1998 Chevrolet Astro: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 241 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (19% 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 241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that he began to drive in reverse and the speedometer failed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic where they stated that fuel leaked from the wiring harness and into the engine computer. In addition, the engine computer and the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph he depressed the brake pedal but the brakes would not respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake line was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro van. The contact was driving 40 mph when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 92,349. Updated 04/27/12*lj updated 04/27/12”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. The book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. This system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction. None of this worked on the van. *kb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that the built- in diagnostic system was defective and did not provide warning that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the head gasket failed and caused engine coolant to leak into the motor abnormally. The engine motor and the intake gaskets would both need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised the contact that the built-in diagnostic system was not operating due to the vehicle's age. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 92,000. Updated 08-07-12 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2012
“1998 chevrolet astro van, unit 1 was traveling west on ir 80 in the right lane. Unit 1 went off the right side of the roadway, over corrected, and went spinning 270 degrees and went off the left side of the roadway and struck the median barrier. The driver changed his story and said his tire blew out and lost control of the vehicle. *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0293-90)*jb updated 08/11/11*lj updated 08/12/11*jb updated 08/16/11”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The driver stated that the windshield wiper circuit board causes the wipers not to function properly. If visibility is reduced while driving the risk for vehicle crash and serious injury are increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the windshield wiper motor was repaired. He contacted the manufacture and was informed by a representative that there were no existing recalls for his year make and model.. The failure mileage was 129,877. The current mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that there was a short circuit in the electric switch for the outside side view mirror. The failure caused heat damage that ignited a fire in the driver side door. The entire van was engulfed in flames. The fire occurred in the driveway of the contact's residence. A police report was filed and no one was injured. The fire department extinguished the fire. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stop working without warning. The failure occurs intermittently. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. While driving 10 mph the antilock brake system activated and the contact had to swerve to avoid striking another vehicle. The failure occurred without warning when braking at low speeds. The manufacturer stated that this vehicle was not included in the recall and will not pay for the repair. The current mileage is 88,000, and failure mileage was 85,000*ak.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 31 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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.
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.
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 1998 Chevrolet Astro reliable?
NHTSA has 241 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Astro. The most complained-about area is visibility (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Astro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Astro have open recalls?
6 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.