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1988 Chevrolet AstroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 56 owner complaints about the 1988 Chevrolet Astro, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

73
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years63% below the Astro median · #16 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints565 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem14Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 31, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Chevrolet Astro has problems

56 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling143
Steering140
Power train81
Seat belts70
Structure40
Seats30
Tires21
Vehicle speed control20
Visibility20
5 other systems74

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Chevrolet Astro recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 93V-187 · Nov 16, 1993 · 604,207 vehicles

Risk. IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 91V-102 · Jun 14, 1991 · 185 vehicles

Risk. SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN SEAT OCCUPANT, AND COULDINJURE THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Astro year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Astro median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Chevrolet Astro, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR A/C UNITEA88039 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    No recall
  2. POWER STEERING FAILUREEA90023 · closed Apr 30, 1991
    No recall
  3. SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGEEA92022 · closed Nov 19, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-187
  4. REAR AXLE SEAL FAILUREPE89106 · closed Sep 19, 1989
    No recall
  5. POWER STEERING FAILUREPE90028 · closed Apr 16, 1990
    No recall
  6. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
  7. DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILUREPE92015 · closed Jun 24, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Astro owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, BUT WILL BE EASY TO START IT BACK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Complaint 8016867 · Aug 21, 2002
HORSESHOE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS ALL FRONT COMPONENTS OF ENGINE, ONCE BROKEN BRAKES, STEERING AND OTHER COMPONENTS FAILS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Complaint 965237 · May 12, 1995
OVERHEATING OF DOME/INSTRUMENT LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH AND PLUG IN FRONT OF IT CAUGHT FIRE. BURNED PARTS REPLACED. HAPPENED TWICE MORE (WITHOUT FIRE). OVERHEATING IN THIS AREA PERSISTS WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. ONE HEADLIGHT GETS EXTREMELY HOT. BURNED OUT FRONT FAN MOTOR AND A MONTH LATER FUEL PUMP…
Complaint 762846 · Jun 9, 2002

Own a 1988 Astro?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.