1997 Chevrolet Astro Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 9%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, 9% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The consumer's 1987 and 1997 Chevrolet Astro vans had faulty engine's.***no answer required***. The power windows failed, the driver's seat came loose, the rear door hatch broke and the transmission failed due to the torque converter slipping and valve body wear (90000 miles).”
NHTSA complaint #10117266, filed 2005-03, 30,000 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“Paint is peeling and cracking on my 1997 Chevrolet Astro. While under warrenty the roof was repainted. Soon it started to crack but dealer would not help. As a owner of several GM vehicles I feel my van should be repainted for free since this is a known defect of GM. All I am asking for is for GM to pay to have my van fully repainted. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you. Anthony o. Hooper.”
NHTSA complaint #10074844, filed 2004-06“The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Astro. While changing one of the tires the contact noticed that the cable which holds the spare tire underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. While the contact was performing his owns repair to replace the cable, it fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 153,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10376220, filed 2011-01, 140,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 11% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 7% |
| 2001 | 5 | 5% |
| 2000 | 15 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 32 | 9% |
| 1996 | 15 | 6% |
| 1995 | 20 | 4% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 8 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 4% |
| 1989 | 5 | 9% |
| 1988 | 4 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 10% |
| 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 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 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 27, 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