1987 Chevrolet Astro Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,451miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro. The part named most often is steering, with 11 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and engine cooling (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,451 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 8 an injury, 3 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Steering11 38%
- Seat belts6 21%
- Engine cooling3 10%
- Seats3 10%
- Body and structure3 10%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.9%
- Equipment1 3.5%
Example complaints
Steering: “Brackets surrounding the power steering pump failing in this model vehicle which in turn causes the serpentine belt to pop while driving leaving a power failure and ability to steer the vehicle. I nearly crashed my vehicle in rush hour traffic because I could not steer to get off the road. Doing research over last few dates talking to mechanics this has been seen on numerous occasions. The part to fix the bracket is hard to find.”
NHTSA complaint #10168505, filed 2006-09, 144,000 milesSeat belts: “Vehicle's front passenger seat belt malfunctioned, the housing will only let 6 inches worth of belt loose, not allowing a person to use it, the rear passenger seat belts are experiencing the same problem with the retractors.”
NHTSA complaint #804492, filed 1996-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 94,201 and 144,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 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 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Astro 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Astro 2WD (passenger) | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
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.
- 91V102000Jun 14, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Chevrolet Astro 1987–1991
The seat belts for the front and mid-ship seats did not rest on pelvis as required by fmvss 209.
Recall details for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA92022Seat back bolt breakageClosed · Jun 24, 1992
- PE92015Driver seat back failureClosed · Feb 4, 1992
- EA90023Power steering failureClosed · Apr 16, 1990
- PE90028Power steering failureClosed · Dec 15, 1989
- PE89106Rear axle seal failureClosed · Mar 23, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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 1987 Chevrolet Astro have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Chevrolet Astro is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 11 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1987 Chevrolet Astro been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Chevrolet Astro get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Chevrolet Astro (Astro 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Chevrolet Astro reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,451 miles and the middle half falls between 94,201 and 144,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.