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1998 Chevrolet Astro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Astro years

Owner complaints for the 1998 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: 55 of 241 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports7 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

27 reports
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92,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DIDN'T PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE BOOK STATES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN WILL BE INDICATED BY THE SYSTEM BEFORE ANY PROBLEM IS APPARENT. THIS SYSTEM IS ALSO DESIGNED TO ASSIS…

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DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DIDN'T PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE BOOK STATES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN WILL BE INDICATED BY THE SYSTEM BEFORE ANY PROBLEM IS APPARENT. THIS SYSTEM IS ALSO DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUR SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN CORRECTLY DIAGNOSING ANY MALFUNCTION. NONE OF THIS WORKED ON THE VAN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452404

92,349 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HEAT EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE, THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HEAT EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE, THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,349. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ UPDATED 04/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10452205

92,000 miles · Mar 5, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUILT- IN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR ABNORMALLY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUILT- IN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR ABNORMALLY. THE ENGINE MOTOR AND THE INTAKE GASKETS WOULD BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BUILT-IN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10450272

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE BRAKES FAILED, AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE BELT TENSIONER FELL OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10081471

70,365 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

REQUEST ANOTHER VEHICLE (VAN/SUV) AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CARS DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *PH THE SAME DAY THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE DROVE TWO BLOCKS AND THE VAN STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WALKED BACK TO CAR LOT AND THE WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE THAT THE MECHANIC HAD CHECKE…

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REQUEST ANOTHER VEHICLE (VAN/SUV) AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CARS DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *PH THE SAME DAY THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE DROVE TWO BLOCKS AND THE VAN STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WALKED BACK TO CAR LOT AND THE WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE THAT THE MECHANIC HAD CHECKED OVER EVERYTHING COMPLETELY AND TO JUST FILL THE VEHICLE UP WITH GAS. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, ALSO THE FRONT SHOCKS AND IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10066869

70,365 miles · Mar 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE AUTOMOBILE NEVER WENT OFF, WHEN I PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE FROM USED DEALER,LIGHT WAS ON,TOOK IT TO MEINKE, PAID 2,000.00 TO GET SERVICED LIGHT STILL STAYED ON. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY, NO PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT AUTO , BLEW HEAD, WITH NO, NO , NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS EVEN RUNNIN…

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"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE AUTOMOBILE NEVER WENT OFF, WHEN I PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE FROM USED DEALER,LIGHT WAS ON,TOOK IT TO MEINKE, PAID 2,000.00 TO GET SERVICED LIGHT STILL STAYED ON. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY, NO PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT AUTO , BLEW HEAD, WITH NO, NO , NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS EVEN RUNNING HOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062087

150,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CANNOT GET AIR THROUGHT VENTS IN DASH, ALL CONTROLS WORK PROPERLY VACUUM ACTUATOR MOVES, THERE IS VACUUM AT THE SWITHC, NO ONE KNOWS THE ANSWER PAINT ON GAS DOOR BUBBLING AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD INTO 2ND GEAR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT ( 54000KMS) FINALLY STARTED TO SLIP , BOUGHT USED TRANS AN…

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CANNOT GET AIR THROUGHT VENTS IN DASH, ALL CONTROLS WORK PROPERLY VACUUM ACTUATOR MOVES, THERE IS VACUUM AT THE SWITHC, NO ONE KNOWS THE ANSWER PAINT ON GAS DOOR BUBBLING AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD INTO 2ND GEAR SINCE WE BOUGHT IT ( 54000KMS) FINALLY STARTED TO SLIP , BOUGHT USED TRANS AND HAD IT INSTALLED, QUOTED 3000.00 TO REBUILD, DEALER WAS PAST EVEN BELIEF. ABS COMES ON WHEN COMING TO A STOP EVERY TIME . LF FRONT SENSOR READS O MPH WHEN OTHER SENSORS READ MOVEMENT CAUSING IT TO ASSUME A SKID SITUATION, REPLACED SENSOR AT 205.00 NO BETTER, DOES NOT SET CODE IN COMPUTER ACCORDING TO MECHANIC. PULLED FUSE. HAS HAD VIBRATION IN DRIVELINE SINCE PURCHASED NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING SUGEESTION RANGE FROM REPLACE ALL U JOINTS, DID SOME OF THEM NO BETTER TO REPLACE REAR END. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE IN NOVA SCOTIA TO OBTAIN A BLASTING PERMIT TO BLOW UP YOUR CAR EVEN IF YOU TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND HIRE A PROFESSIONAL. I HAVE NEVER IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING SOME BAD STUFF FROM OLD ENGLISH CARS TO TRANSPORT TRUCKS WITH MORE MILES THAN THERE ARE NUMBERS, EVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, MOST THINGS CAN BE FIXED. YOU HAVE NEVER LIVED UNTIL YOU HAVE TAKEN THE WHOLE DASH APART ON ONE OF THESE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED BY MADMEN.

NHTSA ODI #10071372

89,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VAN SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND REALY HARD. WHEN I TRIED TO GET IT REPAIRED NOTHING WAS DONE EXCEPT FOR A FLUID CHANGE. THE VAN STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ONLY ATTEMPED TWO TIMES BECAUSE I CANT AFORD TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY AND THE PROBLEM TO NOT GET FIXED. THE AIR AND HEAT ONLY BLOWES OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10068732

51,891 miles · Oct 13, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR HAS A SHORT SERVICE LIGHT. THIS SENSOR BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AROUND 52000 MILES, SENDING A CODE TO THE OBD LL SYSTEM RESULTING IN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS WAY TOO SOON FOR THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT TO FAIL, AND THE COMPONENT IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS AT A LOFTY PRICE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041752

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE TRAVELING 80 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017492

Official recalls

3

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.