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

8.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,857 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Chevrolet Astro Van Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 082005

Astro Van 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Owner took the dealer, ann davids was the manager, the dealer denies any problem. The first day, owner notices a dust under hood, then noticed the wires were burnt underhood and under car.took car back to dealer, and everything was apparently okay. Owner tried cruise control to check the vehicle, when cruise control was on, vehilce accelerated unintentionally, then owner pulled off and put the car in neutral. When in neutral, the vehilce started to rev. Then a big bang, and smoke was coming out of the exausht. After vehicle cooled, he shut off the cruise control, and checked the accelerator, then started the car again. The accelerator stuck again, when this happened, the driver would put it neutral. Car was taken by tow truck to the dealership. The manager reports all if fixed, but no cruise control. 450 dollars for new cruise control.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #13

Jun 222003

Astro Van 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
The line that runs from the accumulator and connects to the rear evaporator, compression suction, discharge junction block and condenser sits against the bell housing of the transmission. Due to vibration it has worn a hole in the line causing the refrigerant to leak at a rapid rate. It appears to be a design flaw. I have had a mechanic and a heating/cooling system technician look at it with the same results. It is an ongoing process of charging the system every 3 to 4 days which is time consuming and expensive.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #12

Jun 162002

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
I have had a number of problems with this vehicle: Both the left and right power windor motors; replace the key remote, both idler arms, front brake pad at 37,000 miles, serpentime belt, power steering pump - replaced twice, had to fix oil cooler lines twice, replaced distributor/rotor; replaced lower gasket due to intake manifold leak, and fuel pump modual. All of this was done before my car had 57,000 miles. The dealer has been very fair and repaired at low or now cost. I have had two trips shortened due to breakdowns and have spent over $1,500 on repairs not covered under warrenty or by the dealer. This is in addition to normal maintenance (oil and filter, four new tires, and transmission fluid and filter). I am concerned as to "what is next" and when the dealer when no longer be able to fix these problems at low cost to me.

- Willmar, MN, USA

problem #11

Aug 251997

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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 #10

Oct 011998

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Controls are very hot to touch.

- Princeville, IL, USA

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problem #9

Sep 122000

(reported on)

Astro Van 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1st problem: When transmission gets hot- particularly after if driven in low gear.engine check light comes on and transmission slams from 1st gear into 2nd gear, then from 2nd gear into 3rd gear. Feels like vehicle has been hit from the rear. Problem stops when vehicle cools down. Dealer says only fix is to replace transmission. Has seen many other Astros with same problem. 2nd problem: Since filing orginal complaint # 516354 have gone to binding arbitration with Chevrolet. Chevrolet admitted to defective fuel tank that causes it to move. Arbitrator order Chevrolet to fix. Chevrolet refused because it will require redesign of fuel tank. Arbitrator has no power to order redesign.

- Hollywood, MD, USA

problem #8

Jan 012000

Astro Van

  • miles

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 042000

Astro Van

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Wabash, IN, USA

problem #6

May 201999

Astro Van

  • miles
Carpet separating from floor.

- Leavenwort, KS, USA

problem #5

Mar 251999

Astro Van

  • miles
Right lower dash vent fell off.

- Leavenwort, KS, USA

problem #4

Jul 141999

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Engine check light coming on coincidently with very rough shifting. Dealer states transmission needs replacement, even though an independent transmission shop could find no problem with the transmission. The independent mechanic maintains the problem is in the computer, which is shutting down and causing a full line pressure in the transmission, causing the rough shift. The independent shop dropped the transmission pan, inspected the fluid and visually inspected the transmission. Also kept and drove the vehicle for 2 days. Dealership insists the computer code they are receiving (P1870) indicates a transmission slip, to be remedied by a complete transmission replacement or at least an overhaul. No visual inspection of the transmission was conducted by the dealer -- only relying on a computer code to diagnose the problem. Dealer also stated they have had to replace many transmissions on this model vehicle --- "more than we care to admit." Still, an independent shop can find no internal problem and maintains it is a problem in the PCM. Dealer does not want to change PCM and will diagnose only as far as "pulling codes" from the PCM. They cannot adequately explain why the problem is intermittent and only presents intelf under certain weather conditions. When rough shifting occurs, the problem immediately goes away when the engine is shut off and re-started.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 031999

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
Consumers not informed by dealer that the vehicle they purchased was a lemon law buyback.

- Stanton, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 011997

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Keyless entry system for the rear liftgate activates unexpectedly when triggered by other signals near location of vehicle.

- Temple Cit, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 291997

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
Engine check light illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. Dealer has reset the computer, and also replaced the fuel injectors which did not remedy the problem.

- Rancho Cucaimonga, CA, USA

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