1996 Chevrolet Astro Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 23%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro, 23% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1996 Chevrolet Astro van. I've replaced the driver and passenger side power window motor's four times, each. Our company has 26 vehicles, all Astro van's and all have the same problem. I just received a recall notice about the wiper motor on this vehicle. The power window motor definitely is more of a problem. I can't believe that there hasn't been a recall. In the winter, you'll being driving, lower the window and all of a sudden can't get it up. It's even more of a problem when it rains. Please check into this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030645, filed 2003-08, 39,000 miles“Windshield wipers intermittently do not work. Has happened during all sorts of conditions. When stopped, moving, etc.. Last time failure occurred when vehicle was on a major highway in a driving rainstorm. When Chevrolet was contacted on june 30, 1999, they stated there was a recall for this problem. It is for the pulse printed circuit board and the number is 97v043. When they checked our VIN, I was informed it did not apply to our vehicle. This condition is potentially life threatening and should be investigated. …”
NHTSA complaint #708090, filed 1999-06“Sometimes windshield wipers work fine/some times windshield wipers will go fast, even on intermittent basis, and some times they don't work at all. There was a recall on wipers mulfunctions during the previous year and the consumer believes that this problem is the same as the 95 models. The A/C hose assembly failed twice and was repaired, but it failed again.”
NHTSA complaint #881078, filed 2001-02“Wipers quit working during heavy rain storm, switch position made no difference. After several minutes they started working again, only to fail working after a short period of time. This happened (4) more times during our driving time of 6 hours returning home from vacation.”
NHTSA complaint #764594, filed 2002-07“Chevrolet Astro van 1996. The drivers window motor stopped working about 6 months after purchase, was repaired, then it stopped working again about a 6 months later. The Chevrolet dealer will not fix it because they say it is out of warranty. Still unusable.”
NHTSA complaint #10018904, filed 2003-05Related recalls
- 03V159000Apr 28, 2003On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked…Covers: Chevrolet Astro 1995–1997, Suburban 1994–1997, GMC Suburban 1994–1997 +10 more
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 7% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 7% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 11 | 8% |
| 1998 | 46 | 19% |
| 1997 | 62 | 17% |
| 1996 | 60 | 23% |
| 1995 | 104 | 23% |
| 1994 | 88 | 27% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 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 30, 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