CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Chevy Astro Van has a solid reputation with very low complaint rates. The only problem now is finding one with low miles.
Not only is the 2003 Astro Van reliable, but since they were built on a truck powertrain, they can tow 5,500/5,000 lbs (RWD/AWD) -- almost double what other minivans can.
The Chevy Astro is mechanically identical to the GMC Safari.
I have a 2003 Chevy Astro AWD cargo van for the last eight months, and I have just paid to have the master cylinder replaced and it did not fix my problem. There is a slight hesitation at the top of the brake pedal, kinda like a pop. At times it will not let me depress the pedal until I stand on the brake pedal, and then suddenly the brakes will engage hard due to the pressure I'm putting on the pedal throwing me forward, (it would not lock up the wheels on dry pavement, maybe so on wet?).
I was on a trip of 200 miles one way, (almost there), and went to slow down and it did the usual thing, but this time the brakes would not release even after stepping on the gas hard, it just continued to slow down. I pulled off the roadway and set there for a minute until traffic cleared, then drove it about 500 feet with the brakes still grabbing, to a parking lot. I got out and felt all four of the wheels and they (all 4) were very warm...didn't want to touch them.
I was told by the service tech, that he "didn't know for sure why they were acting up", but said he’d seen problems similar to what I was having before and replacing the master cylinder fixed it...Not! No one can tell me what the problem is...only “may be this..†After spending $357.67 to have a “master cylinder†put on, I cannot afford another bill like that and not fix the problem. (On disability only). I had already spent 2 1/2 hours pulling all the wheels off and making sure it was not in the brake pads, calipers, ect...everything worked well when we were done before I left out and, repeated at the "Nation wide chain" repair garage before they put the master cylinder on.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have a 2003 Chevy Astro AWD cargo van for the last eight months, and I have just paid to have the master cylinder replaced and it did not fix my problem. There is a slight hesitation at the top of the brake pedal, kinda like a pop. At times it will not let me depress the pedal until I stand on the brake pedal, and then suddenly the brakes will engage hard due to the pressure I'm putting on the pedal throwing me forward, (it would not lock up the wheels on dry pavement, maybe so on wet?).
I was on a trip of 200 miles one way, (almost there), and went to slow down and it did the usual thing, but this time the brakes would not release even after stepping on the gas hard, it just continued to slow down. I pulled off the roadway and set there for a minute until traffic cleared, then drove it about 500 feet with the brakes still grabbing, to a parking lot. I got out and felt all four of the wheels and they (all 4) were very warm...didn't want to touch them.
I was told by the service tech, that he "didn't know for sure why they were acting up", but said he’d seen problems similar to what I was having before and replacing the master cylinder fixed it...Not! No one can tell me what the problem is...only “may be this..†After spending $357.67 to have a “master cylinder†put on, I cannot afford another bill like that and not fix the problem. (On disability only). I had already spent 2 1/2 hours pulling all the wheels off and making sure it was not in the brake pads, calipers, ect...everything worked well when we were done before I left out and, repeated at the "Nation wide chain" repair garage before they put the master cylinder on.
- Michael S., Brooklyn, MI, US