van to a dealer the following day. They studied the van, and determined that the valve body had failed, just out of warranty, of course. We spent $1100+ to have the valve body repaired.

- Bethel Park, PA, USA

problem #31

Jul 272001

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The reverse shell in the transmission broke, dealer replaced the transmission, consumer was shocked that the warranty would not cover this failure and feels that Chevrolet should pay for 50 percent of the cost since the failure occurred at low mileage.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #30

Jul 122001

Astro Van

  • miles
Transmission shifts hard from first to second gear when I get off of the highway, feels like someone rearended me. Gas guage always registers full.grinding noise from right rear tire, sounds like the rear axle, had brakes checked by dealer they are fine.maybe I should of bought a Ford.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #29

Jun 202001

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slammed into gear after accelerating and shifted into next gear. After, slamming into next gear, vehicle shook violently. Dealer stated vehicle was built with a inadequate transmission to hamdle weight of vehicle. Manufacturer dd not plan to solve problem.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #28

Jun 012000

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

After driving for an extended period of time transmission would shift violently through lower gears. Dealership continued to inform consumer that a tsb (technical service bulletin) would be released for this problem. However, transmission failed, and needed to be replaced.

- Poughquay, NY, USA

problem #27

May 172001

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
After driving on interstate for awhile, the transmission shifted very harshly when pulling away from a toll booth sending my wife's and children's heads back sharply against their seats. The dealer says it will need to be rebuilt. Independent transmission shops state that this is a common problem with GMC transmissions and that it will eventually cease to function, possibly stranding the people in the van. After acknowledging this in several service bulletins, the GM garage still says that GM is not responsible for the repair cost of approx $2000.

- Lacrescent, MN, USA

problem #26

May 112001

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My feeling on this vehicle is as follows: This is a relitively new Astro van, being only 4 years old, I wouldn't have expected to have to absorb the cost of a rebuilt trasmission already. After speaking with our trasmissions specialist, he advised we contact someone regarding this van. The problem with the trasmission was caused by 2 torque bearings that exploded within the transmission, thus causing the damage. He let me know that this is not a normal occurance in this vehicle, there had to be a flaw. Torque bearings just do not "explode." The cost to remedy, what I feel is a manufacture defect, has caused a hardship for my family. I would appreciate any help with this matter.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #25

May 042001

(reported on)

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission shifts very rough, feels like being hit from behind. Is now leaking fluid.

- Hanoverton, OH, USA

problem #24

Sep 011997

Astro Van

  • miles
Automatic transmission failure. Transmission has been replaced approximately four times because of failure to operate. After last replacement, dealership overfilled the transmission fluid, causing excessive leaking. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Banning, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 251997

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's side rear window will not stay open, clips that should hold it up are blocked by material, window slams shut when going over a bump. Transmission went out at 45000 miles. Oil leak, dealer ordered axle output shaft seal and crankshaft sensor. Electric fuel pump replaced due to vehicle cutting and would crank, but would not star. Oil pressure gauge erratic, dealer replaced oil pressure sender. Front brakes and pads were replaced, rotors were resurfaced. Consumer states there is play in the steering, dealer replaced both idler arms and reset toe in. Power door locks inoperable, dealer replaced power door lock switch. Power window inoperable, dealer replaced power window switch. Shifter was hard to move, dealer replaced shift cable. Gas pedal binds at times, dealer ordered throttle cable and replaced accelerator cable. Driver seta seems loose when braking, dealer ordered driver seat track assembly and replaced driver seat adjuster. PCM fuse kept blowing out, dealer removed engine cover and traced wire harness, repaired shorted harness at the rear of the transmission.

- Seaford, NY, USA

problem #22

Oct 222000

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling and without any indication vehicle lost first gear then fourth gear was lost. Finally the reverse gear failed.

- Baltomor, MD, USA

problem #21

May 011999

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission had to be replaced.

- Princeville, IL, USA

problem #20

Sep 192000

Astro Van

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission roughly shifts between 1st and 2nd gear. Dealer replaced transmission at cost of $1823.99.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #19

Nov 161998

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission replaced 3 times. Transmission would keep vehicle from going into reverse or start slipping into different gears. Dealer has rebuild the transmission each time. The parts could be defective.

- Hutchison, KS, USA

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