1997 Chevrolet Astro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 15%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, 15% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 be replaced brakes keep wearing down ...please…”
NHTSA complaint #10067931, filed 2004-04, 60,000 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“Brake problems on 1997 Chevrolet Astro van. The consumer stated that more brake work was needed. The brakes had rusted and needed to be turned, the A/C was not blowing cold and there was a heating concern. The rear axle seals and differential gaskets were leaking..”
NHTSA complaint #10092588, filed 2004-09, 18,796 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“I have owned this vehicle for a year and have had problems with throttle since then. Transmission was overhauled due to faulty coolant hos a month after purchase and now trns. Fliud pump is shot. Window motors are not working properly and niether are power locks. Friend owns 97' safari and has same exact problems. Is costing me more than van is worth”
NHTSA complaint #711459, filed 1999-09Transmission 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 1997 Chevrolet Astro
67 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsBody and structure
32 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 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