I had just parked my Chevrolet Astro AWD in the garage and after a few minutes the drivers side torsion bar snapped. The front end was sitting on the suspension stops. I am lucky this didn't happen 10 minutes earlier while I was driving. It could have caused an accident or injuries. The vehicle is currently sitting in the garage awaiting repair. The updated parts are going to run me $600 plus installation. I currently have the broken torsion bar. I vehicle resided in Utah and did not see Wisconsin salt until couple years ago. The bar appears to be severely corroded/pitted at the break.

- Stevens Point, WI, USA

The torsion bars are breaking and it drops the suspension. Do not have any steering. Consumer's wife was coming out of the driveway and the torsion bar. The consumer contacted GM, they said there was not enough cause. Consumer believed that the salt on roadway caused them to rust. This happened on June 15, 2002. Did have both bars repaired and sold the vehicle.

- Wyonna , MN, USA

Without warning the torsion bar broke and drove itself into the axle shaft which also had to replaced.. the dealer fixed the part, and said it was fortunate that no one was driving when it happened. The manufacturer has not been contacted yet. The repair included all four of the torsion bars and the brackets they fit into. The front left side axle shaft was replaced. (the front left of the van dropped to the ground)

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

While driving 30 mph torsion bar broke. Vehicle was driven home. Dealer was contacted.

- Zelienople, PA, USA

The torsion bar snapped allowing the vehicle to drop on one corner, making it undriveable. The vehicle was parked when the bar snapped. The vehicle has never been taken off-road or otherwise abused. Had the bar failed while the vehicle was in motion, it could have caused accident or injury.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

Both torsion bars of my van failed within 2 hours of each other. The vehicle was parked on the street beside the curb. A loud pop was heard before the vehicle dropped on the front tires. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a shop where it was determined both torsion bars had failed. Repairs are estimated to be $700 including parts ($520) purchased at the Chevrolet dealer. Why is there not a recall on this item?

- New Carlisle, IN, USA

Was backing out of garage when I heard a loud snapping noise and the driver side of van went down like a tire had blown. Got out and discovered that tires were ok, but front end was sagging down with hardly any room in wheel wells for tires to turn. Called tow truck and had them tow to dealership for investigation of problem. They told me that both torsion bars had broken and that they would need to be replaced at a cost of ~$700. I consider myself real lucky because I had just returned from a trip of over 900 miles, pulling a boat. If the bars would have broken while traveling on interstate at 65 - 70 mph there is no telling what would have happened as far as a accident is concerned. I believe that this should be considered a safety hazard and the cost should be paid by the manufacture. Thanks.

- Davenport , IA, USA

The vehicle was leaning to one side due to the torsion bar snapping. The problem started with a vibration in the steering wheel and was intermittent. The dealer didn't find a problem.

- Blandon, PA, USA

Right torsion bar failed. Had to replace both bars since GM redesigned them. Cost $725. Power steering seems to be affected, but mechanic could not pin point problem.

- Dewitt, MI, USA

Front left side torsion bar broke while sitting in the garage. Drove the vehicle the day before. Wife got into vehicle on 6-2-03 and front end had sagged on the left side. Vehicle taken to repair facility and reported that torsion bar had broken. When a GM dealer was contacted for parts, it was stressed that both sides be repaired due to history of this issue.

- Holland, MI, USA

My family and I had just driven about 50 miles and were going to eat dinner, while turning right off a street we heard a loud pop and the left front corner of the van fell. I assumed we had blown a tire, but when I got out to look, the tire was still up. After jacking up the van and looking at the ball joints, tie rods, etc., I realized that torsion bar had snapped. Fortunately this occurred at a low speed and did not cause me to lose control of the van - 2 minutes earlier and it would probably be a different story. The first dealer I contacted told me the part was discontinued and I should try a junkyard to get the part I needed. The second dealer I contacted told me there was a conversion kit I could buy, but I had to convert both sides, and the cost was "at least" $500. If I had known I needed another $500 and was risking the safety of my family, I would not have purchased this vehicle. How about some help GM?

- Winfield, MO, USA

I have a 1995 Chevrolet Astro van. On the way home, I heard a loud bang, like a tire had blown. When I parked the car at home, I noticed the front driver's side was visibly sagging. I took it to my mechanic and he said the torsion bar had broke. He also said this was a common problem in this year of vehicle. I called General Motors to see if there was a recall campaign and there is not. I have to buy two new torsion bars because there is an update to the version. The repairs are $700.

- Gresham, WI, USA

Consumer states that the front torsion bar broke on the left front side and fell on the tire. Vehicle taken to a repairs shop. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

Van was sitting on driveway we heard a pop and front driver's side dropped onto the tire. Had it towed to dealer, driver said this was the 2nd one that week. Dealer said it was the torsion bar and they needed to change both. Adapters were on 1 week back order. Was told that the design had changed. Talked to several other Astro owners - this seems to be a common problem.

- Sauk Rapids, MN, USA

While driving torsion bar broke, and both front control arms broke, resulting in front end falling down. Contacted dealer.

- Newport, NH, USA

Vehicle was parked.consumer realized vehicle was dropping. Had vehicle towed to dealer, and mechanic stated torson bar was corroded, resulting in vehicle dropping.

- West Dallas, WI, USA

The front left torsion bar broke after we came home. A couple of hours later the right front torsion bar broke so that we couldn't turn the steering wheel without the body of the van hitting the tires. We feel extremely lucky that this did not happen while driving, as it would more than likely have blown the front tires and we could have had a major accident. After having our van hauled on a flatbed wrecker we were advised that these vans have a history with the torsion bars breaking. Both the auto repair place and the wrecker service said they were really surprised that there wasn't a recall as this is a safety hazard. We want to make sure you are aware of this problem as other people, like ourselves, have no idea that the whole front of these vans can just drop down on the tires while driving when these torsion bars break. Again we feel very fortunate that ours broke after we returned home from church Sunday and not while driving 70 mph on the highway!

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Vehicle was parked while pursuing to drive vehicle and front tires started to rub against front frame. Dealer was notified, mechanic stated torsion bar was corroded.

- Cannon Falls, MO, USA

While driving, torsion bars broke, causing vehicle to pull, making it hard to steer vehicle. Consumer would like for Chevrolet to make payment for the failure that occured with the vehicle.

- Piittsburgh, PA, USA

While making a left turn at 5 mph driver's side front of vehicle dropped. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, torsion bar snapped and needed to be replaced.

- Plainville, CT, USA