1999 Chevrolet Astro

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.

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).

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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DROPPING THE FRONT END TO THE GROUND. *TR

I HAVE 2- CHEVY ASTRO VANS. 1-1998, 1-1999. THE 1999 HAS CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES. THE MAIN BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED INTO. I WAS COMING BACK FROM A LONG TRIP YESTERDAY AND I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SOFT. WHEN I GOT HOME UPON INSPECTION I CHECKED THE BREAK FLUID AND IT WAS LOW. I FILLED IT. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FLUID BY THE BACK TIRE. AND LOOKED, I DISCOVERED ALL OF THE BRAKE AND GAS LINES WERE EAT UP WITH CORROSION. GM NEEDS TO TAKE THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND FIX IT IMMEDIATELY. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED , OR I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD. I INSPECTED THE 1998 ASTRO VAN TO SEE IF IT HAD A PROBLEM TO. AND UPON DOING SO DISCOVERED IT IS FINE, NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE PICS OF BOTH VANS THE PICS WILL SHOW THAT MY STATEMENT IS TRUE. I BOUGHT THE 1999 VAN (THE ONE WITH CORRODED LINES) IN THE STATE OF OHIO. AND I BOUGHT THE 1998 VAN IN ALABAMA.I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS, BUT I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FAULTY GM PRODUCT WITH CORROSIVE BRAKE AND GAS LINES. I AM VERY THANKFUL I DISCOVERED THIS BEFORE TRAGEDY HAPPENED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM, AND GM NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE, NOT AFTER. ANY HELP WITH GETTING THIS RESOLVED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I JUST WANT TO LET UNSUSPECTING GM OWNERS KNOW ABOUT THIS DANGER! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT STATING THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ON ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *TR

HAD CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED PRIOR TO ENTERING A REDUCED SPEED AREA AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. AFTER DEPARTING THE REDUCED SPEED AREA, I ENGAGED THE RESUME FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED PAST THE SET SPEED AND KEPT SPEEDING UP. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKES ALTHOUGH THEY GOT VERY HOT AND SMOKED SEVERELY. ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AS WELL AS TURNING OFF AND REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY STOPPING THE VEHICLE, I CONTINUED ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT ANY ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE RACING OF THE ENGINE. I EXAMINED THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 6 WAS LABELED "CRUISE MODULE, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, ELECTROMECHANICAL MIRROR". THE FUSE WAS REMOVED BUT THE ENGINE RACED UPON ATTEMPTING TO START IT. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 18 WAS LABELED "VCM-IGN 3, VCM-BRAKE, 4WAL, CRUISE STEPPER MOTOR SIGNAL". UPON REMOVING THIS FUSE, I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE, AND IT REMAINED IN NORMAL PARAMETERS. I DID NOTICE THAT THE ANTILOCK LIGHT WAS ON, BUT BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE VCM-BRAKE LABEL ON THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. I WAS THEN ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME, AND WILL BE CONTACTING THE REPAIR SHOP TO DISABLE/REMOVE THE CRUISE STEPPER MOTOR, AS I REFUSE TO CHANCE ANOTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK MODULE THAT TURNED OFF THE GAS TO THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP BRIEFLY BUT THEN SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN APPROX. 50 MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. *TR

WILL NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS DAMP. WILL TAKE 3 OR 4 DAYS TO DRY OUT BEFORE STARTING AGAIN. NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. TOWED TO SHOP VAN SITS INSIDE THE BAY DRIES OUT AND STARTS WITHIN 2-3 HOURS. HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT GETS DAMP. 10 YEARS BEEN DOING THE SAMETHING. *TR

ANTI THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. LOCKS OWNER OUT FROM STARTING VEHICLE IN WET WEATHER. BAD PLACEMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM PLACED UNDER BATTERY. CORROSION OF SECURITY SYSTEMS COMMUNICATIONS WIRING CAUSED LOCK OUT AND CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE CONNECTED TO THE SAME UNIT, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE CALLED GM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE WORKED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH SNOW AND ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM AND HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WOUND TOOK 24 STITCHES TO CLOSE. MOST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $4,500. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT 25 MPH. THE ARKANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 07-00343. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,661 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING & POWER ASSIST BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED, CAUSING LACK OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP SNAPPED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE PUMP HIMSELF AND DISCOVERED THE SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN THE PUMP. WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, IT CAUSED THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL AS WELL. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. AS I TRIED TO STOP OUR VAN I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE ALSO GONE CAUSING US TO ROLL INTO THE CORNER OF OUR HOME (BRICK) AT APPROXIMATELY 3 - 4 MPH WHICH CAUSED APPROXIMATELY $2500 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VAN. NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT COST $300 TO GET THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND ANOTHER $75 JUST TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE MADE DRIVABLE AGAIN. AFTER CONTACTING SEVERAL SERVICE AGENCIES I FIND THAT THE BRAKE BOOST SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HENCE, IF YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING, YOU LOSE YOUR BRAKES! I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE #1-383499552) AND THEIR ANSWER WAS, "YOU SHOULD STILL HAVE SOME BRAKES IF YOU PUSH HARD ENOUGH." I'M 5'10" TALL AND WEIGH 200 LBS. I HAD BOTH FEET PUSHING ON THE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR IF THEY WERE COMING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR TRYING TO STOP THEIR VEHICLE. GM NEEDS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING. NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT IT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE GM TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO OUR VEHICLE CAUSED BY US NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING A LITER AND A HALF OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE SYSTEM WHICH WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ,AND THEY EXPLAINED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART. *AK

WE HAVE A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN. WE HAD A FACTORY RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS SUPPLIED BY GUARANTY CHEVROLET ON 8-30-02, INSTALLED. THE VAN HAD 67,532 MILES. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. WE ALSO PAID TO HAVE A SEPARATE NEW COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO HAD THE DRIVESHAFT REBUILT AND BALANCED. NOW, OUR 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 44,547 MORE MILES SINCE INSTALLED IN 2002. WE HAVE SPENT $5,700.00. OUR TRANSMISSION PLACE WROTE GM. MARK DOWLER OF CHEVY CALLED ME AND SAID SORRY, WE WON'T HELP YOU. WE ARE GOING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF NEED BE. THANK YOU. *JB

DT: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED HAPPENING ON 3-21-05. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD TO FIX TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. *AK *MR

COMMENTS: WHY DID EVERYONE MISS THE 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH AWD? I ALREADY HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (AT MY COST) EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT LOCAL FIRESTONE GARAGE PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE, AND HAS THE RECORDS OF THE SERVICE. NEAR-MISS TOO MANY TIMES AT LOW SPEED STOPPING PROBLEMS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE CHEVY & GMC MINI-VANS!!! *JB

DT: ON FRIDAY THE BATTERY WENT DEAD AND THE OWNER COULDN'T OPEN THE BACK DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE OWNER COULD NOT OPEN THE BACK DOORS TO GET TO HIS TOOLS. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED NO ONE COULD GET OUT OF THE BACK DOORS. THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. THE OWNER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE OWNER WAS NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE BATTERY GOING DEAD, JUST ABOUT THE BACK DOOR NOT OPENING.*AK

DT: THE VEHICLES FUEL LINE FELL APART. THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE HOUSE SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE LINES CAME APART WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL LINE BUSTED AND GASOLINE SPEWED. THE MECHANIC INSTRUCTED THE OWNER THAT THE FUEL LINE CAN BE SNAPPED BACK TOGETHER. SO THE OWNER SNAPPED IT BACK TOGETHER. OWNER HAS SPOKEN WITH A DEALERSHIP THAT INSTRUCTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.*AK *JB

DT: CALLER SAYS THE ACCELERATOR STICKS ON VEHICLE. WHEN GETTING IN AND HITTING ACCELERATOR IT WILL NOT MOVE. WHEN PUSH ING HADER IT WILL GO FASTER THAN EXPECTED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *NM THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPOXIMATELY 10 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WHICLE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES OR ANY POWER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

1999 ASTRO BLOWS FUSES IN CIG. LIGHTER SOCKET. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AND WINDOWS WILL NOT OPERATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES INA SINGLE DAY. *AK

THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO LATCH. ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A PERSON ON A BICYCLE ON THE ROAD. SWERVED IN ORDER NOT TO HIT THE PERSON, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURB, AND COLLIDED WITH A FIRE HYDRANT, AND STRIKING A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE CAME DOWN TO MEET WITH THE DEALER AND CONSUMER. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED,AND THE RATE OF DECELERATION AND IMPACT WAS PRESENT. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN STOPPING IT WOULD VIBRATE. AFTER THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THERE WERE NO PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SHAFT CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

ONGOING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM, DRAINING THE BATTERY POWER, AND CAUSING THE BATTERY TO OVERHEAT. BATTERY BECAME SO HOT THAT ITT HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT AN EXPLOSION. DEALER CONTACTED FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH 65000 MILES. TOWED A LIGHT TRAILER (1500 LBS) FROM COLORADO TO KANSAS, ABOUT 500 MILES. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND; ONCE IT STARTED, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ODBII CODE P1870 SET. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER MONITORS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANS AND IF IT THINKS IT'S SLIPPING TOO MUCH IT APPLIES FULL LINE PRESSURE TO THE SHIFT. HARD ON ENTIRE DRIVELINE AND DEVASTATING TO THE TRANS - WE'RE HAVING TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REBUILT ALTHOUGH IF WE WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE VALVE BODY WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OKAY.*AK

PURCHASED USED ASTRO VAN AND NOTED ON 2ND DAY WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE THEN TO DRIVE A LOUD CLUNK AND HARD JUMP FORWARD UNLESS YOU DELAY TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE OR APPLYING GAS UNTIL YOU CAN FEEL THE GEAR ENGAGE (APPROX. 5-10 SECONDS). THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN BACKING UP, AS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT TWICE NOW. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED CORRECTLY OR REPLACED.*AK

MALFUNCTIONED REAR HATCHBACK DOOR FOR A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO. NO MANUAL OVERIDE/RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE LIKE A TRUNK RELEASE LEVER ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A CONCERN AS WELL AS A HAZARD IF THE ONLY OPTION TO EXIT WAS THRU THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR. IT WAS ALSO OF GREAT INCOVENIENCE TO GET A DISABLED PERSONS EQUIPMENT OUT WITH THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR INOPERABLE.

LEFT SIDE OF REAR HATCH WILL NOT UNLATCH/OPEN

- THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS LOCKED MORE THAN ONCE. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALER SINCE I COULD NOT LEAVE SINCE I COULD NOT LOCK THE SIDE DOORS; A MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WHILE I ACTUALLY LOCK THE DOORS (VERY CONFUSING TO ME). HE SUGGESTED THAT I USE A SCREWDRIVER TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE LOCKED MECHANISM ON BOTH DOORS. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DO IT, BUT THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE; IN ONE INCIDENT, THE DOOR OPENED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN (FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS ON MY LEFT). I WONDER IF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL IS NOT SAFE. I NEVER TOOK THIS IN FOR CHECKING, BUT I MIGHT. - THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OFTEN LOCKS AND I AM UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW -- THIS HAS RESULTED IN SNOW, HAIL, STRONG WINDS FORCING ME TO STOP AND KEEP PRESSING THE BUTTON IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE WINDOW AND TO CONTINUE MY TRAVELLING. ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS? I NEVER TOOK THE CAR IN, BUT I WILL INQUIRE TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT -- HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. - THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER IN ACCELLERATION, WHICH OFTEN MADE IT DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELLING, AND MERGING LANES. THE DEALER JUST WORKED ON THE VAN LAST MAY, 2003, AS NOTED ABOVE. FORTUNATELY, THIS WILL BE A GOOD CORRECTION AND I AM JUST SORRY THAT WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS.

HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE REAR HEAT BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY. THE HEATER IS STUCK ON HEAT/DEFROST. THIS WAS A PROBLEM EARLIER WITH THE VAN BUT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS NOW ACTED UP AGAIN. IT STARTED AGAIN AT APPROX. THE 70,000 KM RANGE. I COULD NOT CHECK THE AIR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT WAS WINTER. ARE THERE ANY FIXES IN PLACE THE GM IS TAKING CARE OF. NOTE: MY ADDRESS IS NOT ALABAMA BUT THE PROVINCE IS SASKATCHEWAN. ALSO THE DOOR HANDLES ARE POOR. REAR ONE WENT AND NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN IGNITION PROBLEM. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE PARKING. CONSUMER CALLED DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK

VEHICLE BOUGHT AT THE END OF 2000, USED. EVERY SUMMER SINCE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE WIRING REPLACED IN THE ENGINE, FRONT DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AFTER 5 MONTHS, FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 6 TIMES DO TO THE WIRING AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DUE TO ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STARTER. HYDRAULICS ON REAR DOOR ALSO BROKEN. DISPLAY LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAVE CONTINUALLY REPLACED FUSES. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THESE WERE JUST FLUKES, BUT THEY ARE CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE. I DID TALK TO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS SON ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VAN AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HIS MOTHER RETURNED IT BECAUSE THINGS KEPT FALLING APART ON IT. I WISH I HAD BEEN INFORMED BEFORE HAND HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT WAS GOING TO BE. I LOVE CHEVORLET VEHICLES AND I STILL LIKE MY VAN IT'S JUST COSTING ME TOO MUCH IN REPAIRS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS NOW STALLING AND THE GAS GAUGE HASN'T WORKED IN YEAR. I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH MY MILEAGE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T RUN OUT GAS. I AM GIVING THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT WHEN IT WAS TOWED. *LA

THE BACK DOORS OF VEHICLE WERE STUCK AND WOULD NOT OPEN. THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A HANDLE THAT WOULD OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER TRIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DOORS OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE REAR LEFT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. *JB TREAD SEPARATED WITHOUT HITTING ANY POTHOLES OR DEBRIS. BF GOODRICH WOULD ONLY COVER THE AMOUNT OF THE TREAD AND NOT THE WORKMANSHIP. *PH *JB

THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THEY HAVE ALSO STOPPED ON MY FATHERS 1996 ASTRO. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS ON THE ASTRO FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DO NOT OPEN OR LOCK WITH THE REMOTE DEVICE. SINCE DOOR LOCKS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF PASSENGER SAFETY I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE. *AK

THE ASTRO/SAFARI HAS A BRITTLE VACUUM LINE THAT CROSSES OVER THE THERMASTAT AREA OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS PLASTIC VACUUM LINE IS EASILY BROKEN IN ROUTINE SERVICE OF THE AIR FILTER OR RUBBING ON OTHER COMPONENT PARTS. WHEN THIS VACUUM HOSE IS BROKE...AIR SELECT TO DEFROSTER AND OTHER VENT POSITIONS IS LOST-CAUSING LACK OF VISABILITY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A GM TSB ON THIS AND IT SHOWS UP ON INTRANET THREADS YET GM DEALERS ALLOW CUSTOMERS BE TO SUBJECTED TO A $70. DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS VACUUM HOSE IS A "FRONT ROW"STOCKED PART AT MOST DEALERS. I BELIEVE A LOT OF 95-03 ASTRO/SAFARI OWNERS WILL HAVE OR HAVE HAD THIS VACUUM HOSE BREAKAGE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HAS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DOOR LATCH DOES NOT WORK/PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING. DEALER STATES SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO, YOU DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY. *AK

STEERING WHEEL DIAMETER IS TOO THICK. PH. THE STEERING WHEEL DIAMETER WAS TOO THICK. PH. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A TWISTING , BENDING IN HIS FINGERS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GRABBED, THE CONSUMER HELD THE WHEEL WITH THE TIP OF HIS FINGERS AND PALMS WHICH CAUSED THE ENDS OF THE CONSUMER'S FINGERS TO BEND, FROM TURNING THE TIGHT STEERING WHEEL, THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PAIN IN BOTH SHOULDERS, AND A SORE BACK. *JB

ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT COMPLETELY DIED, AND HE HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKE POWER. IT ALMOST CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ,THAT THEY HAD TO CHANGE A FUSE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK

THE TRIM AROUND THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW SEPARATED. *JB

I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO ON THIS DATE. THE DEALER FIRESTONE TIRE & SERVICE CENTERS, 7950 E SPEEDWAY, TUCSON, AZ 85715 REPRESENTED THE TIRES AS SUITABLE FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER I GOT HOME I DISCOVERED THE TIRES, FIRESTONE FR380 P215/75R15, WERE RATED FOR 1742 LBS AT 44 PSI BUT THIS SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 1585 LBS WHEN USING THIS TIRE ON A TRUCK OR MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLE WHICH, I ASSUME, WOULD PERTAIN TO A VAN AS WELL. THE TIRE JUST MEETS THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE VAN WHICH IS A LOAD CAPACITY OF 1575 LBS. BUT IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENT ONLY WHEN INFLATED TO 44 PSI. CHEVROLET RECOMMENDS A TIRE PRESSURE OF 35 PSI AND WHEN THE FIRESTONE INSTALLED THE TIRES THEY INFLATED THEM TO ONLY 30 PSI. I INCREASED THE PRESSURE TO 44 PSI SINCE ONLY THEN WOULD THE TIRES MEET THE VAN SPECS. I TRIED TO GET THE DEALER TO UPGRADE THE TIRES ABOUT 25 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THEM BUT THEY SAID THEY MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF MY VAN. LATER WHEN I WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE CHANGE SAID THE TIRES WERE OVER INFLATED AND REDUCED THEM ALL TO 35 PSI. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE BUT CANNOT GET CONSISTENT ADVICE NOR ANY ACTION FROM THE DEALER. DOES THE NHSTA HAVE ANY STANDING IN SUCH A DISPUTE ? *NLM

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS NOW HAS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAS COME UNBUCKLED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. ON ONE OF THE INSTANCES THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER 100 MILES WITH THE BELT BUCKLED WHEN IT SPONTANEOUSLY RETRACTED. VEHICLE USERS ARE NOW NOTING "FALSE POSITIVE" BUCKING, WHERE THEY BUCKLE THE BELT AND THEN FIND THAT TUGGING ON IT INDICATES THAT IT HAD NOT SECURELY LATCHED.

FAMILY AND I WERE ON HWY 441 TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. I BRAKED AND WENT DOWN TO 50 MPH AS I BEGAN TO MAKE AN EXIT OFF OF THIS HWY. I LET OFF BRAKE AND CAR SPED UP TO 60 MPH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NEVER ON. I WAS ON EXIT RAMP GOING 60. I WAS FORCED TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL. I COASTED TO A PLACE OFF THE ROADWHILE ENGINE WAS "REVING AT HIGH RPM'S". I SNAPPED THE GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE WENT FASTER. I REACHED DOWN TO PULL ON GAS PEDAL AND THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GM DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS A DIRTY THROTTLE BODY AND STUCK THROTTLE CABLE. NEVER HEARD OF AN EXCESSIVELY DIRTY THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY TO A 3 YR. OLD VEHICLE WITH 50,000 MILES.

ACDELCO THAT WAS INSTALLED AT DEALER 9/2000 ON 11/1/2002 IT LEAKED BATTERY ACID AND POST WENT THROUGH SIDE OF BATTERY-DEALER STATES IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME-IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS BATTERY MODEL #78-6YR SEIAL #090004 MAY HAVE A DEFECT AND THE VIN # I REPORTED IS WHAT CAME OFF THE PLATE IN THE FRONT OF THE VAN-IT APPEARS TO BE TAMPERED WITH-I AM NOT SURE HOW TO CHECK IF IT IS CORRECT-THAT NUMBER IS ALSO ON ALL MY CAR WARRANTY INFORMATION