1997 Chevrolet Astro Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro report a wide spread of problems on a vehicle that is now well into high mileage, with brakes, power windows and wipers, and transmission complaints most common in the sample. Brake and steering accounts often describe low-speed stopping concerns related to the ABS or the power-steering-driven hydro-boost system, while transmission complaints center on harsh 1-2 shifts after warm-up. Many reports come at mileages well above 80,000, and several describe repeated dealer visits without a lasting resolution.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS braking concern at low speed

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the brake pedal dropping or feeling soft and the van not decelerating as expected during low-speed stops, sometimes with a moaning sound and the van rolling into an intersection. Several owners say the master cylinder, booster, or power steering components were replaced without fixing it, and at least one reports relief only after disabling the ABS. Separately, a few describe brake lines rusted through and a pedal that pulls to one side. Reported from about 50,000 miles upward, mostly during low-speed stopping and turning.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS has been serviced and whether the brake lines have been inspected for rust. A slow-speed test stop on a wet or loose surface can reveal a soft or dropping pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The pedal positions and drivers foot room on my 1997 Chevrolet Astro contributed to an accident. I was turning left into a driveway which I could see was iced over. I was driving less than 5 MPH and braking when I entered the driveway and felt the anti-lock brakes begin to function. The brake pedal immediately dropped down and the van no longer decelerated. In fact the van accelerated the harder I stood on the brake pedal at which point I realized my right foot was pressing the accelerator as well as the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010398, filed 2003-03, 177,821 miles

   “Just before stopping at an intersection the brake pedal lifted slightly. There was a moaning sound from under the hood on the driver's side and the van drifted into the crosswalk ( lost braking ). I threw it into reverse to stop. After replacing the brake master cylinder, hydro booster, power steering pump and gear and hoses, the problem persisted. I finally found someone with the same problem on an on-line forum who suggested disabling the ABS by pulling the fuse. Problem immediately went away when anti -lock brake was disabled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10469913, filed 2012-08, 229,760 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   High or racing idle and unintended acceleration

   • 46 complaints (13%)
   • median 87,470 mi at 6.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2005

   Owners report the engine idling high or racing on its own, so the van keeps moving even with the brakes applied, and in some cases the accelerator pedal or cable sticks. Dealers have pointed to a fuel pressure regulator or throttle body cleaning as the underlying item. Some describe a kink in the accelerator that produced a lurch when pressed further. Reported from about 60,000 to 90,000 miles, often noticed when stopping or pulling away.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine warm, check that it settles to a steady idle and that the throttle and cable move freely and return fully. Ask whether the fuel pressure regulator or throttle body has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving our 97 chevy Astro van about 40mph when she attempted to stop. The van was not stopping so she pushed the brake pedal as hard as she could. Just as it was about to stop at the stop sign it lurched forward into the intersection. The van continued through the intersection at a high rate of speed (luckily there was no other cars coming). She tried to stop again now noticing that the engine was racing. She turned off the car and put it into park. We then had the van towed to the dealer we bought it at. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10007678, filed 2003-02, 90,000 miles

   “While driving accelerator cable shredded. The second time the guides broke and the vehicle accelerated up to 90 MPH. The brakes were smoking. The consumer applied pressure to slow the vehicle down. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and reported incident to Chevrolet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083936, filed 2004-09, 87,689 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power windows stop working or fail

   • 17 complaints (5%)
   • median 86,260 mi at 6.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2005

   Owners describe power windows that work intermittently or quit entirely, often with the glass stuck down and the switch only moving it an inch at a time. Several reports say window motors were replaced, sometimes more than once in a short period. Windshield wiper complaints also appear in the same component group, with wipers stopping mid-sweep or failing in rain. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with some failures noted earlier.

   Recall 03V159000

   What to check: Operate every window from both the master and door switches and watch for slow or stalled travel. Ask whether any window motors or the wiper motor have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power window on passenger side has failed. Vehicle has been through 2 new batteries since we purchased it 6 months ago. Seems to be draining batteries and we are not sure why. We put battery on recharger overnight, but within hours of taking itoff the charger, the battery is drained while the car is not running.”

   NHTSA complaint #10078400, filed 2004-06, 125,000 miles

   “Electric window controls on my 1997 Chevrolet Astro van have started working intermittently. Started happening right after I had a dealership repair the windshield wiper controls pursuant to GM recall. Mostly occurs after window is down, and switch will not operate to roll window up. If I wait a minute, the switch will work, but will only roll window up an inch or two at a time before it stops working again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10023297, filed 2003-06, 80,520 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh 1-2 transmission shift when warm

   • 36 complaints (10%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe a hard bang or lurch on the first-to-second shift after 20 to 40 minutes of driving, feeling like being hit from behind, sometimes with the service engine light. Owners report repeated rebuilds or replacements and diagnostics at several shops with the problem returning. Some also mention slipping, failure to engage reverse, or torque converter and valve body wear. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, typically after the van is fully warmed up.

   What to check: Drive long enough to warm the transmission fully, then feel for a hard 1-2 shift from a stop. Ask for transmission service records and whether the unit has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My van is a 1997 Astro and it has some serious transmission problems after going 30-40 miles and stoping at a light it jerks real hard and feels like I was hit in the back I have took it 3 times to get fixed and it still does it the service ingine light comes on when it starts doing it no one seems to know wheat wrong they just keep takeing my money and telling me its fixed when its no if some one could tell me what the problem is I would be very happy the fuel pump went out 900.00$ the driver window motor went out the idler arms have had to …”

   NHTSA complaint #10067931, filed 2004-04, 60,000 miles

   “After driving for 20-40 minutes, the transmission will shift very hard from first to second gear. We have reported this to the dealer and am told that it would cost $1800.00 + to replace the transmission. We have had 3 transmission shops look at this problem and run diagnostics and tune up on the transmission. The problem still exists. We have been dealing with this aggravating situation the last two years, spoken with many people in the repair business and no one seems to be able to pinpoint the exact problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #765815, filed 2002-08
5. 5
   Steering

   Loss of power steering and brake assist

   • 38 complaints (11%)
   • median 141,150 mi at 13.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2012

   Complaints describe sudden loss of power steering together with a mushy or weak brake pedal, which owners link to the power steering pump or hydro-boost system that supplies brake assist. Some report a broken shaft in the pump and difficult steering during emergency stops. Several note the van remained drivable but steering and braking required much more effort. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 78,000 to over 150,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for power steering whine or leaks, and confirm the pedal feels firm when the engine is running. Ask whether the power steering pump or hydro-boost unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1997 chevy Astro van with 151k miles. Sunday, the power steering pump went out. When it did so, the brakes turned mushy with little braking power. We were lucky as we had just come down a steep driveway. If they had failed then our choices would have been to run into the back of a car if we could have turned, run into a group of people and then continued down a steep hill into brush and forest with likely casualties. Luckily, we had just started up to leave and noticed the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10410205, filed 2011-07, 151,300 miles

   “Highway traffic suddenly slowed due to an accident ahead. The steel brake line to the rear brakes failed due to excessive rust during an emergency stop on highway. The front brakes were able to safely stop the vehicle with no contact with any other vehicles. Steering was also very difficult during the stop possibly due to ABS action, but no wheel lock ever occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10227898, filed 2008-05, 131,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age of this model year, service history matters more than any single item: ask for records on brakes, transmission, and power steering, and budget for repairs on those systems. A thorough test drive that includes slow-speed stops, a long warm-up, and a check of every window and wiper is worth more than the odometer alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.