IllustrationSLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OPEN. CAN BE PUSHED CLOSED FROM THE LOCKED OPEN POSIITON WITH ONE FINGER. ON A SLIGHT DECLINE THE DOOR WILL UNLATCH, AND SLAM SHUT.
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
70–25K
1125–50K
1150–75K
875–100K
5100–150K
5150K+
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.
3 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
62 reportsWHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND VEHICLE BODY SHIFTS BACK TO REST A SECOND BUMP CAN BE FELT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN LATE -OR- WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED DOWN FROM 3RD GEAR, LIKE FROM 45 MPH OR SO TO 0 MPH, AND STOPPED FOR MORE THAN SAY 5 SECONDS, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDEL …
Read full complaint
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND VEHICLE BODY SHIFTS BACK TO REST A SECOND BUMP CAN BE FELT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN LATE -OR- WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED DOWN FROM 3RD GEAR, LIKE FROM 45 MPH OR SO TO 0 MPH, AND STOPPED FOR MORE THAN SAY 5 SECONDS, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDEL IS RELEASED A BUMP CAN BE FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING INTO 1ST VERY LATE. IT FEELS LIKE A VEHICLE TAPPED YOU FROM BEHIND.
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.