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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

Structure complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2009
Structure

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY ASTRO 2WD WE BOUGHT WITH 23K MI. IN 2000. ROUGHLY 2 YEARS AGO WE HAD ALL NEW BRAKES (HEAD TO TOE, FRONT & BACK) INSTALLED AGAIN. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH OUR ABS MAINLY WHEN TRAVELING UNDER 15 MPH, WHEN YOU TRY AND STOP IT GRABS HEAVILY OR SOMETIMES ALMOST NOT AT ALL. JUST LAST YEAR WE HAD THE F…

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I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY ASTRO 2WD WE BOUGHT WITH 23K MI. IN 2000. ROUGHLY 2 YEARS AGO WE HAD ALL NEW BRAKES (HEAD TO TOE, FRONT & BACK) INSTALLED AGAIN. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH OUR ABS MAINLY WHEN TRAVELING UNDER 15 MPH, WHEN YOU TRY AND STOP IT GRABS HEAVILY OR SOMETIMES ALMOST NOT AT ALL. JUST LAST YEAR WE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RE-DONE AGAIN AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. WE ONLY TRAVEL 12-14K MILES A YEAR WITH THE VEHICLE AND MOST OF THE DRIVING IS ON COUNTRY ROADS. WE NOTICE IT THE MOST WHEN WE ARE DROPPING THE KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL OR PICKING THEM UP OR PULLING INTO OR OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE JERKING ACTION HAS CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END ASSEMBLY DAMAGE TO THE VAN WHERE WE HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF THOSE PIECES AS WELL. AFTER DUMPING ALMOST $2200 INTO THE VAN AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, THIS IS WHY I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE, CAUSE IT IS DANGERING THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER AROUND US. I BELIEVE IT IS A BAD SENSOR. WE WILL ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ILLINOIS LISA MADIGAN AS THIS IS MORE THAN JUST ONE INCIDENT ACROSS THE U.S. FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL ME ASAP AS WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. IF THE ECONOMY WAS BETTER WE MIGHT OF JUST WENT TO BUY ANOTHER VAN BUT WE ARE LIKE THE REST OF AMERICA AT THIS POINT AND SEE NO POINT IN TRYING TO GET RID OF A VEHICLE THAT PERFORMS WELL EXCEPT FOR THE ABS. WE HAVE RECORDS OF ALL WORK DONE TO THE VAN AND WILL SHARE IF NEED BE. DISSATIFIED VEHICLE OWNER TOM K. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258732

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THERE IS HARSH SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. DEALER FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER AND VALVE BODY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #564840

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2001
Electrical SystemStructure

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED ,AND WOULD NOT ALLOW CONSUMER OUT OF VEHICLE UNTIL SOMEONE ARRIVED WITH A REMOTE UNLOCKING DEVICE. *AK DOOR LOCKS FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BLOWN UP FUSE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #883134

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2001
StructureInjury

SIDE SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM CAN NOT SUPPORT WEIGHT OF DOOR , RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED RELEASE OF SLIDING DOOR WHEN IN THE OPEN POSITION AND PARKED FACING DOWN HILL THE DOOR HAS UNEXPECTEDLY SLAM SHUT , SEVERAL TIMES AND ON TWO OCCASIONS CAUSING MINOR BRUISES PLUS SWOLLEN FINGERS

NHTSA ODI #740109

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

ROBLEMS THAT I HAVE LISTED ARE ONLY THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AND SUCH AS : OIL COLLER INLET, REAR MAIN SEAL, EXTENTION HOUSING LEAKING.MY FRONT END ALIGNMENT WANDERS, PROBLEMS WITH KEYLESS REMOTE AND FACTORY ALARM.ROOF RACK WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, CIGARETTTE LIGHTER FALLS OUT, GLOVE BOX LIGHT SWITC…

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ROBLEMS THAT I HAVE LISTED ARE ONLY THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS AND SUCH AS : OIL COLLER INLET, REAR MAIN SEAL, EXTENTION HOUSING LEAKING.MY FRONT END ALIGNMENT WANDERS, PROBLEMS WITH KEYLESS REMOTE AND FACTORY ALARM.ROOF RACK WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, CIGARETTTE LIGHTER FALLS OUT, GLOVE BOX LIGHT SWITCH DEFECTIVE,RAIDO SPEAKERS NOT PROPERTLY INSTALLLED. WHEN TENSIONER FAILED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END,SO I DECIDED TO GET OFF THE BUSY ROAD TO FIND OUT WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT;I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME ON A BUSY ROAD SPEED LIMIT 45.I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAD TURN AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAD TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT; TO PULL ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITH ALL MY BODY WEIGHT, AND STILL COULDN'T MAKE THE TURN, I HAD TO BACK UP AND TRY TO TURN AGAIN.I CONTINUE TO HAVE FRONTEND,WINDOW,FUEL INJECTION, DOORS NOT WANTING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK PROPERLY AND I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THIS CHEVROLET, ASTRO IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVING. ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE GREATLY APPERICATED. THANK YOU LAURIE HOEKZEMA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715876

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1999
StructureFire

VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. MECHANIC LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING & SHUT DOORS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DOOR AREA & LOCKED IT. BROKE WINDOW TO ENTER & PUT FLAMES OUT. NO WORK BEING DONE ON DOOR AT TIME OF FLAMES. MECHANIC WILL CHECK FOR CAUSE OF FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847444

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

SLIDING DOOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606292

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1998
Structure

SLIDING DOOR ON SIDE OF VEHICLE IN 1997 AND 1998 MODELS DOES NOT HAVE A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE DOOR STAYS OPEN UNTIL NEEDED TO BE SHUT. IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE OR IF SOMEONE USES THE DOOR AS LEVERAGE TO CLIMB INTO THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR SHUTS ON THEM, CAUSING LOSS OF BALANCE AND/OR BEING CRUSHED BY THE DOOR. THE 19…

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SLIDING DOOR ON SIDE OF VEHICLE IN 1997 AND 1998 MODELS DOES NOT HAVE A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE DOOR STAYS OPEN UNTIL NEEDED TO BE SHUT. IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE OR IF SOMEONE USES THE DOOR AS LEVERAGE TO CLIMB INTO THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR SHUTS ON THEM, CAUSING LOSS OF BALANCE AND/OR BEING CRUSHED BY THE DOOR. THE 1996 MODEL HAD A LATCH THAT ENGAGED WHEN THE DOOR WAS FULLY OPENED, AND WAS DISENGAGED BY THE DOOR HANDLE. DEALER STATED THE 1997 AND 1998 WERE DESIGNED WITHOUT THE LATCH. I HAD A 1996 WHICH I TRADED IN BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I TRANSPORT 4 AND 6 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE VAN DAILY. WHEN THEY ARE BOARDING, I AM AT THE SIDE DOOR TO ENSURE IT DOES NOT SLAM ON THEM. WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE SERVICE PERSON THOUGHT THE LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE, AND INDICATED HE COULD FIX IT AT THE 3000 MILE CHECK. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, HE REALIZED THE MODEL MODIFICATIONS. THESE CAUSE A SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE BOARDING PASSENGER TO LOOSE THEIR BALANCE WHEN THE DOOR STARTS CLOSING, OR BE SLAMMED INTO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DOOR SHUTS ON THEM.

NHTSA ODI #700200

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.