1997 Chevrolet Astro: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 360 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (14% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2014
“I bought 4 goodyear wrangler sr-a tires from the sears auto store at 3000 town east mall on 4 november 2013 at approximately 11:50am. The tire description: p2 235\70r15. Three weeks later on about 13 december 2013 the left rear tire completely came a part while driving on lbj freeway westbound at highway 75. My speed was between 60-64 mph. Just three weeks on the road and less than 300 miles on the tires. Has there been any incidents with this tire? Have there been any recalls on this tire? *tr”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2013
“On 4 november 2013, I purchased 4 goodyear wrangler sr-a tires from the sears auto store at 3000 town east mall in mesquite, tx. Approximately three weeks later and less than 300 miles on the tires, the left rear tires completely came a part while driving on lbj freeway westbound in dallas, tx. My approximately speed was between 55-65 mph. Has there been any problems with this tire brand and identification number? *tr”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Just before stopping at an intersection the brake pedal lifted slightly. There was a moaning sound from under the hood on the driver's side and the van drifted into the crosswalk ( lost braking ). I threw it into reverse to stop. After replacing the brake master cylinder, hydro booster, power steering pump and gear and hoses, the problem persisted. I finally found someone with the same problem on an on-line forum who suggested disabling the ABS by pulling the fuse. Problem immediately went away when anti -lock brake was disabled. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro minivan. The contact was driving at very low speeds when the anti brake system failed, causing increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number id: 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock) but the contact was advised by the dealer that his vehicle as not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was approximately 346,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro van. While driving at speeds of 30 mph, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The contact stated the odometer and other unknown lights on the dashboard failed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and advised the contact there was a computer failure in the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by two additional mechanics which advised the contact of the same failure. The contact had not informed the dealer or the manufacturer. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were not available. Updated 07/26/10. *lj updated 08/06/10*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro. While changing one of the tires the contact noticed that the cable which holds the spare tire underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. While the contact was performing his owns repair to replace the cable, it fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 153,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
“I own a 1997 chevy astro van custom. The rear seatbelts do not work in the back benchseat. They haven't worked since we bought the vehicle we have fought and fought to get this issue fixed. The go in with a screwdriver and pop it and say it's ok. It"s not ok> kids sit back there. Or at least they are supposed to. I can't allow anyone to use those seats. I am afraid to get some from the junkyard and for 30,000. I should have working seatbelts. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2008
“Highway traffic suddenly slowed due to an accident ahead. The steel brake line to the rear brakes failed due to excessive rust during an emergency stop on highway. The front brakes were able to safely stop the vehicle with no contact with any other vehicles. Steering was also very difficult during the stop possibly due to ABS action, but no wheel lock ever occurred. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2008
“Auxiliary air conditionr (a/c) rear switch failed/ melted/ smoked. This was the second time in 4 years. Went to the junk yard, and found thet 5 of 5 astro vans with this type switch also were melted/burned. No appearent defect with rear blower motor that would pull excessive amps. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 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, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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.
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.
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
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 1997 Chevrolet Astro reliable?
NHTSA has 360 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Astro. The most complained-about area is visibility (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Astro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Astro have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.