1996 Chevrolet Van

1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY INTERSTATE 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND GOT THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND OFF OF THE ROAD, MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE LEARNED THAT IT WAS A TORSION BAR AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT THE DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN 1997. THEREFORE WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AT A COST OF OVER 1,000 DOLLARS. IT IS STILL MAKING A NOISE AND I DON'T FEEL IT IS RELIABLE. *NLM

PRIOR TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON JULY 29, 2001, THERE IS MINIMUM OF NINE DOCUMENTED SERVICE REPORTS WITH THE DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS BEGINNING IN MAY OF 1997. TO DATE, THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THERE IS SEVERE PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEEL VIBRATION UPON QUICK OR HEAVY APPLIANCE OF BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM THE BEGINNING; THUS, THE FRONT BRAKES MUST HANDLE THE LOAD. THE FRONT BRAKE LINING MUST BE REPLACE EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE BACK BRAKE LINING HAS BEEN REPLACED ONLY ONCE. THE DEALER INDICATED THE RECENT BRAKE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE ROTARS RUSTING AND SPLITTING IN HALF (A FIRST THEY SAY). THIS OCCURRED ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE BRAKES AGAIN! THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN NOV. OF 1997, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FEB. 2000, THE IDLER ARMS (WHICH CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES) HAD TO BE REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2000 AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN FEB. 2001 (AGAIN AFFECTING TIRE WEAR, ALIGNMENT, ETC), TORTION BARS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FEB. 2001, ENGINE LEAK HAD TO BE ADDRESSED IN FEB. 2001. HARSH SHIFTING AND JERKING OF VEHICLE LET TO FAULTY TCC SOLENOID & HARNESS ASSY AND PINION SEAL REPLACEMENT IN APRIL 2001. THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY AND TO THE OCCUPANTS. THE DEALER PERSONALLY CALLED CHEVROLET IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISCUSS A BUY BACK OR CREDIT. THEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. APPARENTLY, SOMEONE HAS TO DIE FIRST. RETAIL ON THIS VEHICLE IS $12,800. THE DEALER IS OFFERING $8,000 BECAUSE HE IS AFRAID TO SELL IT OFF HIS LOT BUT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO AUCTION. I AM SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR CHEVROLET'S ENGINEERING AND DEFECT PROBLEMS EITHER MONETARILY OR WITH MY LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. HELP!*AK