1985 Chevrolet Astro Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. The part named most often is steering, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and seat belts (1). NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the chamber and 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering2 40%
- Brakes1 20%
- Seat belts1 20%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I had a recall done on this at that time the dealer just relplaced the buckle buttons and put some spring clip on the retractor, the spring did not hold and the retractor totally gave up working I heard it spring all over in the pillar and the buckle has totally detriorated from the uv light if the recall would have been done right I would not have these problems with the seat belts.rakes has never worked properly and there was a recall on this but only for manual transmissions even though the same componets failed on the automatic transmission cars as well seen it all the time when I worked…”
NHTSA complaint #766019, filed 2002-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Chevrolet Astro version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
6 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V187000Nov 16, 1993SeatsCovers: Chevrolet Astro 1985–1991, GMC Safari 1985–1991, Chevrolet Suburban 1989–1990 +1 more
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
- 85V160000Dec 3, 1985Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)Covers: Chevrolet Astro 1985, GMC Safari 1985
A part of the steering gear housing which attaches to the frame may break. Consequence of defect: steering difficulties will occur and the steering gear to the frame may fracture resulting in loss of steering control. This could result in a vehicle crash.
- 85V124000Oct 7, 1985Parking brake › Driveline › Air › ChamberCovers: Chevrolet Astro 1983–1985
The rear brake release time may be greater than the time specified in fmvss 121, "air brake system". In addition, some tractors may have warped parking brake apply springs which also effect the rear brake release time. Consequence of defect: tractors fail to…
Recall details for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA92022Seat back bolt breakageClosed · Jun 24, 1992
- PE89106Rear axle seal failureClosed · Mar 23, 1989
- EA87009REAR BRAKESClosed · Jan 21, 1987
- PE86053Inadequate rear brakesClosed · May 1, 1986
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Astro
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 | 24,500 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 14 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 62 | 67,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 70 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 91 | 62,500 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 175 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 133 | 74,900 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 241 | 88,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 360 | 91,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 263 | 101,000 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 446 | 113,250 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 328 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 135 | 145,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 132 | 111,370 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 95 | 258,900 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 68 | 116,042 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 57 | 44,594 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 56 | — | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 29 | 95,451 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Astro model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Chevrolet Astro have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Chevrolet Astro is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1985 Chevrolet Astro been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Chevrolet Astro get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Chevrolet Astro (Astro 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.