1996 Chevrolet Astro complaints

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY DURING OPERATION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK. CONSUMER STATES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL 98043 ON ALL CHEVROLET VEHICLES.*JB

FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED WHILE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *MJ

A METALLIC NOISE WAS HEARD FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STEERING WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. CONSUMER FOUND THE STEERING MECHANISM HAD COME UNDONE, THAT THE BOLT AND NUT HAD COME UNSCREWED AND THE STEERING ARM UNCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER HOWEVER, FOUND BROKEN IDLER STEERING ARM AND LOOSE UPPER BALL JOINTS, DEALER ALSO STATED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CENTER OF RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. THIS WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, CHEVROLET, ASTRO.*AK GENERAL AMERI TECH ST,P215/75R15, DOT NUMBER A3HFC01176. *SLC

POWER ASSIST:HYDROBOOST UNIT WILL CONTINUE TO GO OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPPENS VEHICLE WILL LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK. *JB

LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR FAILED AND VEHICLE'S FRONT END DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN CHANGE THAT REQUIRED BOTH LEFT AND FRONT TORSION BARS TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE VAN COLLAPSED, AN ENGINE OIL LINE WAS DAMAGED. TOTAL COST: $891.47. DESIGN CHANGE INDICATES THAT ENGINEERING WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DESIGNED A MORE ROBUST TORSION BAR. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, AND YET I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, NO MATTER HOW OLD THE VEHICLE. ONE WOULD NOT REASONABLY EXPECT THE FRAME OF A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. LIKEWISE, ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT FAILURE OF TORSION BARS THAT SUPPORT THE VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. IF MOVING, TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT.*AK

WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS NEW I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ENGINE, NORTHSTAR CHEVROLET PUT IN NEW FUEL INJECTORS AT THAT TIME, BUT STATED THAT ALL ASTRO RAN THE SAME AS MINE, NO POWER AND HESITATION. NOW I FIND OUT THE FUEL INJECTORS LEAK, BREAKING DOWN THE OIL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. CHEVY WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ONE DEALER WHO KEEPS THE V6 VORTEC IN STOCK BECAUSE HE SELLS SO MANY OF THEM. CHEVY WANTS HEART CHEVROLET TO TEAR MY ENGINE APART BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING AND THEN IT WILL PROBLABLY ONLY ABOUT 20% OF A NEW ENGINE. I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS AND DON'T MISTREAT THEM. I WORK FOR A GARAGE. PLEASE HELP.*AK

TORSION BAR BROKE AND FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED ABOUT 5 INCHES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, LEFT DRIVERS SIDE TORSION BAR BROKE, CAUSING FRONT END TO DROP ABOUT 4 INCHES, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER INSISTED THAT CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BARS.*AK *NLM

ON TWO OCCASIONS, VEHICLE ALMOST LOST STEERING, DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE IDLE ARM, CONSUMER STATES IDLE ARM FAILS EVERY 20000 MILES. *SLC

WHEN I BACKED MY VAN UP TO LEAVE FOR WORK , THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS SITTING ON THE TIRE & IT WAS MAKING A RUBBING SOUND. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED & EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE TORSION BAR WAS BROKE THE REPLACE BOTH. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $560. I AM JUST THANKFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN 2 WEEKS SOONER WHEN I WAS ON A TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH, WITH MY SISTER & OUR CHILDREN WITH US. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO MORE COMPLAINTS AFTER THE 1996"S. I WILL ASSUME THAT CHEVY REPLACED THE PART FINALLY. I COUNT 80 COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE, INVOLVING 92'S THROUGH 96'S. HOW MANY MORE ARE OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED? I THINK CHEVY KNEW IT HAD A BAD PART, & THEY SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS.*AK

WHILE IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND, WITH A VERY LOUD CRASHING SOUND. THE TORSION BAR BROKE.

WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT THE FIRST TIME AT 39,000 GM REPLACED IT . THE TOLD US WITH A REBUILT TRANSMSSION AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS IN IT FIXED. THEN AT 59,00 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. WE HAD CONTACTED SPITZER AUTOWORLD AT ABOUT 31,000 THAT WE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GRINDING TILL IT WARMED UP THEN IT QUIT. THEY SAID IT WOULDNT DO ANY GOOD TO BRING IT IN TILL IT WAS DOING IT ALL THE TIME WHICH IT WASNT SO WE DIDNT TAKE IT IN. THEN WHEN IT WENT OUT COMPLETLY AND WE CALLED THEM THEY DONT WANT TO FIX IT. THEY DONT WANT TO MAKE NO COMPENSATION AT ALL FOR IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE PERSON WHO REPAIRED IT ORGINALLY AND HE SAID THE CLUTCHES ARE OUT AGAIN WHICH WAS THE SAME PROBLEM IT HAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WAS AT SPITZER WHEN WE FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM IS GONE FROM THERE AND THE WOMEN WE STARTED WORKING WITH THIS TIME IS GONE. SO WE ARE THINKING MAYBE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE LEAVING GM HAS NOT BEEN TOLD THE WHOLE STORY BUT THE REPRESENTIVE HAS SAID NO TO THE CLAIM AND THEY SAID ONCE HE SAYS NO THAT IS THE FINAL WORD. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AGAIN ALREADY UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS! THEY MUST BE DEFECTIVE CAUSE THE PRIOR ASTRO VAN WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DO THE SAME THING TILL IT WARMED UP BUT THANK GOD WE TRADED IT OFF BEFORE IT WENT OUT. PLEASE HELP US. IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. WE HAVE ALSO HAD WINDSHILED WIPERS GO OUT POWER WINDOWS TIRES REPLACED THREE T

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A PART IN THE TRANSFER CASE CALLED A VISCOUS CLUTCH. THAT WHEN IT FAILS THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL ON ANY DEGREE OF AN INCLINE WHILE IN PARK. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE CHEVROLET HOT LINE AND SEVERAL SERVICE WRITERS, AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE BASICALLY NOT RECIEVED THE SLIGHTEST CONCERN FROM ANYONE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. WHO DOESN'T COUNT ON ANY CAR [WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION] WHILE IN PARK NOT TO ROLL. I HATE TO IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITES. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I WILL GLADLY MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. I WOULD CERTAINLY HATE TO READ ABOUT A ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS DESIGN OVER SIGHT. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, IT SOUNDS AS IF AN EXPLOSION OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES, AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS TWICE. ALSO, FOUND A SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP. HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THE LAST INCIDENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT AND SOMETIMES GOES TO THE FLOOR, THE CALIPERS BREAK AND CAUSE A LOUD NOISE, CONSUMER STATES BRAKING POWER HAS BEEN LOST ON THREE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE STALLED ON ONE OCCASION. CONSUMER NO LONGER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. LEFT SIDE DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE, DEALER REPLACED THE ACTUATOR. RIGHT SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLTS LOOSE CAUSING NOISE, LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING U BOLT MISPOSITIONED HITTING AXLE TUBE, CAUSING KNOCKING NOISE. *SLC

AFTER DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, AND FOUND OUT THAT FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS LOWER, AND TIRES DOWN ON WHEELS. NEXT DAY, TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED TORSION BAR SPRING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK ABOUT A HALF HOUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN, THE CONSUMER WAS STARTLED BY A LOUD BANG, AFTER VEIWING THE VAN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END WAS ABOUT 9 INCHES LOWER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. NLM

WHILE STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN BRAKES WILL MAKE SOME NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WITH PROBLEM BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORSE. AT TIMES, WILL WORK ON HIGHEST SPEED, THEN AT OTHER TIMES, WILL FAIL COMPLETELY.*AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVLEING AT 30 MPH TORSION BAR SNAPPED. BODY FRAME OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK DEALER COVERED 50 PERCENT OF REPLACEMENT COSTS, CONSUMER HAS OLD PARTS FOR REVIEW. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH TORSION BAR SNAPPED WHICH CAUSED WHOLE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE, AND FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE TORION BAR HAS BEEN REDESIGNED ON NEW VEHICLES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING 65-70MPH DOWN HILL SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FELL OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUT DOWN. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE TILTED TO PASSENGER'S SIDE AND FRAME RESTED ON WHEEL. TOWED TO DEALER; HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TORSION BARS. NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK

FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE, CAUSING FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN TO GROUND. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF IT.*AK

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISION SLAMING HARD INTO 2ND GREAR AFTER MODERATE DRIVING WITH THE AC OR DEFROST ON. I HAVE TALKED WITH A FRIEND WHO IS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

DOORS IN BACK OF VEHICLE BROKE FROM TOP OF HANDLE TO BOTTOM OF HANDLE. HANDLE WAS DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AFTER BEING INTERMITENT. *AK

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AND LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP. DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THESE PARTS WERE KEPT IN STOCK BECAUSE THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TORSION BARS. *AK

AS CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD DRIVER SIDE TIRE RUBBING ON THE WHEEL WELL, CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND UPON INSPECTING THE SUSPENSION, HE FOUND THAT THE TORSION BAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHCILE HAD SHEARED IN HALF, CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THEN, WAS TRAVELING 10MPH, GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT OPERABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY CONSUMER TWO TIMES SINCE JULY 01, 1999 AT 109,000 MILES AND 169,000 MILES. DURING FIRST FAILURE, CONSUMER TRAVELED AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED ,AND LEFT HIM STRANDED. DURING SECOND OCCURRENCE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT IT WAS SLIPPING ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER CODE, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB

METAL SUPPORT IN BACK PART OF BENCH SEATS COMING THROUGH SEAT COVER, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

THE OIL COOLER LINES LEAKED OIL ONTO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED IT TO SMOKE. THE OIL COOLER LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 30,000 MILES. *NM THERE WAS NOISE IN THE FRONT END DUE TO A WORN RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD AND WHEN DAMP OR COLD OUT, A HARD SHIFT WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN MAKING TURNS. *SCC

ABS LIGHT IS ON, AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED STOPPING DISTANCE IS NOT NORMAL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON VEHICLE, DIFFERENTIAL WAS OVERHAULED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENLY, FULE INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED, IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, AS WELL AS ALTERNATOR, THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN REBUILT, CONSUMER STATES RATTLE SOUND FROM FRONT OF ENGINE DRIVEBELT WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS TENSIONER, ALSO FULE/AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO DEFECTIVE ROTORS DETERIORATING FROM WITHIN. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH METALLIC BRAKE LININGS, THE STEEL PEELS AWAY FROM THE ROTORS. *SLC

SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK FINE/SOME TIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO FAST, EVEN ON INTERMITTENT BASIS, AND SOME TIMES THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL.*AK THERE WAS A RECALL ON WIPERS MULFUNCTIONS DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE 95 MODELS. THE A/C HOSE ASSEMBLY FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. *YH

WIPER CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CONSUMER STATES SOME ASTRO VANS HAVE RECALLS REGARDING THIS SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. *SLC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENED DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND I ALMOST CRASHED. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A GMC SONOMA FOR SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO CRACKS IN SOLDER JOINTS. *AK BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN OF ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTION TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD, THERE WERE FREQUENT FAILURES OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *YH

WHILE DRIVING STEERING AND BRAKES GO OUT AT SAME TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE SHORTED TO TIE ROD DUE TO POOR CABLE ROUTING, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *AK

EXHAUST MUFFLER FAILED. *MJS

BOTH FRONT TORSION BARS BROKE WIHTIN ONLY 70416 MILES. *AK

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WILL QUIT WORKING. NO SIGN THAT WINDSHIELD MOTOR IS WORKING. *AK REPLACED PULSE WIPER BOARD. *YH

ON AUG 26 2000 I HAD FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND IN CHECKING THE MASTER CYLINDER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MENTIONED AND HIS SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THIS WAS DONE BY SOMEONE WHO CHANGED THE OIL DIPPED HIS FINGER INSIDE WITH A LITTLE GREASE AND CONTAMINATED THE FLUID IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID CONTAINED ALGY ALSO THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS VERY LOW IT SEEMS THAT THE SERVICE DEPT.FINDS WAYS AND EXCUSES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OFFERS EXCUSES FOR THE PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS THIS MAY NOT BE THE ONLY COMPLAINT OF THIS KIND AS FURTHER INFORMATION THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ALMOST BLACK IN COLOR ALL MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAY THIS IS NOT A NORMAL SITUATION I AM GOING TO LET THEM FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND REFILL IT AT THE COST OF $80.00 TO $100.00 EVEN THOUGH UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THIS IS A POTENTIALY DANGEROUS SITUATION

VEHICLE WOULD STALL, BUT START BACK UP. AFTER SO MANY TIMES FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. FEW DAYS LATER IT REPEATED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. CONNECTOR WAS BURNT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. DEALER WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL VIBRATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THEN, EVERY 1000 MILES PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ROTORS WERE RUSTED. TECHNICIAN COULD NOT STATE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A LONG BUBBLE CLOSE TO THE SIDEWALL, INDICATING TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE ON A 1996, CHEVROLET, ASTRO. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE TIRE AT A PRORATION FEE. FR360, TIRE SIZE P21575R15.*AK THE FIRESTONE'S TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. *SLC