2001 Chevrolet Astro

Routine

Owners filed 91 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

61 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles; the median is 62,500 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip15
400
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch6
000
Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch5
000
Service Brakes4
100
Electrical System4
010
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments3
003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights3
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch05V099000
Filed Mar 14, 200577,055 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.

Risk. THE LOSS OF STOP LAMPS AND REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE TO THE CONTACTS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION OF THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WOULD BE USED IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON IS STILL MOVABLE. IF A VEHICLE HAS A HAZARD SLIDER BUTTON THAT IS NOT MOVABLE (FROZEN), THE ENTIRE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 23, 2015166,200 milesCA

VAN WILL NOT PASS SMOG. THE VERY LAST TIME I DROVE IT, I WAS DRIVING IT ON A CITY STREET AND IT JUST DIED OUT. I'VE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED AND ITSTILL ISN'T FIXED TO PASS SMOG. A SHOP SAID MY FUEL INJECTION SPIDER SYSTEM IS BAD.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2014100,000 milesWI

I AM A LICENSED CAR DEALER. I AM VERY CONCERNED AT WHAT I AM SEEING WITH MY CUSTOMERS, WITH CARS I SEE AT THE AUCTIONS, AND WITH BLOG SITES ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING CHEVY'S EBCM COMPUTER MODULE. AT THE AUCTIONS I AM SEEING AT LEAST 25% OF CHEVROLETS AND ABOUT 10% OF FORDS COMING THROUGH WITH BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON. MY MAIN CONCERN IS WITH THE CHEVY'S EBCM. THESE VERY EXPENSIVE UNITS FAIL AT THE RELAY POINT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS DUE TO BAD SOLDER JOINTS FROM THE FACTORY. WHEN THEY FAIL, THE DRIVER GETS A BRAKE LIGHT AND AN ABS INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE BRAKES STILL WORK ON THE CAR, BUT THEY DON'T WORK AS DESIGNED. IN FACT THE DRIVER GETS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BECAUSE HIS CAR IS STOPPING, BUT IN A SLIPPERY SITUATION IT WILL NOT STOP AS DESIGNED. WHEN I WENT TO THE INTERNET FOR IDEAS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM FINDING A LOT OF POSTINGS SAYING JUST TAKE THE BULB OUT OF THE DASH! I AM ALSO SEEING ADS ON E BAY WHERE YOU CAN SEND YOUR EBCM TO A REPAIR STATION, THEY TAKE IT APART, AND RE SOLDER THE JOINTS FOR $49. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY WANT OVER $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM! I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE SELLING THEIR VEHICLE AS IS AND TELLING THE BUYER THAT IT'S OK. THE BRAKES WORK. I CAN'T GET THE LIGHT TO SHUT OFF! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT WILL BECOME MORE DANGEROUS AS MORE AND MORE CARS ARE DRIVING WITH INOPERATIVE EBCM COMPUTERS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE DEFECT COMES FROM HAVING THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE FRAMES NEAR THE TRANSMISSION AN

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 26, 2014162,732 milesCA

TL* THE OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SAFETY BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,732.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 201358,000 milesFL

BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, I HAD THE CODE PULLED AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE, IT IS THE ELECTRONIC ABS CONTROL MODULE AND UPON GOOGLING "CHEVROLET BRAKE ABS LIGHTS" IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THEIR APPEARS TO BE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH FAULTY ABS ELECTRONIC MODULES WHICH PREVENTS THE ABS FUNCTION FROM WORKING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 2013150,000 milesIA

GOING TO STOP AT A SLOW SPEED ENGAGES ABS , CAUSING VAN TO NOT STOP UNLESS BREAKERS WERE SLAMMED ON HARD AND HOPS OF STOPPING! *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 25, 2012198,000 milesNY

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT LOWSPEED I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST. MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE ONE INFRONT OF ME. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS LOW SPEED LOSS OF BRAKING. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 30, 2012174,000 milesVA

AFTER APPROX. ONE WEEK OF OPER. OF MY 2001 CHEVY ASTRO A FIRE OCCURRED THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTENTS IF I HAD NOT BEEN CLOSE BY. AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 20 MILES AND PARKING IT MY VAN CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLES POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES WERE RUN FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ENGINE DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE STEERING LINKAGE WHERE IT PASSES THE ENGINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP TO THE POINT WHERE THE TIRE IS STILL TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED HALF WAY TO THE LEFT THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE ROD END IS RUBBING INTO THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES WHICH ARE IN A COMMON HARNESS.IF THE SUSPENSION IS MOVING UP AND DOWN ON A BUMPY ROAD WHILE THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE STEERING LINKAGE AND THE BATTERY CABLES WILL CAUSE REPEATED DAMAGE OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN EVENTUAL FIRE.IF THIS FIRE OCCURRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE MY VAN WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE THE 7 PEOPLE INCLUDING TWO SMALL CHILDREN LIVING HERE COULD HAVE DIED FROM FIRE CAUSED BY VERY POOR ENGINEERING. IF YOU CAN JACK UP A VEHICLE AND CAUSE A MOVABLE PART OF THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION OR STEERING TO COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE THE VEHICLES ENGINEERS WERE NEGLIGENT. ALSO HAVING BOTH BATTERY CABLES IN THE SAME HARNESS IS NOT A VERY GOOD IDEA EITHER MY VEHICL

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 18, 2010160,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE AND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Apr 30, 201097,000 milesMI

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2009152,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 152000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 18, 200950,000 milesFL

2001 CHEVY ASTRO VAN ABS SYSTEM . I HAVE REPLACED EVERY PART AND STILL HAVE PROBLEMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM OF THIS VAN. I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE VANS BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 15, 2009125,150 milesMI

NOTICED MY TIRE LOSING AIR AND HAVE TO FILL IT. UPON FILLING, I SAW A SPLIT IN THE TIRE AND SILVER METAL SHOWING THROUGH. THE TIRE IS SPLITTING ON THE SIDEWALL AND YET I HAVE LOTS OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. ALL THE OTHER TIRES ARE SHOWING A "RING" OF DETERIORATION AS WELL. YET THEY ALL HAVE SIGNIFICANT TREAD LEFT ON THEM. WE WERE TOLD THE TIRES WERE NEW WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FALL 2005. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 2009138,000 milesMD

TRANSMISSION, PUT VAN IN GEAR AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT ENGAGE. FINALLY VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD POP AND JUMPS WHILE FOOT ON THE GAS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 30, 200834,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REAR DOOR HANDLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR DOOR HANDLE AND MECHANISM. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/06/09. (JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 10, 200896,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 130 AND THE CAR JUST DIED SO IT WAS TOWED APRIL 2008 AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT IN THE CAR WHICH COST 800.00 ON JULY 6,2008 I WAS ON MY WAS TO EWING TWSP AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN IT WAS TOWED AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT AGAIN IN THE CAR. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Feb 12, 2008125,281 milesOR

A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THERE AS A LOSS OF POWER AND AN ENGINE MISS. A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING IN A SHOP CLEARED THIS UP. THEN AT THE END OF DECEMBER THE VAN WOULD NO START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MEINEKE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEQUENTIAL CENTRAL PORT INJECTOR HAD FAILED. THIS IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. I WROTE A LETTER TO GM TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THEY REFUSED BECAUSE I DID NOT GO TO A DEALERSHIP. AND MEINKE USED AN AFTER MARKET PART. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 29, 2007110,000 milesMI

ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT SLOW SPEEDS CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ISSUE IS SPORADIC, AND APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN COOL OR HUMID CLIMATE CONDITIONS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 8, 200769,800 milesNY

1) NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WOULD "PRESSURIZE" WHEN COMING TO A STOP AS IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING. I'VE EXPERIENCED NORMAL ACTIVATION BEFORE ON ICE, SNOW, AND LOOSE GRAVEL SO I KNEW WHAT IT WAS DOING. IT BEGAN HAPPENING A LOT SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (BASIL CHEVROLET, WELLSVILLE, NY) ON 9/24/07. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS AND TOLD ME "ROAD TEST OK...ON ROAD TEST DID EXPERIENCE ANTILOCK PROBLEM. ONLY ONCE FELT - UNABLE TO VERIFY". 2) TOOK MY VAN HOME AND WAS SEEING THE PROBLEM AS MUCH IF NOT MORE SO THAN BEFORE. WAS QUITE UPSET THAT AFTER SPENDING OVER $400 DOLLARS ON THE AUTO, I STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED THAT I TOOK THE VAN IN FOR. COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD BRING IT IN TO "CLEAN THE SENSORS" FOR ME BUT COULDN'T GET ME IN UNTIL "NEXT WEEK". THE VERY NEXT DAY THE PROBLEM AROSE WHILE PARKING MY VEHICLE AT WORK. I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY AND SMASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A TRUCK. NO DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AT ALL BUT EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. SMASHED GRILL, BUMPER, HOOD, HEADLIGHT, AND POSSIBLY MORE THAT I HAVEN'T IDENTIFIED YET. GOT STOPPED BY THE LOCAL POLICE FOR THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE. 3) NOTHING DONE YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I LEFT THE VAN AT THE AFOREMENTIONED DEALER FOR REPAIR WORK ON THE BRAKES AND THE HEADLIGHT. HOPING TO PICK IT UP TODAY. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Sep 25, 2007MD

2001 CHEVY ASTRO WITH MAINTENANCE WORK DONE ON FUSES. CUSTOMER STATES HE RECEIVED A RECALL AND HAD THE WORK REPAIRED AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. CUSTOMER HAS REPLACED FUSE ABOUT FOUR TIMES. *KB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 7, 2007152,306 milesFL

4 COOPER TRENDSETTER WERE PUT ON MY VAN 6/18/07. ON 9/6/07 I WAS DRIVING ON I4, AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A MAJOR FAILURE. I FELT THE VAN START TO WEAVE, AND AT THAT TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIND. THE TIRE THEN JUST WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. I WAS DOING ABOUT 70 MPH., AND MANAGED TO BRING THE VAN TO A STOP. A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAS AVERTED. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE, LARGE PIECES OF THE TREAD WERE MISSING, THE STEEL BELTS WERE VISIBLE AND BROKEN, AND A HOLE WAS IN THE SIDEWALL. I HAD RUN OVER NOTHING, AND THE TIRES HAD 970 MILES ON THEM. THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRE WAS 3DHF C2T 469 F13L. AFTER I GOT HOME, I CHECKED THE WEB, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS STYLE TIRE. RECALL 147. THE DOT NUMBER DIDN'T MATCH. I DID CALL COOPER TIRE, AND THEY HAVE PUT IT IN AS A INSURANCE CLAIM. THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE REAR PANEL WHEN THE TIRE SEPARATED. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NERVOUS DRIVING ON THESE TIRES, BUT THEY KEPT IT AS A INSURANCE CLAIM. I AM REPLACING ALL THE TIRES FOR PEACE OF MIND.*JB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

20 of 91 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20059200Routine
200414210Routine
200362330Routine
200270334Fatalities reported
2001 — this page91310Routine
2000175230Routine
1999133420Routine
1998241670Above average
1997360770Above average
1996263710Above average
1995446764Fatalities reported
1994328631Fatalities reported
1993135540Routine
1992132562Fatalities reported
199195640Routine
199068760Routine

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 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.