IllustrationINTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
1996 Chevrolet Astro
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Astro years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Astro years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 22 of 263 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.
- Suspension. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
33 reportsSPEED SENSOR WIRES ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PADS. BRAKE PADS RUB ON THEM, CAUSING THEM TO WEAR OUT. *AK
FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, THIS ONE HAS FAR TOO MANY EQUIPMENT FAILURES. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS CAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON BY MOST PEOPLE. WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT THE BRAKES WOULD SLOW YOU DOWN AND AT 10 MPH AS YOU WERE APPROACHING THE STOP OR THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR, THEY WOULD FAIL TO STOP YOU COMPLETELY…
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FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, THIS ONE HAS FAR TOO MANY EQUIPMENT FAILURES. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THIS CAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON BY MOST PEOPLE. WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT THE BRAKES WOULD SLOW YOU DOWN AND AT 10 MPH AS YOU WERE APPROACHING THE STOP OR THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR, THEY WOULD FAIL TO STOP YOU COMPLETELY. THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR AGREED TO FIX THAT. NEXT THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY IT WOULD THROW THE CUPS OUT OF THE HOLDERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VAN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THEM. ONLY 10,000 MILES LATER WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED AGAIN AS THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN. THEY UNJUSTLY ACCUSED ME OF RIDING THE BRAKES, WHICH I DO NOT DO. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT DISC BRAKES. I REQUESTED THAT THEY DO THAT THE FIRST TIME AND THE REFUSED TO DO SO. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE, NOR HAVE THEY MADE MUCH EFFORT TO FIND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RELAY. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY CHILDRENS SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THE NUMBER OF NUMEROUS FAILURES OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT ON THIS ONE VEHICLE. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DRIVER REAREND VEHICLE IN FRONT WITH A 35MPH - 40 MPH IMPACT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION AND INJURIES. *AK
WE BOUGHT THIS VAN AS A CONVERSION VAN. WE HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE PEROFRMANCE OF THE VAN. WE HAVE HAD THE AIRCONDITING REPAIRED TWICE. THE BATTERY FAILED MANY TIMES. ONE TIME THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CLONKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING THAT THE DEALER CAN IDENTIFY. THE TIRES WORE OUT JUST AFTER THEY …
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WE BOUGHT THIS VAN AS A CONVERSION VAN. WE HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE PEROFRMANCE OF THE VAN. WE HAVE HAD THE AIRCONDITING REPAIRED TWICE. THE BATTERY FAILED MANY TIMES. ONE TIME THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CLONKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING THAT THE DEALER CAN IDENTIFY. THE TIRES WORE OUT JUST AFTER THEY WERE A YEAR OLD. THE VAN HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NUMEROUS OTHER REPAIRS.( DOT NUMBER: )
THE FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO WORK PROPERLY (WHEELS LOCK UP), HAS CAUSED ME TO SLIDE INTO AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST GET BROADSIDED, AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO NEARLY SLIDE INTO A TRUCK IN A PARKING LOT. THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE TURNED 7 TIMES - 6 IN THE LAST 13 MONTHS. THE BRAKES WILL PULSATE BECAUSE THE ROTORS WARP…
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THE FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO WORK PROPERLY (WHEELS LOCK UP), HAS CAUSED ME TO SLIDE INTO AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST GET BROADSIDED, AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO NEARLY SLIDE INTO A TRUCK IN A PARKING LOT. THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE TURNED 7 TIMES - 6 IN THE LAST 13 MONTHS. THE BRAKES WILL PULSATE BECAUSE THE ROTORS WARP ABOUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. *AK
RANDOM FAILURE OF POWER BOOSTER ON BRAKING SYSTEM. COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK
BRAKES FAILED INTERMITTANTLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE BRAKING, REPLACED ALL PARTS OF BRAKING SYSTEM WITH LITTLE OR NO IMPROVEMENT.
ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. . *AK
Official recalls
403V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
01V123000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices
Apr 10, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF 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.
99V009000 · Child Seat
Jan 20, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.
97V057000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Apr 8, 1997
THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.