Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 57 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports7 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
57 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2000
Tires
THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL . I WAS TRAVLING SOUTHBOUND ON HWY 99 WHEN THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. I WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SKID AND SLIDE ENOUGH TO GET STOPPED IN THE CENTER DIVIDER OF THE HWY. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE, EVEN AFTER SLIDING FORWARD A…
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THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL . I WAS TRAVLING SOUTHBOUND ON HWY 99 WHEN THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. I WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SKID AND SLIDE ENOUGH TO GET STOPPED IN THE CENTER DIVIDER OF THE HWY. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE, EVEN AFTER SLIDING FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS, HOWEVER IT DID THROW MOST FO THE TREAD OFF . THE CHP HAD TWO UNITS RESPOND FROM PASSERBY CALL IN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER, THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, FOR THEIR SCRUTINIZATION.( DOT NUMBER: HYUL R5A TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #731632
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Electrical SystemFireInjury
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SMOKE, ONCE THE HOOD WAS OPENED THEY FOUND THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE CONSUMER RECEIVED BURNS TO THE FACE. NLM
POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE OFF THE BASE. ALSO, STEERING BELT BROKE. IN ADDITION, AIR CONDITIONER BELT/ ALTERNATOR AND ABS BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864075
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2000
Unknown Or Other
PEELING PAINT ON TOP, FRONT AND SOME ON ALL SIDES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721805
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE BOLTS SHEERING AT POWER STEERING UNIT MOUNTING PLATE, THUS STEERING UNIT FLEXES FORWARD ,SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, LOSS OF STEERING, ALTERNATOR, COOLING SYSTEM, AND A/C OCCOURS. THIS WAS MENTIONED TO LOCAL MECHANICS AT DEALERSHIP, THEY STATE THIS OCCOURS OFTEN WITH THIS VEHICLE TYPE.
NHTSA ODI #715627
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 1999
Steering
SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED ABOUT ONCE A YEAR. CURRENTLY IT HAS BECOME LOOSE FOR THE SECOND TIME AND WILL NEED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #715552
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Unknown Or Other
I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE FORM FOR A PAINT DEFECT, BUT ICOULD FIND NO OTHER COMPLAINT FORM ON YOUR WEBSITE. MY COMPLAINT IS PROMPTED BY A RECENT ARTICLE IN CONSUMER REPORTS THAT MENTIONS A PAINT DEFECT IN 1988-1992 CHEVROLETS THAT DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM; IT REFERENCES BULLETIN 331708, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT …
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I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE FORM FOR A PAINT DEFECT, BUT ICOULD FIND NO OTHER COMPLAINT FORM ON YOUR WEBSITE. MY COMPLAINT IS PROMPTED BY A RECENT ARTICLE IN CONSUMER REPORTS THAT MENTIONS A PAINT DEFECT IN 1988-1992 CHEVROLETS THAT DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM; IT REFERENCES BULLETIN 331708, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND CANNOT FIND IT ON YOUR WEBSITE. THE PAINT ON THE CARGO DOOR OF OUR VAN 7 OR 8 YEARS AGO BEGAN FADING BADLY, UNLIKE THE REST OF THE VAN, WHICH LOOKS FINE. WE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER, CHEVROLET, AND GM, BUT ONLY GOT FORM LETTER RESPONSES THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING AS THE WARRANTED HAD EXPIRED. THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS PAINT PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR ONLY; I SENT A PHOTO AS WELL, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DEALER HAS CHANGED HANDS SEVERAL TIMES; IT WAS ORIGINALLY CARPENTERS CHEVROLET. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE.
NHTSA ODI #713120
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE SAME BOLTS HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE GOES OUT, INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MY WIFE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THIS ONE, CARRYING OUR THREE SMALL CHILDREN WITH HER. SINCE WE BOUGHT THE …
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE SAME BOLTS HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE GOES OUT, INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MY WIFE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THIS ONE, CARRYING OUR THREE SMALL CHILDREN WITH HER. SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, FROM A COUPLE, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DURING THE REPAIR OF THE SECOND INCIDENT, WE FOUND 2 BRAND NEW BELTS UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF THE VAN, ASSUMING THE COUPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WE'RE EXPERIENCING. PLEASE ADVICE. THIS IS GETTING COSTLY AND AT THIS POINT WE WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY PRODUCT AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707184
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1999
Steering
DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC HOSE WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE PART WILL FAIL AND NEEDS TO REPLACED EVERY 12- 15 MONTHS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838561
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1998
Seat Belts
WHILE TRAVELLING IN OUR '89 CHEVY ASTRO MINIVAN THE SEATBELTS (LAP BELTS IN THE MIDDLE AND REAR SEATS) SEEM TO EASILY BECOME LOOSE AS OUR CHILDREN SQUIRM AROUND WHILE DRIVING (IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH MOVEMENT ON THEIR PART IN ORDER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN). WE OFTEN NEED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO RE-TIGHTEN THEIR…
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WHILE TRAVELLING IN OUR '89 CHEVY ASTRO MINIVAN THE SEATBELTS (LAP BELTS IN THE MIDDLE AND REAR SEATS) SEEM TO EASILY BECOME LOOSE AS OUR CHILDREN SQUIRM AROUND WHILE DRIVING (IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH MOVEMENT ON THEIR PART IN ORDER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN). WE OFTEN NEED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO RE-TIGHTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS. WE FEEL THAT THIS ASPECT IS HIGHLY UNSAFE.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
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