IllustrationTHE TORSION BAR SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. JB
1996 Chevrolet Astro
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Astro years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Astro years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 22 of 263 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Suspension complaints
60 reportsTHE CONSUMER SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE PART WAS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALER. BY COINCIDENCE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SENT AS WELL AND WAS SOLD BY THE PAIR. THE PARTS WERE REDESIGNED AND A NEW BUT DIFFERENT BRACKET WAS INC…
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THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT SIDE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE PART WAS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALER. BY COINCIDENCE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SENT AS WELL AND WAS SOLD BY THE PAIR. THE PARTS WERE REDESIGNED AND A NEW BUT DIFFERENT BRACKET WAS INCLUDED. GM FORCED THE REPAIR OF BOTH SIDES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER. *JB *SCC
VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, WHEN A LOUD NOISE PROCEEDED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VAN COLLAPSING ONTO THE FRONT TIRE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TORSION BAR HAD FAILED, AND AS THE PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. I REQUESTED THE PARTS BE RETURNED, AND AFTER VISUALLY…
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VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, WHEN A LOUD NOISE PROCEEDED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VAN COLLAPSING ONTO THE FRONT TIRE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TORSION BAR HAD FAILED, AND AS THE PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. I REQUESTED THE PARTS BE RETURNED, AND AFTER VISUALLY INSPECTING, IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THE PART FAILED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION OF THE TORSION BAR HAS A RETAINING SLEEVE THAT FITS OVER THE FAILED END OF THE TORSION BAR, AND CONNECTS INTO THE CROSSMEMBER. THE SLEEVE IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT COLLECTS MOISTURE. THIS IN TURN CAUSES APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES OF THE TORSION BAR TO CORRODE, DEGRADING THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNIT. WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANIC IN THE AVIATION FIELD, I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH CORROSION AND METAL FATIQUE. THE NEW DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, ELIMINATES THE SLEEVE ENTIRELY, AND THERE IS NO MOISTURE COLLECTION POINTS. CHEVROLET IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT AS LONG AS THE CONSUMER IS PAYING THE BILL, WHY PUBLICLY ADMIT IT? WITH THE REPAIR COST AND AGGRAVATION SET ASIDE, THE REAL ISSUE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE IS SAFETY. MY FAMILY HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE TORSION BAR FAILED. WHEN THE FRONT END COLLAPSES, THE STEERING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO NON EXISTANT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! THE SAFETY ASPECT AFFECTS THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, OTHER MOTORISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS. I ALSO NOTICED FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE, THAT SEVERAL OF THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THIS IS EVEN A SAFETY ISSUE TO ANYONE AROUND THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND MECHANICS WHO MIGHT BE NEAR OR UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURES OCCUR. IN MY OPINION, CHEVROLET HAS NO INTENTION OF INITIATING A RECALL ON THEIR OWN. UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OCCURING ON VEHICLES THAT ARE ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD, THE MAJORITY OF FAILURES ARE YET TO COME. *JB
THE OWNER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO STEP INTO THE VAN WHEN THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE VAN TO COLLAPSE IN THE FRONT, TO THE GROUND WITH NO WARNING. NLM *SCC
CONSUMER WAS IN THE GARAGE, WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. THE LEFT FRONT END HAD COLLASPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THAT THE TORSION HAD BROKEN.*SCC
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND THE FRONT END DROPPED A FEW INCHES. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TORSION BAR HAD BROKEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED, IN RE: 1988 ASTRO VAN. SCC
WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE DROPPED ONTO WHEEL WELL VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, FRONT TORSION BAR HAD BROKEN.*AK
CONSUMER STATES AFTER THE TORSON BAR FAILED, THE FRONT TIRE RUBBED AGAINST FRAME OF VEHICLE.*AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOING OVER AN OVERPASS 2 TORISON BARS BROKE CAUSING THE FRONT END TO FALL WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SCC
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE TORSION BARS BROKE WITHIN THE RETAINER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *YH
Official recalls
403V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
01V123000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices
Apr 10, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
99V009000 · Child Seat
Jan 20, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
97V057000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Apr 8, 1997
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.