CHEVROLET ASTRO · model year

1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO

204 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999CHEVROLETASTRO carries 204 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 ASTRO is power train:automatic transmission with 14 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12) and air bags:frontal (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1999 ASTRO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

204
Complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

204 filings

Crashes Reported

25 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL6
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE5
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4

Recent Complaints

20141217SUSPENSION

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DROPPING THE FRONT END TO THE GROUND. *TR

Mileage: 251,470

20140709SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE 2- CHEVY ASTRO VANS. 1-1998, 1-1999. THE 1999 HAS CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES. THE MAIN BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED INTO. I WAS COMING BACK FROM A LONG TRIP YESTERDAY AND I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SOFT. WHEN I GOT HOME UPON INSPECTION I CHECKED THE BREAK FLUID AND IT WAS LOW. I FILLED IT. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FLUID BY THE BACK TIRE. AND LOOKED, I DISCOVERED ALL OF THE BRAKE AND GAS LINES WERE EAT UP WITH CORROSION. GM NEEDS TO TAKE THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND FIX IT IMMEDIATELY. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED , OR I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD. I INSPECTED THE 1998 ASTRO VAN TO SEE IF IT HAD A PROBLEM TO. AND UPON DOING SO DISCOVERED IT IS FINE, NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE PICS OF BOTH VANS THE PICS WILL SHOW THAT MY STATEMENT IS TRUE. I BOUGHT THE 1999 VAN (THE ONE WITH CORRODED LINES) IN THE STATE OF OHIO. AND I BOUGHT THE 1998 VAN IN ALABAMA.I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS, BUT I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FAULTY GM PRODUCT WITH CORRO

Mileage: 200,000

20140303FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT STATING THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ON ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *TR

Mileage: 230,000

20111211VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HAD CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED PRIOR TO ENTERING A REDUCED SPEED AREA AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. AFTER DEPARTING THE REDUCED SPEED AREA, I ENGAGED THE RESUME FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED PAST THE SET SPEED AND KEPT SPEEDING UP. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKES ALTHOUGH THEY GOT VERY HOT AND SMOKED SEVERELY. ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AS WELL AS TURNING OFF AND REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY STOPPING THE VEHICLE, I CONTINUED ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT ANY ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE RACING OF THE ENGINE. I EXAMINED THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 6 WAS LABELED "CRUISE MODULE, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, ELECTROMECHANICAL MIRROR". THE FUSE WAS REMOVED BUT THE ENGINE RACED UPON ATTEMPTING TO START IT. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 18 WAS LABELED "VCM-IGN 3, VCM-BRAKE, 4WAL, CRUISE STEPPER MOTOR SIGNAL". UPON REMOVING THIS FUSE, I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE, AND

Mileage: 103,412

20100929ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK MODULE THAT TURNED OFF THE GAS TO THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP BRIEFLY BUT THEN SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20100804CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN APPROX. 50 MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 133,000

20091228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WILL NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS DAMP. WILL TAKE 3 OR 4 DAYS TO DRY OUT BEFORE STARTING AGAIN. NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. TOWED TO SHOP VAN SITS INSIDE THE BAY DRIES OUT AND STARTS WITHIN 2-3 HOURS. HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT GETS DAMP. 10 YEARS BEEN DOING THE SAMETHING. *TR

20080224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

ANTI THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. LOCKS OWNER OUT FROM STARTING VEHICLE IN WET WEATHER. BAD PLACEMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM PLACED UNDER BATTERY. CORROSION OF SECURITY SYSTEMS COMMUNICATIONS WIRING CAUSED LOCK OUT AND CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20071024CrashSTEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE CONNECTED TO THE SAME UNIT, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE CALLED GM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE WORKED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20071024CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE CONNECTED TO THE SAME UNIT, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE CALLED GM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE WORKED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20071010CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH SNOW AND ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM AND HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WOUND TOOK 24 STITCHES TO CLOSE. MOST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $4,500. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT 25 MPH. THE ARKANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 07-00343. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,661 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20071010CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH SNOW AND ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM AND HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WOUND TOOK 24 STITCHES TO CLOSE. MOST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $4,500. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT 25 MPH. THE ARKANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 07-00343. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,661 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20060927STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING & POWER ASSIST BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED, CAUSING LACK OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP SNAPPED. *NM

Mileage: 57,000

20060828CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE PUMP HIMSELF AND DISCOVERED THE SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN THE PUMP. WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, IT CAUSED THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL AS WELL. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

Mileage: 63,500

20060207CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. AS I TRIED TO STOP OUR VAN I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE ALSO GONE CAUSING US TO ROLL INTO THE CORNER OF OUR HOME (BRICK) AT APPROXIMATELY 3 - 4 MPH WHICH CAUSED APPROXIMATELY $2500 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VAN. NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT COST $300 TO GET THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND ANOTHER $75 JUST TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE MADE DRIVABLE AGAIN. AFTER CONTACTING SEVERAL SERVICE AGENCIES I FIND THAT THE BRAKE BOOST SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HENCE, IF YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING, YOU LOSE YOUR BRAKES! I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE #1-383499552) AND THEIR ANSWER WAS, "YOU SHOULD STILL HAVE SOME BRAKES IF YOU PUSH HARD ENOUGH." I'M 5'10" TALL AND WEIGH 200 LBS. I HAD BOTH FEET PUSHING ON THE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR IF THEY WERE COMIN

Mileage: 73,290

20060109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING A LITER AND A HALF OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE SYSTEM WHICH WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ,AND THEY EXPLAINED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART. *AK

Mileage: 93,000

20051019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE HAVE A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN. WE HAD A FACTORY RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS SUPPLIED BY GUARANTY CHEVROLET ON 8-30-02, INSTALLED. THE VAN HAD 67,532 MILES. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. WE ALSO PAID TO HAVE A SEPARATE NEW COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO HAD THE DRIVESHAFT REBUILT AND BALANCED. NOW, OUR 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 44,547 MORE MILES SINCE INSTALLED IN 2002. WE HAVE SPENT $5,700.00. OUR TRANSMISSION PLACE WROTE GM. MARK DOWLER OF CHEVY CALLED ME AND SAID SORRY, WE WON'T HELP YOU. WE ARE GOING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF NEED BE. THANK YOU. *JB

Mileage: 67,532

20050907FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

DT: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED HAPPENING ON 3-21-05. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD TO FIX TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. *AK *MR

Mileage: 95,000

20050831SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

COMMENTS: WHY DID EVERYONE MISS THE 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH AWD? I ALREADY HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (AT MY COST) EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT LOCAL FIRESTONE GARAGE PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE, AND HAS THE RECORDS OF THE SERVICE. NEAR-MISS TOO MANY TIMES AT LOW SPEED STOPPING PROBLEMS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE CHEVY & GMC MINI-VANS!!! *JB

Mileage: 89,000

20050831SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

COMMENTS: WHY DID EVERYONE MISS THE 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH AWD? I ALREADY HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (AT MY COST) EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT LOCAL FIRESTONE GARAGE PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE, AND HAS THE RECORDS OF THE SERVICE. NEAR-MISS TOO MANY TIMES AT LOW SPEED STOPPING PROBLEMS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE CHEVY & GMC MINI-VANS!!! *JB

Mileage: 89,000

Compare 1999CHEVROLETASTRO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO have?
The 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO has 204 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 2 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO?
The most-complained component for the 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1999 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

Data as of 2025. 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.