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

6.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,565 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.

1996 Chevrolet Astro Van suspension problems

suspension problem

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1996 Chevrolet Astro Van Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jul 102001

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While in park in the driveway and the front end dropped to the ground, with a very loud crashing sound. The torsion bar broke.

- Campbellsport, WI, USA

problem #17

Jul 202001

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, left drivers side torsion bar broke, causing front end to drop about 4 inches, consumer contacted dealer, and the dealer insisted that consumer had to replace both bars.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #16

Aug 212001

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
When I backed my van up to leave for work, the front driver side was sitting on the tire & it was making a rubbing sound. We had to get it towed & even though only one torsion bar was broke the replace both. The total bill was $560. I am just thankful it didn't happen 2 weeks sooner when I was on a trip on the interstate going 70 mph, with my sister & our children with us. I have noticed that there have been no more complaints after the 1996"S. I will assume that Chevy replaced the part finally. I count 80 complaints on your website, involving 92's through 96's. how many more are out there that have not been reported? I think Chevy knew it had a bad part, & they should pay for repairs.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #15

Jul 152001

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

After driving on highway parked vehicle in driveway, and found out that front of vehicle was lower, and tires down on wheels. Next day, towed vehicle to dealer, who replaced torsion bar spring. About a half hour after the vehicle had been driven, the consumer was startled by a loud bang, after veiwing the van the consumer noticed that the front end was about 9 inches lower and the vehicle was not driveable. Nlm

- Willoughby Hills, OH, USA

problem #14

Jun 252001

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving front torsion bar broke, and front end of vehicle dropped down. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated nothing could be done. Consumer states the torion bar has been redesigned on new vehicles.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

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problem #13

Jun 122001

Astro Van

  • miles
While driving at 30 mph torsion bar snapped which caused whole front left wheel to collapse. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer refused to provide any assistance.

- South Hover, MN, USA

problem #12

Jun 252001

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While consumer was travleing at 30 mph torsion bar snapped. Body frame of the vehicle collapsed on the left front wheel. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything. Dealer covered 50 percent of replacement costs, consumer has old parts for review.

- South Hover, MN, USA

problem #11

Jun 192001

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was parked, and consumer heard a loud noise. Vehicle tilted to passenger's side and frame rested on wheel. Towed to dealer; had to replace both front torsion bars. No prior warning.

- Caledonia, WI, USA

problem #10

Jan 012001

Astro Van

  • miles
Front torsion bar broke, causing front end of vehicle to drop down to ground. Dealership was aware of it.

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #9

Apr 202001

Astro Van

  • miles
As consumer was pulling out of driveway, he heard driver side tire rubbing on the wheel well, consumer drove vehicle back into the garage and upon inspecting the suspension, he found that the torsion bar on the driver side of the vehcile had sheared in half, consumer contacted manufacture and was advised that they would not assist with repairs because vehicle was out of warranty.

- Hartford, WI, USA

problem #8

May 122001

Astro Van

  • miles

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

Consumer attempted to start vehicle and left front torsion bar broke, causing vehicle to drop. Different dealership informed consumer that these parts were kept in stock because this was a problem with this make/model of vehicle. Consumer had to replace both front torsion bars.

- Conneaut Lake, PA, USA

problem #7

Sep 052000

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Both front torsion bars broke wihtin only 70416 miles.

- Lyons, NY, USA

problem #6

Jun 192000

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
Torsion bars broke overnight while the vehicle was parked.

- Medicine Lake, MN, USA

problem #5

May 282000

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While parking vehicle torsion bar snapped. There was no prior warning of any problem. Contacted manufacturer. Torsion bar is repairable, but not under warranty. Contacted dealership & informed have kit to repair the torsion bar.

- Cambridge, MN, USA

problem #4

Aug 191999

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
On August 19,1999, I was backing my 1996 Chevrolet Astro van out of my parents' garage when I noticed that something wasn't right with the van. I then drove it down the road a few blocks. I pulled over to the side of the road because the van was not driving as it normally does. The van was rocking and sitting lower to the ground. After I pulled over, I looked to see if one of the tires were flat. It was then that I noticed that the entire front end of the van was hanging very low. I then called leon's auto lab, gave them a brief description of the problem and asked if they thought if it was safe for me to drive it to their shop which happened to be a few more blocks down the road. They told me to drive it very slowly to their shop. When I got there, they put the van on a hoist and found that the torision bar was broken. They couldn't fix it so I had to take to speedy's tma. They are located in aberdeen, sd 57401 (1-605-229-1025). They were able to get replacement parts and fix it there. I kept the broken torision bar. The mechanics told my father that the problem was a faulty design. I am frightened to think what may have happened if I had been traveling down the highway at 65mph and the torision bar would've broken. Thank you for taking the time to investigate this matter. Sincerely, tamara L. wasser

- Kaukauna, WI, USA

problem #3

Jul 261999

Astro Van

  • miles
Front torsion bar cracked and broke, could have caused loss of control.

- Wassaic, NY, USA

problem #2

Jul 181999

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
Was advised by manufacturer (GM) that torsion bar breakage is not a safety issue, nor design fault. Reason given was "road depree buildup known as wear and tear maintenance issue". GM hesitate to provide me hardcopy of given reason for torsion bar failure.

- Bolton, Ontario, CA, USA

problem #1

May 141999

Astro Van

  • miles
While driving at 25 mph, without prior warning, torsion bar snapped and broke.

- Hubbardston, MI, USA

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