1996 Chevrolet Astro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro, 7% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down the interstate at 65 miles per hr. And all of a sudden I saw white smoke coming from the back of my van, it looked like the van was on fire, I lost all power to the van, and had no pick-up or speed. I had to divert the van to the shoulder of the highway. When I looked under the hood I found that the transmission cable had come unattached, and I had transmission fluid all over the ground. There were no warning signs whatsoever. Transmission fluid sprayed all the way to my back windshield of the van.”
NHTSA complaint #10112236, filed 2005-02, 110,000 miles“The oil cooler lines leaked oil onto the engine which caused it to smoke. The oil cooler lines have been replaced three times within the last 30,000 miles. There was noise in the front end due to a worn right front outer tie rod and when damp or cold out, a hard shift would be present when making turns.”
NHTSA complaint #10055242, filed 2001-04, 30,000 miles“I have experienced my transmision slaming hard into 2nd grear after moderate driving with the AC or defrost on. I have talked with a friend who is now having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #746661, filed 2001-06“We had the transmission go out the first time at 39,000 GM replaced it . The told us with a rebuilt transmssion and found out it was the transmission that was in it fixed. Then at 59,00 the transmission went out again. We had contacted spitzer autoworld at about 31,000 that we was having problems and the transmission was grinding till it warmed up then it quit. They said it wouldnt do any good to bring it in till it was doing it all the time which it wasnt so we didnt take it in. Then when it went out completly and we called them they dont want to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #750630, filed 2001-08“It all started with the rear axle. Several attempts to get dealer to reproduce the problem. Dealer stated wait until it gets worse so we can see the problem.problem discovered by dealer. Drive away with car and the rear axle fell out. Now dealer agrees to replace rear end gear box. Now transmission is starting to fail. Too far away from dealer to get tow. Left it in a transmission diagnostic center. My question is to you is can the problems that I was having with the rear end & the wheel falling off cause damage now to the transmision”
NHTSA complaint #706900, filed 1999-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 8 | 13% |
| 2002 | 5 | 7% |
| 2001 | 5 | 5% |
| 2000 | 19 | 11% |
| 1999 | 21 | 16% |
| 1998 | 26 | 11% |
| 1997 | 53 | 15% |
| 1996 | 19 | 7% |
| 1995 | 21 | 5% |
| 1994 | 12 | 4% |
| 1993 | 20 | 15% |
| 1992 | 12 | 9% |
| 1991 | 5 | 5% |
| 1990 | 5 | 7% |
| 1989 | 4 | 7% |
| 1988 | 8 | 14% |
| 1986 | 2 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
60 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsFuel system
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