1996 Chevrolet Astro Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 23%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,611miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro, 23% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,611 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife went to move our 1996 Chevrolet Astro van and when she backed up the right front tire was rubbing on the wheel well. Upon further investigation it was determined that one of the torsion bars broke. When I called my local dealer I found the parts were readily available but I would have to replace both sides because they had been updated . The parts alone were over $500.00. When I removed the old torsion bars I found out what had caused it to break, the receiver tube that the end of the bar went into had filled with dirt and road crude causing the bar to rust and eventully break. …”
NHTSA complaint #10046024, filed 2003-11, 83,000 miles“The consumer sat in the driveway, the left side torsion bar snapped. The front left side of the vehicle was sitting on the left front tire. The part was only available through the dealer. By coincidence the right side was sent as well and was sold by the pair. The parts were redesigned and a new but different bracket was included. Gm forced the repair of both sides at the expense of the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10015592, filed 2003-04, 95,690 miles“While driving the consumer heard a popping noise. When the vehicle was pulled over, and the front end dropped a few inches. Dealer determined that torsion bar had broken. The consumer stated that this wasn't the first time this problem happened, in re: 1988 Astro van. Scc”
NHTSA complaint #8017875, filed 2002-09, 78,000 miles“Torsion bar broke, dealer claims that it was a defect in the design of the torsion bar, the bar was to long. Now they have a shorter bar. I had to replace both sides with the new design because the original part was discontinued.”
NHTSA complaint #10069243, filed 2004-01, 92,000 miles“The torsion bar snapped in half. This bar was inadequate to the vehicle, and GM has a modified version for this. The bar broke while the consumer was driving the vehicle. The consumer was going 10 MPH, when this happened and this caused the left front to drop down about 8 to 10 inches and was a violent drop. There were no problems before this. There were no wrecks involved. The consumer had to take in to the midas dealer and have the torsion bars on the left and right replaced with the new modified version. The front shock also broke, as a result of the bar breaking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10122345, filed 2005-06, 71,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 7% |
| 2003 | 8 | 13% |
| 2001 | 6 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 21 | 9% |
| 1997 | 24 | 7% |
| 1996 | 60 | 23% |
| 1995 | 75 | 17% |
| 1994 | 40 | 12% |
| 1993 | 20 | 15% |
| 1992 | 13 | 10% |
| 1991 | 3 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 4 | 7% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro
60 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology