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1997 Chevrolet Astro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Astro years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Astro are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 46 of 360 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports7 fire reports16 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

31 reports
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84,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR BEGAN TO IDLE VERY HIGH THEN BEGAN TO DRIVE ITSELF. BRAKES HAD TO BE USED AT ALL TIMES DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE UNTIL VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO MECHANIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074824

60,000 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

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 J…

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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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067931

59,000 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL INDICATOR READ FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK LEVEL WAS LOW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10057640

90,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 97 CHEVY ASTRO VAN ABOUT 40MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE VAN WAS NOT STOPPING SO SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS SHE COULD. JUST AS IT WAS ABOUT TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN IT LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VAN CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (LUCKILY THERE …

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 97 CHEVY ASTRO VAN ABOUT 40MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE VAN WAS NOT STOPPING SO SHE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS SHE COULD. JUST AS IT WAS ABOUT TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN IT LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VAN CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS COMING). SHE TRIED TO STOP AGAIN NOW NOTICING THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING. SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO PARK. WE THEN HAD THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT AT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT AND WAS POURING RAW FUEL INTO THE MOTOR. IT WAS OCCURING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE THAT IT SUCKED A PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY INTO THE MOTOR. WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR VAN BACK OR DO WE KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES (THEY HAVE TO PULL THE HEADS OFF TO FIND THE PART THAT GOT SUCKED IN). I AM GLAD I AM WRITING THIS JUST WORRYING ABOUT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS I AM OUT AND NOT TELLING YOU HOW MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE KILLED. I CALLD GENERAL MOTORS TO COMPLAIN AND THEY MADE A CASE (#1-73278300) AND SAID THAT IF THEY GOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THIS COULD TURN INTO A RECALL AT WHICH TIME THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER SAID HE HAS SEEN CASES IN WHICH PARTS WERE SUCKE INTO THE ENGINE 3 OR 4 TIMES. MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO GET HURT OR KILLED FOR GM TO THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM? MY FAMILY GOT LUCKY IN THAT THEY WERE JUST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. ALSO I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO BE LIABLE FOR MY WHOLE ENGINE BEING IN JEOPARDY FROM ONE RELATIVELY CHEAP PART GOING BAD. I AM COMPAINING ABOUT A POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS A DESIGN FLAW. HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME AS MY FAMILY OR WORSE? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR GM TO RECOGNISE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10007678

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

MY MINI VAN ALWAYS STARTS SHAKING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED I WENT THROUGH SIX TIME FIXING PROBLEM , I PUT NEW DISCS DRUMS SHOE PADS SHOCKS ALIGNMENT REBALANCE EVERYTHING WE COULD DO I'AM VERY DISAAPOINTED AT CHEVROLET FOR THEIR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE I EVEN PUT A NEW GEAR BOX, THE FUEL GAGE DOES'NT WORK THEY TOLD AT CROPPERS CHEVROL…

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MY MINI VAN ALWAYS STARTS SHAKING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED I WENT THROUGH SIX TIME FIXING PROBLEM , I PUT NEW DISCS DRUMS SHOE PADS SHOCKS ALIGNMENT REBALANCE EVERYTHING WE COULD DO I'AM VERY DISAAPOINTED AT CHEVROLET FOR THEIR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE I EVEN PUT A NEW GEAR BOX, THE FUEL GAGE DOES'NT WORK THEY TOLD AT CROPPERS CHEVROLET IN NOGALES AZ.I NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP THEY COULD NOT FIX THE GAGE I AM SO DISSAPOINTED I BOUGHT A TOYOTA AND AS SOON AS I CAN I'LL TRADE THIS VEHICLE . ONE THING I LEARNED IS GO WITH AN IMPORT VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767364

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. INFORMED CONSUMER OF A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014520

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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 MANIFOL…

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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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763263

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011882

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

UPON REMOVAL OF DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ASSY CONTAINED WITHIN THE GAS TANK THE FUEL PUMP GROUND WIRE HAD MELTED AND SHORTED TO THE POSITIVE LEAD TO THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE WIRING INSIDE THE GAS TANK IS NOT HOUSED IN SOMETYPE OF PROTECTIVE ASSY TO PREVENT SUCH FAILURES IT WOULD NOT ONLY BE A FAULTY DESIGN B…

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UPON REMOVAL OF DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ASSY CONTAINED WITHIN THE GAS TANK THE FUEL PUMP GROUND WIRE HAD MELTED AND SHORTED TO THE POSITIVE LEAD TO THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE WIRING INSIDE THE GAS TANK IS NOT HOUSED IN SOMETYPE OF PROTECTIVE ASSY TO PREVENT SUCH FAILURES IT WOULD NOT ONLY BE A FAULTY DESIGN BUT POSE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FORTUNATELY EXCESSIVE HEAT OR SPARKS DID NOT OCCUR DUE TO THIS FAILURE. HAD THERE BEEN ENOUGH HEAT OR SPARKING FROM THE SHORTED WIRING, MOST LIKELY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RESULTING FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ON HOW SUCH FAILURES RESULTING IN A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION COULD EVER BE DETERMINED SINCE THE EVIDENCE OF POOR DESIGN WOULD MOST LIKELY BE DESTROYED BY FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. HAVE THERE BEEN MANY UNEXPLAINED FIRES OR EXPLOSIONS ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE? I DO HOPE SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME ON THIS ISSUE!*AK

NHTSA ODI #760022

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND VEHICLE CEASED AS BATTERY RAN DOWN, REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND IGNITION COIL AND WIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560939

Official recalls

4

03V159000 · 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

1

EA02006 · 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.