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1997 Chevrolet AstroProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 360 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Astro median · #3 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints36047 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage121kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 30, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet Astro has problems

360 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
Service brakes, hydraulic647
Visibility622
Power train530
Steering401
Engine and engine cooling373
Structure321
Fuel system, gasoline310
Vehicle speed control301
Electrical system281
14 other systems12024

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

4 recalls

1997 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

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V-159 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 97V-057 · Apr 8, 1997 · 18,972 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

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

1997 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
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Chevrolet Astro safety ratings

1997 Chevrolet Astro 4x2 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA02006 · closed Jul 23, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-159
In owners' words

What Astro owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10373959 · Jan 3, 2011 · 346,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10227898 · May 15, 2008 · 131,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY AND SHE ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT FAILURE EVER SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE…
Complaint 10210170 · Nov 28, 2007 · 50,888 miles

Own a 1997 Astro?

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