PlainCars

CHEVROLET ASTRO · model year

1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO

93 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990CHEVROLETASTRO carries 93 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 6 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1990 ASTRO is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 27 filings, followed by steering:linkages:arm:idler and attachment (4) and power train:automatic transmission (4). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1990 ASTRO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

93
Complaints
8
Crashes
6
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

93 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP27
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER2
SEATS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
STEERING:COLUMN2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH2

Recent Complaints

20080402SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE

Mileage: 182,083

20080402EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE

Mileage: 182,083

20080402SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE

Mileage: 182,083

20080402SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE

Mileage: 182,083

20080402SEAT BELTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL BEARINGS FREEZE AND THE VEHICLE STEERS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SWAY BAR FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NO INTERNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED OCCASIONALLY, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE PLACES FOUR QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS AND SWAY BAR FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,083. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE

Mileage: 182,083

20040419SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

THE DRIVER'S SEAT UNDERSIDE FRAME TRACK RUNNERS THAT ATTACH TO THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT MOTORIZED SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO MAINTAIN ITS PROPER FUNCTION. THE RIGHT SIDE RUNNER WAS MADE FROM AN ALLUMINUM ALLOY AND THE LEFT SIDE RUNNER WAS MADE FROM A STEEL ALLOY. THE STEEL ALLOY HAS HELD UP AND MAINTAINED ITS POSITION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. HOWEVER, THE ALLUMINUM ALLOY RUNNER ON THE LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AND LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SEVERLY LEAN TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND BACK. ALONG WITH THE CURRENT SAFTEY RECALLS ABOUT THE INTERAL FRAME OF THE SEAT DESIGN. OTHER 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS THAT HAVE THE CURRENT PROBLEM COULD HAVE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY, IF NOT A FATALITY UPON EVEN A MODERATELY LOWSPEED COLLISION FROM ANY DIRECTION. IN 1993, WE BROUGHT THE VAN BACK TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS ACCURED ONCE AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURERS PART DESIGN HAS A CLEAR DEFECT.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

20020411SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED INTO A CONVERSION VAN. DRIVER'S SEAT BUSTED AND FELL BACKWARDS. *AK THE PART WHICH SUPPORTS THE BACK OF THE SEAT FAILED. *JG

20020215SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

HAD PLACED CHILD SEAT IN VEHICLE, THREADED SEAT BELT THROUGH AND LOCKED IT. SEAT BELT FAILED TO BE CINCHED TIGHT ENOUGH TO KEEP CHILD SEAT FROM TIPPING OVER WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS.*AK

20011025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN APPLIED. CAN HEAR ABS MOTOR CATCHING AND THEN RELEASING. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER.*AK

20010307TIRES

TIRE BUBLED TO ABOUT TWICE NORMAL SIZE ON ABOUT HALF OF TIRE. (TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )

20000829SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY CAUSED A THUMPING SOUND, AND BRAKES WOULD MOMENTARILY LOCK UP AT A STOP POSITION. ALSO, SUDDEN STOP WOULD CAUSE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AS WELL. ALL CONDITIONS WOULD HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON 3-4 OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

20000623UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN DRIVING AROUND TOWN I'VE NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALMOST EVERY OLDER VAN. I HAVE AN "84" PICK-UP AND I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

20000418POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING TO BACK THE VAN UP OUT OF THE GARAGE. IT WAS IN "PARK". HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND AS SOON AS THE VAN STARTED, IT BACKED UP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK. IT WENT SEVERAL FEET BEFORE MY HUSBAND HAS TO STOP IT BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. IF A CHILD HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE "TORQUE - CONVERTER". I WILL NEVER DRIVE THE VAN AGAIN. I REALIZE THE VAN HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG WITH A VEHICLE THAT OLD, BUT I CAR POOL SMALL CHILDREN. IT THAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME AT SCHOOL, I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE'S CHILD. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT OUR MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN TO HIM ONE TIME. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. *AK

20000418POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

MY HUSBAND WAS GOING TO BACK THE VAN UP OUT OF THE GARAGE. IT WAS IN "PARK". HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND AS SOON AS THE VAN STARTED, IT BACKED UP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN PARK. IT WENT SEVERAL FEET BEFORE MY HUSBAND HAS TO STOP IT BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. IF A CHILD HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE "TORQUE - CONVERTER". I WILL NEVER DRIVE THE VAN AGAIN. I REALIZE THE VAN HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG WITH A VEHICLE THAT OLD, BUT I CAR POOL SMALL CHILDREN. IT THAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME AT SCHOOL, I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE'S CHILD. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT OUR MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE HAS HAD IT HAPPEN TO HIM ONE TIME. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. *AK

20000411CrashSTEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

SHOULDER STRAP FAILED AS RESULT HIT FACE ON STEERING WHEEL. TWENTY STITCHES. *AK

20000405CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HIT BLACK PIECE OF ICE, SWERVED AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT FAILED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

20000308FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING HEARD CLICKING NOISE, VEHICLE STOPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. BY THE TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK

20000308STRUCTURE:BODY

STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING FLUID EXPULSION/ DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

20000308POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING FLUID EXPULSION/ DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

19991129SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS FAILURE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. YH

Compare 1990CHEVROLETASTRO to Similar Vehicles

ASTRO vs GMCJIMMY → ASTRO vs BMW328I → ASTRO vs DODGERAM 3500 → ASTRO vs CADILLACDEVILLE →

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module

PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed

Fuel Line Leak

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO have?▼
The 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO has 93 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 6 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Understanding NHTSA Complaints → Vehicle Recalls Explained → Safest Car Brands 2026 → Most Reliable Used Cars → Lemon Law Guide →

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1990 CHEVROLET ASTRO; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.