1990 Chevrolet Astro: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (43% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tire bubled to about twice normal size on about half of tire. (tiresize: p205/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/75r15 )”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2001
“While driving heard clicking noise, vehicle stopped and caught on fire. By the time fire department arrived car was totaled. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2000
“While driving down the road, hit black piece of ice, swerved and hit a tree. Driver's side shoulder belt failed. As a result, driver's face hit the steering wheel. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Installed a 15a fuse into fuse holder for factory fog lamps and turned on factory switch and smoke came from under dash by wiring harness. When seen smoke, turned off the fog lights. No burn marks seen. Tried standard headlights, they don't work. Tried to start vehicle, no start. Battery went dead. Checked switch for headlamps. Contact points burned. Fuse did not blow when smoke happened. 15a factory spec. 15a installed. No other fuse's blew either. Took to auto electric shop. Investigating. Bryans automotive olympia, wa (360)459-7235. All other power items still appear to function. Cl model astro. 2 dr awd. Gm needs to investigate problem! *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 1999
“Steering wheel tilt was loose, consumer tightened it. Vibration causes the bolts to come out when driving 60-65 mph. Dealer contacted and is aware of the problem. Incident occurred three times. Then a lock washer was applied. Also steering column was replaced, problem still exists. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Nov 1998
“The door latch on the front driver's side door on longer works. Passenger side sliding side door sticks in the closed position.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 1998
“Can I request that my vehicle should be included in the current recall of chevrolet astro vans for ABS brake failure. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 1998
“The inside of the van burned up while being parked overnight. The fire marshall stated the light switch malfunctioned and caused the van to burn. The van has been totalled. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 1998
“The owner of vehicle's wife was driving the vehicle about 30 mph in a stop and go traffic. At one point the person in front of consumer stopped, but consumer said: she had enough space in front of her to stop vehicle. When she stepped on the brake pedal to stop, vehicle kept rolling without stopping,and crashed into the front vehicle on incline hill. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1998
“When applying brakes, they caused a thumping sound, and brakes would momentarily lock up at a stop position. Also, sudden stop would cause rear wheels to lock up as well. All conditions would happen intermittently. Vehicle been to a independent repair shop on 3-4 occasions, and was unable to duplicate the problem.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT AND MID-SHIP SEATS DID NOT REST ON PELVIS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Remedy: RELOCATE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO ADJUST BELTS FOR SEAT LOCATIONS.
FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.
Remedy: INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Astro by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Astro reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Chevrolet Astro. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Chevrolet Astro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 116,042 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Chevrolet Astro have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.