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CarComplaints.com Notes: The Chevy Astro is mechanically identical to the GMC Safari.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,824 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Astro Van engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Chevrolet Astro Van Owner Comments

problem #17

Apr 082005

Astro Van 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While turning a corner and pressing the accelerator it became stuck causing the vehicle accelerate faster. The consumer pumped the gas pedal which made the vehicle go faster. The consumer then placed her other foot on the brake pedal which made the rear tires spin. The consumer had to place the transmission in neutral and remove the key from the ignition before the vehicle stopped. Triple a was afraid to tow the vehicle due to acceleration issue but finally decided to tow it to dealer. Dealer was willing to repair under an extended warranty. GMC would offered no assistance.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #16

Jun 011997

Astro Van

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly accelerates beyod 60 mph unexpectedly. Dealer calls it safety problem, but will not work on an intermittent problem.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #15

Mar 122002

Astro Van

  • miles
My wife and daughter were in the vehicle. My wife was driving. Suddenly, the accelerator stuck in an open position. Close to home and uncertain what to do, my wife was able to get in our driveway at home. The new rear brakes installed a week before were ruined. I had mechanic replace them and a rear brake cylinder also. The stress apparently caused the cylinder to start leaking. My mechanic also investigated the throttle problem. A factory wiring harness strap had broken and flipped around into the throttle linkage. Fortunately, no one was injured. We live in a rural area and traffic was not very heavy. My engine on the other hand is not so fortunate. It seems that it ran at too high an RPM for too long. It has developed a severe engine knock. GM does not seem very interested in hearing about my safety concerns and appeal for repair compensation.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #14

Mar 102002

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Throttle freezes. Must press extremely hard to move. Causes vehicle to jump. Estimated cost to repair $700 + labor cost.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 072001

Astro Van 4WD

  • miles
Driven van about 30 miles stopped and when we started to take off van lurched foreward with aloud bang only does this between 1st and 2nd gears. When transmission is cold does not do this only when hot.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

problem #12

Jul 032001

Astro Van

  • miles
While traveling at highway speed of 70 mph with speed control engaged vehicle would not disengage speed control when applying brake pedal. Instead, it continued to accelerate. Driver was able to to shift into neutral, pull vehicle over, and turn off ignition switch. Vehicle taken to dealer for insepection. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 271998

Astro Van

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittently accelerator pedal will lock up/stick when applying pedal to go. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on five occasions, and problem still reoccurring.

- Fort Payne, AL, USA

problem #10

Jan 172001

Astro Van

  • miles
Was on my way to work just dropped my 2 small children offf not even 5 min ago - was driving down rt 97 towards annapolis going about 60 - 65 mph when traffic started to get a little heavy I needed to apply my brake and it didnt work I then noticed the van was speeding up all by itself I checked the cruise controll and it wasnt on the van kept speeding up I was in heavy traffic - I turned my flashers on and did everything I could I finally managed to get this van to the shoulder I had my foot pressing down as hard as I could ( at this point my body was lifted from the seat I was pressing the break so hard I was still going 45-50 mph ) luckilly after 10 " min of this and many near death experiences I finally got slowed down enough to throw it into park the engine was so loud I thought it was going to take off out of park I immediately turned the key off - I was lucky my kids werent there and I wasnt driving in a residentilal area I could have been killed or evn worse several others someone needs to check tis out immediatlet Y the dealership has fixed this a T a cost of $950 and I haver reported it to Chevy - however someone needs to be held accountable this part just broke??" no warning no nothing just all the sudden decided it wanted to kill me.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #9

Jan 172001

Astro Van

  • miles
The van went from 60 mph to 85mph all by itself as if cruise was on but it wasnt the throttle just broke no warning no nothing the engine idled so high the brakes wouldnt work it took 10 min to get this thing to stop my brake was pushed to the floor and I was still going 45 mph it was lucky I was not in a residential area with traffic signals it was also lucky my 2 small children were not in the vehicle please look into this complain immediately.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #8

May 011999

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving for 10-20 miles and coming to a stop, vehicle makes a banging noise and lurches with a jolt.

- Princeville, IL, USA

problem #7

Jun 011997

Astro Van

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Very fast idle, intrmittent, will accellerate vehicle beyond 60 mph with no gas pedal. Carried vehicle data recorder for 3 weeks, recorded 4 events. Dealer claims normal fast idle during deceleration as emission feature. My question, accel beyond 60mph with no pedal is not emission control, it is un-safe. It requires brakes to maintain 50mph on flat ground when the intermittent problem kicks in. I have had 3 years of dealer excuses, as they do not want to spend the money to fix even under extended 100.000 mile waranty. They claim to not know what to do as there is no engine check light or stored codes. This has caused several driving concern incidents and 2 very close calls when it decides to kick in.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #6

Sep 162000

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
Hasn't been anything more than a nuisiance so far, but we believe it could be a safety issue. The gas pedal sticks, especially right after starting the engine. Starting off in a controllable manner is almost impossible. Reliable Chevrolet in tulsa replaced the throttle body assembly once under warranty at about 40,000 miles, and now the problem is starting again. As the problem gets worse, it starts to happen more often, I.e. even after the van has been running for a while instead of just after starting. The gas pedal just sticks when the throttle is closed. It takes quite a bit of pressure to unstick it, and when it finally moves, it opens the throttle more than intended, and the van starts off in leaps and spurts instead of gradually and gracefully.

- Coweta, OK, USA

problem #5

Jul 032000

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling at highway speed of 60 mph or more vehicle lurched forward twice. Also, fuel gauge moved from full to emtpy and continued to move back and forth. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer that the fuel tank sender unit has melted down, and could have started a fire in the tank.

- Ashville, OH, USA

problem #4

Jun 291998

Astro Van

  • miles
I have owned this vehicle for a year and have had problems with throttle since then. Transmission was overhauled due to faulty coolant hos a month after purchase and now trns. Fliud pump is shot. Window motors are not working properly and niether are power locks. Friend owns 97' safari and has same exact problems. Is costing me more than van is worth

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #3

May 201999

(reported on)

Astro Van

  • miles
No summary listed for this vehicle.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #2

Sep 011998

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Accelerator pedal sticking if ignition is on or off due to failed throttle body unit.

- Fort Washi, MD, USA

problem #1

Aug 131998

Astro Van

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While applying the brakes the vehicle started accelerating, causing an accident.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

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