Total Complaints
82 filings
CHEVROLET ASTRO · model year
82 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003CHEVROLETASTRO carries 82 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 6 fires, 4 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 2003 ASTRO is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 10 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and service brakes, hydraulic (6). 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. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2003 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.
Total Complaints
82 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 4 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
CERTAIN MINIVANS HAVE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT RUBBER BOOT AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE (BOTH LEFT/RIGHT SIDES), WHICH COULD RESULT IN CUTTING OF THE BOOT THAT IS INTENDED TO SEAL THE BALL JOINT. IF THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WERE CUT, CONTAMINATION FROM THE ROAD (SALT, DIR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V328000 (SUSPENSION) WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY STEERING KNUCKLE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MYRTLE BEACH CHEVROLET (1785 US-501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER MADE AND THERE WERE NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 392,000.
Mileage: 392,000
FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.
Mileage: 118,000
FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.
Mileage: 118,000
FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.
Mileage: 118,000
2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF COLLISION. ASTRO VAN WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT WHEEL WELL & BUMPER. DRIVER WHO HIT VAN WAS EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT, APPROXIMATELY DOING CLOSER TO 40 MPH IN A 25 MPH ZONE WHEN THEY HIT OUR VAN. WE WERE JUST STARTING TO PROCEED AFTER A STOP SIGN, BARELY DOING 10 - 15 MPH. THE ASTRO VAN WAS DRAGGED APPROXIMATELY 6-7 FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, DRIVER WAS INJURED RIGHT SIDE BACK & RIBS BRUISED AND POSSIBLE CONCUSSION HEAD INJURY TO LEFT SIDE OF HEAD DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT.
Mileage: 206,000
I WAS DRIVING PULLING A TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRAFFIC STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A SAFE DISTANCE WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKES WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND STOP. I HAD TO GO THRU THE EMERGENCY LANE. I TOLD MY SON TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I WAS UNDERNEATH AND THE BRAKE LINES BROKE. THEY WHERE ALL RUSTED OUT. I HAD TO GET A WRECKER TO TAKE IT HOME.IF YOU NEED TO SEE MY VAN CALL ME SO YOU CAN SEE THE BRAKE LINES. *TR
Mileage: 96,500
MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE STOPPED AT A YARD SALE. WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND STARTED TO BACK OUT WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THEN WHEN SHE WANTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE EXTREME HARD TO OPERATE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE LEARNED OF HUNDREDS OF BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AND OTHER CARS THAT USE SIMILAR BRAKE BOOSTER TECHNOLOGY. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AND WE WERE STOPPED AT A YARD SALE. WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND STARTED TO BACK OUT WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THEN WHEN SHE WANTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE EXTREME HARD TO OPERATE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE LEARNED OF HUNDREDS OF BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AND OTHER CARS THAT USE SIMILAR BRAKE BOOSTER TECHNOLOGY. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
I AM COMPLAINING OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT BY A FEW CAR REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING MY ABS CPU. MY VAN IS HESITATING TERRIBLY AND CAUSING THE VAN TO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING. I HAVE ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AND GM IS BLAMING IT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO ASTRO VANS(2003) ACROSS THE ENTIRE US. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20MPH OR LESS, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITH AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WHEEL SPEED SEN
Mileage: 50,000
I AM COMPLAINING OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT BY A FEW CAR REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING MY ABS CPU. MY VAN IS HESITATING TERRIBLY AND CAUSING THE VAN TO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING. I HAVE ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AND GM IS BLAMING IT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO ASTRO VANS(2003) ACROSS THE ENTIRE US. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20MPH OR LESS, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITH AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WHEEL SPEED SEN
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Mileage: 67,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Mileage: 67,000
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES. THE PREVIOUS DAY THIS VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER ON A MICHIGAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND A WET AREA WAS VISIBLE ON THE CONCRETE. IT WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND THAT HAD DRIPPED FROM THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE AND DRAINED THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN MOVING THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAK. THE BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH! FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN THE PREVIOUS DAY AS IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE BRAKE LINES AND NONE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET. THE DEALER WANTED OVER $1700 TO REPLACE THE LINES AND SAID THERE MAY BE MORE ITEMS TO REPLACE - POSSIBLY ANOTHER $700 OR MORE. PLUS, FUEL LINES WERE ALSO RUSTING AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED TOO. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT OR EXTREME DAMAGE AS THE BRAKES WERE COMP
Mileage: 80,000
2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WIRING HARNESS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED TO THE LEFT *TGW OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE CONSTANT CONTACT DAMAGED THE WIRING HARNESS AND ALLOWED THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM TO TOUCH THE WIRES INSIDE THE WIRING HARNESS. THE END RESULT CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2011 WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN WOULD SOMETIMES CAUSE THE RADIO AND THE AC TO DIE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ALSO COME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SINK TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, EVERYTHING DIED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MANUALLY PUSH UP THE DOOR LOCKS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE DISC
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A WIRING HARNESS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THIS CONSTANT CONTACT DAMAGES THE WIRING HARNESS AND ALLOWS THE STEERING KNUCKLE/ARM TO TOUCH THE WIRES INSIDE THE WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY SO THE END RESULT IS DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRES ALSO SHEATHED IN THAT WIRING HARNESS. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GROCERY STORE PARKING SPACE, EVERYTHING DIED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RE-START AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKED, FROM THE DOOR LOCKS TO THE RADIO. EVERYTHING WAS DEAD. WE COULD SMELL BURNING WIRES AND TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE LOCKED WE COULD NOT GET THEM OPEN. WE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH UP OUR DOOR LOCKS; EACH OF US PUSHING UP THE LOCK OF OUR OWN DOOR, SO THAT WE COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN WHEN THE PROBLEM OCC
Mileage: 80,246
THROTTLE CABLE STICKING DUE TO OUTER LAYER OF BRAIDED CABLE BEING FRAYED. ROUTING OF CABLE CAUSED A KINK IN THE OUTER JACKET THAT FRAYED THE OUTER LAYER OF A BRAIDED CABLE FROM THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO OPEN AND REMAIN AT WHAT EVER POINT IT WAS BY THE PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. THE CABLE WAS ROUTED BELOW A HOSE AT THE FIREWALL PUSHING THE OUTER JACKET DOWNWARD AND WAS THAT WAY FROM THE FACTORY AS FAR AS I AM AWARE. NO HOSES HAVE BEEN CHANGED. REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND ROUTED IT ABOVE THE HOSE AT THE FIREWALL TO ELIMINATE THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE OUTER JACKET AND ALL IS OPERATING PROPERLY. DEALER HAD NO INTEREST IN FIXING OR INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COST BEING INCURRED BY ME. MADE THE REPAIR MYSELF WITH A NEW THROTTLE CABLE OBTAINED THROUGH A DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT. *TR
Mileage: 168,058
2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. DROVE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT ON AUGUST 1, 2010. MONDAY MORNING AUGUST, 2, 2010 BATTERY WAS DEAD (PURCHASED NEW FEBRUARY 2010). REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY ON AUGUST 2, 2010. FIRST CONNECTED THE POSITIVE CABLE. ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT NEGATIVE CABLE. NEGATIVE POST TERMINAL SPARKED AND BATTERY CABLE GOT VERY HOT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. INSPECTED FUSES. ALL GOOD. TRACE VISIBLE PORTIONS OF POSITIVE CABLE TO FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. NO INDICATION OF GROUNDING. CONTACTED MECHANIC WHO ON AUGUST 14, 2010 PERFORMED TEST ON FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. ALL GOOD. MECHANIC THOROUGHLY TRACED POSITIVE CABLE. DISCOVERED SHORT LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE BEHIND THE STEERING LINKAGE. STATED THAT CABLE SHEATH HAD BEEN WORN AWAY BY THE RUBBING OF THE TIE ROD AND WAS GROUNDING OUT ON THE BODY AND THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND HAD CABLE REPLACE
Mileage: 78,000
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR ALONG SLIGHTLY SNOW-COVERED ROAD TOWARDS STOPPED TRAFFIC AT RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES GENTLE, AS REQUIRED BY THE CONDITIONS, BUT THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED TO SHUDDER AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE AT ALL. I HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION AND EVEN WITH A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED IMPACT, OUR VEHICLE WAS WRITTEN OFF AND THE OTHER WAS TOWED AWAY BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. OUR VAN WAS DRIVABLE, BUT JUST BARELY, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY WRITTEN OFF BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS CHARGED WITH CARELESS DRIVING WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE CASE. WE HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME YEAR AND SIMILAR MODEL AND IT DOES THE SAME THING OCCASIONALLY BUT SO FAR THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY FURTHER COLLISIONS. WE HAVE OWNED ASTRO VANS SINCE THEY WERE FIRST MARKETED IN 1985 AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE TO ACT LIKE THIS. WE PURCHASED 1985, 1992, 1998, AND 2003 MODELS (2). I AM ASKING MY WIFE, ROSE, WHO IS ALSO THE REGIS
Mileage: 173,000
I OWN A 2003, CHEVROLET ASTRO. ON SUNDAY, JUNE, 28, 2009, I WAS DRIVING ON I-94, BETWEEN ALEXANDRIA, MN AND FERGUS FALLS, MN. I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WHEN I APPROACHED A VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOWER SPEED. I PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE AND PROCEEDED TO PASS. AS I WAS PASSING, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE WAS COMING UP TO ME AT A FAST PACE, SO I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR, TO GET BY THE VEHICLE, THAT I WAS PASSING, A LITTLE QUICKER. WHEN I PASSED THE VEHICLE, I LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR, TO GET BACK TO THE SPEED I WAS PREVIOUSLY TRAVELING. INSTEAD OF MY VEHICLE SLOWING BACK DOWN, IT CONTINUED TO GO FASTER, I TOUCHED MY BRAKE PEDAL, TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED, 80MPH AND CLIMBING. I THEN STEPPED ON MY BRAKE, ON AND OFF, TO GET BACK TO ABOUT 60MPH, MOVED MY SWITCH,FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, TO THE OFF POSITION. I CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THERE JUST HAPPENED TO
Mileage: 101,487
VEHICLE: 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN DEFECT SUMMARY: FACTORY DESIGN DIRECTS LEAKED BATTERY ACID TO DRIP DOWN ON A STEEL BRAKE LINE. DETAILS: THE (+) BATTERY TERMINAL SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE OFF THIS VEHICLE'S OEM DELCO BATTERY. THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO EITHER: 1) CABLE CONNECTOR BEING OVER-TORQUED AT THE GM FACTORY, OR 2) AN INTEGRAL FAULT WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE DESIGN OF THIS YEAR-MODEL OF ASTRO IS SUCH THAT THE NATURAL PATH FOR ACID DRIP-PAGE IS ON TO A STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED BELOW, AND IN FRONT, OF THE BATTERY. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED BY A LOCAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC BECAUSE THE LINE IS SEVERELY CORRODED DUE TO THE ACID EXPOSURE. BECAUSE OF THE INACCESSIBILITY OF THE BRAKE LINE AND ITS CONNECTIONS, THE REPAIR COST WILL NOT BE CHEAP. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BATTERY AND CABLE HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY POST-MANUFACTURE MISUSE OR DISTURBANCE. THE PROBLEM IS SOLELY DUE TO POOR PLACEMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC LINE, COUPLED WITH THE FACTORY INDUCED BATTERY BREAKAGE. I HAVE DIG
Mileage: 31,346
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.