1990 Chevrolet Astro

Routine

Owners filed 68 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip24
400
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash4
030
Unknown or Other3
000
Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and Attachment3
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3
001
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Structure › Body2
000
Steering › Column2
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust2
000
Seats2
101

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Seats93V187000
Filed Nov 16, 1993604,207 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage91V164000
Filed Sep 20, 19914,842 vehiclesSherrod Vans, Inc.

Defect. SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Risk. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy. REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage91V102000
Filed Jun 14, 1991185 vehiclesAsc Colamco

Defect. THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT AND MID-SHIP SEATS DID NOT REST ON PELVIS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.

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

Remedy. RELOCATE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO ADJUST BELTS FOR SEAT LOCATIONS.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings90V146000
Filed Aug 13, 199030,640 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING, CAUSING A LEAKAGE OF FUEL.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A FUEL RETURN LINE SEPARATION, A FUELLEAK OCCURRING IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy. INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Apr 2, 2008182,083 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Apr 19, 200450,000 milesMI

THE DRIVER'S SEAT UNDERSIDE FRAME TRACK RUNNERS THAT ATTACH TO THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTORIZED SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO MAINTAIN ITS PROPER FUNCTION. THE RIGHT SIDE RUNNER WAS MADE FROM AN ALLUMINUM ALLOY AND THE LEFT SIDE RUNNER WAS MADE FROM A STEEL ALLOY. THE STEEL ALLOY HAS HELD UP AND MAINTAINED ITS POSITION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. HOWEVER, THE ALLUMINUM ALLOY RUNNER ON THE LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AND LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SEVERLY LEAN TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND BACK. ALONG WITH THE CURRENT SAFTEY RECALLS ABOUT THE INTERAL FRAME OF THE SEAT DESIGN. OTHER 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS THAT HAVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM COULD HAVE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY, IF NOT A FATALITY UPON EVEN A MODERATELY LOWSPEED COLLISION FROM ANY DIRECTION. IN 1993, WE BROUGHT THE VAN BACK TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS ACCURED ONCE AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURERS PART DESIGN HAS A CLEAR DEFECT.*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Apr 11, 2002CA

VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED INTO A CONVERSION VAN. DRIVER'S SEAT BUSTED AND FELL BACKWARDS. *AK THE PART WHICH SUPPORTS THE BACK OF THE SEAT FAILED. *JG

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Feb 15, 2002WA

HAD PLACED CHILD SEAT IN VEHICLE, THREADED SEAT BELT THROUGH AND LOCKED IT. SEAT BELT FAILED TO BE CINCHED TIGHT ENOUGH TO KEEP CHILD SEAT FROM TIPPING OVER WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 25, 2001CA

ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN APPLIED. CAN HEAR ABS MOTOR CATCHING AND THEN RELEASING. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER.*AK

Tires
Filed Feb 24, 2001AZ

TIRE BUBLED TO ABOUT TWICE NORMAL SIZE ON ABOUT HALF OF TIRE. (TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 29, 2000PA

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY CAUSED A THUMPING SOUND, AND BRAKES WOULD MOMENTARILY LOCK UP AT A STOP POSITION. ALSO, SUDDEN STOP WOULD CAUSE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AS WELL. ALL CONDITIONS WOULD HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON 3-4 OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 10, 2000CA

IN DRIVING AROUND TOWN I'VE NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALMOST EVERY OLDER VAN. I HAVE AN "84" PICK-UP AND I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 2000GA

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING TO BACK THE VAN UP OUT OF THE GARAGE. IT WAS IN "PARK". HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND AS SOON AS THE VAN STARTED, IT BACKED UP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK. IT WENT SEVERAL FEET BEFORE MY HUSBAND HAS TO STOP IT BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. IF A CHILD HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE "TORQUE - CONVERTER". I WILL NEVER DRIVE THE VAN AGAIN. I REALIZE THE VAN HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG WITH A VEHICLE THAT OLD, BUT I CAR POOL SMALL CHILDREN. IT THAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME AT SCHOOL, I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE'S CHILD. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT OUR MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN TO HIM ONE TIME. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › WebbingCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 5, 2000CA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HIT BLACK PIECE OF ICE, SWERVED AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT FAILED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft PitmanCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 5, 2000CA

SHOULDER STRAP FAILED AS RESULT HIT FACE ON STEERING WHEEL. TWENTY STITCHES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Mar 8, 2000CA

WHILE DRIVING HEARD CLICKING NOISE, VEHICLE STOPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. BY THE TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 8, 2000WV

STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING FLUID EXPULSION/ DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 4, 1999CA

ABS FAILURE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 1999IL

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND HAS STAYED ON SINCE THEN. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE THE ABS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jul 22, 1999IL

CAN I REQUEST THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL OF CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS FOR ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

Seats
Filed Jul 19, 1999KY

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SEAT BROKE FROM THE BOTTOM AND FELL BACK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Apr 21, 1999CA

THE BATTERY & THE ALTERNATOR JUST WENT DEAD, AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO BRITTS TIRE SERVICE IN BETHLEHEM PA. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jan 25, 1999WA

INSTALLED A 15A FUSE INTO FUSE HOLDER FOR FACTORY FOG LAMPS AND TURNED ON FACTORY SWITCH AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER DASH BY WIRING HARNESS. WHEN SEEN SMOKE, TURNED OFF THE FOG LIGHTS. NO BURN MARKS SEEN. TRIED STANDARD HEADLIGHTS, THEY DON'T WORK. TRIED TO START VEHICLE, NO START. BATTERY WENT DEAD. CHECKED SWITCH FOR HEADLAMPS. CONTACT POINTS BURNED. FUSE DID NOT BLOW WHEN SMOKE HAPPENED. 15A FACTORY SPEC. 15A INSTALLED. NO OTHER FUSE'S BLEW EITHER. TOOK TO AUTO ELECTRIC SHOP. INVESTIGATING. BRYANS AUTOMOTIVE OLYMPIA, WA (360)459-7235. ALL OTHER POWER ITEMS STILL APPEAR TO FUNCTION. CL MODEL ASTRO. 2 DR AWD. GM NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM! *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 14, 1998AR

THE PAINT STARTED TO BUBBLE ABOUT A YR AFTER WE HAD BOUGHT THE VAN. THEN AFTER THE PAINT BUBBLED IT JUST PEELED OFF. WE FINALLY SANDED THE HOOD & PUT PRIMER ON IT, THE REST OF THE BODY IS DOING THE SAME. WE CAN'T WASH IT WITHOUT THE PAINT COMING OFF! PLEASE HELP!!!!!

20 of 68 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20059200Routine
200414210Routine
200362330Routine
200270334Fatalities reported
200191310Routine
2000175230Routine
1999133420Routine
1998241670Above average
1997360770Above average
1996263710Above average
1995446764Fatalities reported
1994328631Fatalities reported
1993135540Routine
1992132562Fatalities reported
199195640Routine
1990 — this page68760Routine

Compare every Astro year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.