CarComplaints.com Notes: The Chevy Astro is mechanically identical to the GMC Safari.
8.7
pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,974 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.
1st problem: When transmission gets hot- particularly after if driven in low gear.engine check light comes on and transmission slams from 1st gear into 2nd gear, then from 2nd gear into 3rd gear. Feels like vehicle has been hit from the rear. Problem stops when vehicle cools down. Dealer says only fix is to replace transmission. Has seen many other Astros with same problem. 2nd problem: Since filing orginal complaint # 516354 have gone to binding arbitration with Chevrolet. Chevrolet admitted to defective fuel tank that causes it to move. Arbitrator order Chevrolet to fix. Chevrolet refused because it will require redesign of fuel tank. Arbitrator has no power to order redesign.
As you can see, I have had numerous problems with this van. The dealer nor Chevrolet have offered any assistance saying that after 36,000 miles they are not responsible. Obviously, there is something wrong with this car. I am a single mom and I cannot pay my car payment plus repairs every month. I cannot trade it in because I owe too much on it. If I turn it in, I do not have credit to buy another car. Can you assist me in any way? no safety defect listed.
In Oct. 1997 when starting to drive transmission slips, feels like van has been hit from behind. Dealer replaced valve body, due to a known product problem.van once again had same troble in May 2000, dealer changed valve body, also statede becaused of a known product concern. But tjis time I had to pay $672.06. Their customer service was of no help. Even though their mechanic stated that GM had said to reploace the valve body the second time with a new design, since the first replacement was defective.
- Miramar, FL, USA
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After driving at highway speed and coming to a stop there is a loud bang and the vehicle jerks at the upshift from first to second gear. It feels as if the vehicle has been hit from behind. Check out by transmission shop indicates no problem.
After coming to a complete stop then accelerating, transmission shifts abruptly from 1st to 2nd gear. Tsb's posted by GM on the transmission model 4L60-E. this transmission is used in several model trucks/vans/SUV's. your site and other web sites post complaints on this unit from various truck owners, with the same problem. GM refuses to participate in repairing these transmissions. Owners must pay for repairs/transmission replacements. If transmission were to suddenly go out while acclerating, vehicle would lose all power and could not avoid being struck by another vehicle, potentially causing injury and/or death of van occupants.
When van has been driven more than 15 miles, autoshifting from 'second' to 'third' gear is so rough it feels like the van has been hit from the back by another vehicle. When shifting from 'third' to 'fourth' gear there is also a rough shifting but not as violent as the prior shifting.
Usaully after a long drive, and coming to a stop, when van shifts form ist to secondgear, there is a banging nose, feels like a have been hit form the back. Also, feels like I am being pushed forward..will happen on all additional 1-2 shift changes, untill shut down.
Have continually had trouble with this vehicle. Also know others with exact same van who have the same problems. No safetty defect (s) listed within summary.
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
After driving on the hwy for 30 min or longer, when coming to stop and proceeding, vehicle lurches forward giving the impression of being hit from behind.
While driving down the expressway for about 10 minutes at 65mph, exiting off and coming to a complete stop, and when taking off again vehicle automatically shifts from first to second gear.consumer contacted dealer.
Engine check light coming on coincidently with very rough shifting. Dealer states transmission needs replacement, even though an independent transmission shop could find no problem with the transmission. The independent mechanic maintains the problem is in the computer, which is shutting down and causing a full line pressure in the transmission, causing the rough shift. The independent shop dropped the transmission pan, inspected the fluid and visually inspected the transmission. Also kept and drove the vehicle for 2 days. Dealership insists the computer code they are receiving (P1870) indicates a transmission slip, to be remedied by a complete transmission replacement or at least an overhaul. No visual inspection of the transmission was conducted by the dealer -- only relying on a computer code to diagnose the problem. Dealer also stated they have had to replace many transmissions on this model vehicle --- "more than we care to admit." Still, an independent shop can find no internal problem and maintains it is a problem in the PCM. Dealer does not want to change PCM and will diagnose only as far as "pulling codes" from the PCM. They cannot adequately explain why the problem is intermittent and only presents intelf under certain weather conditions. When rough shifting occurs, the problem immediately goes away when the engine is shut off and re-started.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hollywood, MD, USA