1997 Chevrolet Astro Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 8%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 137,560miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, 8% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,560 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Auxiliary air conditionr (A/C) rear switch failed/ melted/ smoked. This was the second time in 4 years. Went to the junk yard, and found thet 5 of 5 Astro vans with this type switch also were melted/burned. No appearent defect with rear blower motor that would pull excessive amps.”
NHTSA complaint #10190577, filed 2007-05, 213,000 miles“1997 Chevrolet astrovan with electrical door locks. Pulled into sheetz gas and go and went to open the drivers door and it did not open. Tried to push the manual inside door lock but it was totally frozen and would not actuate. Next tried electrical door lock switch. No response on drivers door but there was weak sound from passenger door lock solenoid. It was as if on the passenger side it was suffering from insufficient voltage. Crawled out of passenger seat and got out of car. ' took ignition key and inserted it into drivers door lock. …”
NHTSA complaint #10549828, filed 2013-10, 137,560 miles“I have a 1997 Astro, in the past 8 months the driver side window motor, windshield wiper motor and transmission have all been replaced. The transmission was replaced with 54,202 miles on it, which started giving us problems at about 53,000 miles. The dealership replaced both idler arms at 25,680 miles. Had seat belt chime fixed (recall), driver seat feels loose when stopping dealership claims to have tightened it, still feels loose. The van has always idled rough took it in 3 times for that and can't seem to fix that. Sliding door rattle they tried to fix that also still rattles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010394, filed 2003-03, 53,000 miles“Within months of purchase, on april, 2003, the power windows failed to open. Then the cd player would not eject the cd's. The intermediate levels of the windshield wipers no longer worked by that winter. The battery has been replaced twice due to it discharging, I have jumped the van and placed the batteries on chargers, only to be dead again after a test drive. I have replaced the connectors as well in hopes that was the problem but to no avail. Now the rear heater does not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10106318, filed 2005-01Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10170494Dec 2, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 11% |
| 2004 | 2 | 14% |
| 2003 | 10 | 16% |
| 2002 | 13 | 19% |
| 2001 | 7 | 8% |
| 2000 | 23 | 13% |
| 1999 | 19 | 14% |
| 1998 | 25 | 10% |
| 1997 | 28 | 8% |
| 1996 | 13 | 5% |
| 1995 | 24 | 5% |
| 1994 | 13 | 4% |
| 1993 | 11 | 8% |
| 1992 | 15 | 11% |
| 1991 | 8 | 8% |
| 1990 | 6 | 9% |
| 1989 | 5 | 9% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro
67 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsEquipment
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Astro
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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