I HAVE A NEW 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH A POWER DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT HAS A LITTLE MOVEMENT UPON TAKE OFF AND STOPPING. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NONE. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING. *JB
2003 Chevrolet Astro
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Astro do not stand out strongly from 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
47 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
62 reportsWHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT INTERFERENCE RECALL 03V328000 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS OR THE TOOLS. CONSUMER CALLED DEALER TWICE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT SINCE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *AK *NM
THE VEHICLE'S RUNNING BOARD IS TO NARROW WHEN CONSUMER GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE HER FOOT SLIPPED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND LEG INJURIES. *NM *LA
DUTCH DOOR LOCKING MECHINISM FAILED AT ABOUT 10000 MILES. IT WAS ALWAYS HARD TO GET THE LOCK TO ENGAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT UNLOCK PREVENTING US FROM USING THE CARGO AREA BEHIND THE BACK SEAT.*AK THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURANCE OF THE LOCK FAILING
OUR 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN HAD A INTERMITTENT VERY BAD SHIMMY COME FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. IT WAS SO BAD THE VAN COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH WITHOUT LOSING CONTROL. THE NEXT 20 TIMES IT WAS DRIVEN IT WOULD WORK FINE. WE FINALLY HAD IT IN TO A DEALER WHO HAD IT HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANIC WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE MECHANIC S…
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OUR 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN HAD A INTERMITTENT VERY BAD SHIMMY COME FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. IT WAS SO BAD THE VAN COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH WITHOUT LOSING CONTROL. THE NEXT 20 TIMES IT WAS DRIVEN IT WOULD WORK FINE. WE FINALLY HAD IT IN TO A DEALER WHO HAD IT HAPPEN TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANIC WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS A BAD BALL JOINT THAT HAD TO BE THAT WAY WHEN IT LEFT THE FACTORY. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VAN FOR 3 WEEKS AS THEY SAY THE PART IS BACK ORDERED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VANS AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW IF GM IS GOING TO RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM? ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN WHEN IT DID IT TO HER AND IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN TO OTHERE.*AK
EARLIER TODAY I HAD MY WIFE TAKE IN OUR 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD NOT RESET. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT CAME ON AND THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT RESET BY ITSELF. WHILE THERE I ASKED HER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SEPT. 2, 2003 RECALL OF THE ASTRO VAN FOR A FRONT SUSPENSION DEFECT. RECALL NUMBER 03044. THE DEALERSHI…
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EARLIER TODAY I HAD MY WIFE TAKE IN OUR 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD NOT RESET. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT CAME ON AND THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT RESET BY ITSELF. WHILE THERE I ASKED HER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SEPT. 2, 2003 RECALL OF THE ASTRO VAN FOR A FRONT SUSPENSION DEFECT. RECALL NUMBER 03044. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE SEARCHED BY USING OUR VIN. THE SEARCH CAME BACK WITH NO RECALL. I RESEARCHED THE RECALL ON THE NHTSA AND CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURERS 800 NUMBER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO FIND OUT IF WE WOULD BE INCLUDED. I SPOKE WITH AN OPERATOR BY THE NAME OF ANGELA. SHE DID A QUICK SEARCH AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ALSO. I DISCLOSED TO HER THAT I WAS LOOKING AT THE RECALL AT THAT MOMENT ON THE NHTSA WEB SIGHT. SHE THEN RESTATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VAN BUT SHE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. ALL I WANTED TO KNOW WAS IF MY VAN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CHEVROLET TRACKS THEIR VEHICLES. THEY KNOW WHAT PARTS ARE ON WHICH VANS. THEY EVEN KNOW WHO BOUGHT THEM AND WHERE THEY ARE. NOW THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE IF MY VAN IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY BECAUSE THIS IS A VAN THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE IN. IS THERE SOME SORT OF CODE, RULE, OR LAW THAT THEY ARE BREAKING ABOUT NOT DISCLOSING THIS TO THERE CONSUMERS? PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, BRETT SPINDLER 702-644-4671. *LA
WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED AROUND A CORNER, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT TURN FAR ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO BACK UP, AND THEN PULL IN. *JB
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
CONTINUED FROM MY ORIGINAL COMPLAIT ABOVE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR "SLIDING DOOR FAILURE TO LOCK IN THE OPEN POSITION". DOOR CAN BE CLOSED WITH FINGER PRESSURE AGAINST THE DOOR. ON A SLIGHT DECLINE, DOOR WILL UNLATCH FROM ITS LOCKED OPEN POSITION AND SLAM SHUT. I HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE HOLD IT OPEN DURING ENTRY AND EXITIN…
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CONTINUED FROM MY ORIGINAL COMPLAIT ABOVE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR "SLIDING DOOR FAILURE TO LOCK IN THE OPEN POSITION". DOOR CAN BE CLOSED WITH FINGER PRESSURE AGAINST THE DOOR. ON A SLIGHT DECLINE, DOOR WILL UNLATCH FROM ITS LOCKED OPEN POSITION AND SLAM SHUT. I HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE HOLD IT OPEN DURING ENTRY AND EXITING ON A DRIVEWAY WITH A SLIGHT DECLINE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE DESIGN HAS CHANGED AND IT DOES NOT LOCK LIKE THE OLDER ASTRO'S. SOMEONE NOT AWARE OF THIS WILL HAVE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AND IT COULD SLAM SHUT ON SOMEONE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFTEY ISSUE. SOMEONE MUST LOOK INTO THIS AND GET GM TO CREATE A SB TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ANGLE OR PRESSURE REQUIRED FOR THE DOOR TO STAY LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION?
Official recalls
103V328000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Sep 12, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS HAVE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT RUBBER BOOT AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE (BOTH LEFT/RIGHT SIDES), WHICH COULD RESULT IN CUTTING OF THE BOOT THAT IS INTENDED TO SEAL THE BALL JOINT. IF THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WERE CUT, CONTAMINATION FROM THE ROAD (SALT, DIRT, WATER, ETC.) COULD ENTER THE BALL SOCKET AREA OF THE BALL JOINT CAUSING THE JOINT TO WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE STEERING KNUCKLE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, DROPPING DOWN THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE COIL SPRING WOULD PUSH THE CONTROL ARM DOWN INTO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, CREATING A DRAG THAT WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE IF FORCES RESULTING FROM THE WHEEL'S DRAGGING ACTION WERE SUFFICIENT TO FRACTURE THE TIE ROD END AND UPPER BALL JOINT CONNECTIONS. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL'S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE, RESULTING IN LOST BRAKING PERFORMANCE FROM THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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