1998 Chevrolet Astro Problems

What owners report

Complaints on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro center on windshield wipers that stop, stay on, or run only intermittently, and on anti-lock brakes that cycle at very low speed and extend stopping distance. Owners also describe fuel leaks from the injectors and wiring area, cooling losses such as head gasket and water pump problems, and hard 1-2 shifts in the transmission. Many reports are filed between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, and several owners note that similar earlier-model-year recalls did not cover this year.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or run intermittently

   • 36 complaints (15%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Owners describe wipers that fail intermittently, stay running after the switch is turned off, stop mid-windshield, or lose the high-speed setting, sometimes with the washer also not working. Several report the wiper motor or pulse board was replaced, and some say the dealer or manufacturer told them no recall applied to this year. A number of complaints note that earlier Astro model years had a wiper recall for what owners believe is the same part. Reported from about 8,000 to 245,000 miles, with most complaints filed between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the wipers on and off through every speed and intermittent setting, including in wet weather if possible, and ask whether the wiper motor or pulse board has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at any speed windshield wipers only worked intermittently. When the windshield wipers were turned off, the blades stopped in the middle of the windshield. Also, washer fluid did not eject like intended. There was a problem with the electric windows moving up or down on demand. There were times when the windows got stuck in the up position or in the down positions.”

   NHTSA complaint #10055501, filed 2004-01, 50,000 miles

   “Windshield wipers failed to operate at times when switched on. When they did operate, the wiper high speed function would not work. This is the identical problem that existed with my 1996 Chevrolet blazer. The blazer was subject to a recall for a faulty wiper control module, which fixed the problem. Both vehicles use the same type of wiper control module, which appears to lose a connection on the module.”

   NHTSA complaint #10110106, filed 2005-02, 97,490 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, longer stops

   • 27 complaints (11%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2013

   Complaints describe the anti-lock system cycling or pulsing during the last few mph of braking, with the pedal kicking back and stopping distance increasing; some owners say they had to swerve or used reverse to stop. Several mention a wheel speed sensor, rust buildup at the sensor and hub, or caliper and rotor work without a lasting fix, and one owner pulled the ABS fuse to keep brakes at low speed. A service bulletin covers a brake pedal that moves or self-applies during full-lock turns, and the Hydro-Boost unit is described in bulletins as not serviceable and needing replacement. Mostly reported under about 100,000 miles, typically when braking below 10 mph on dry or wet pavement.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test braking from a walking pace to a stop several times on dry pavement and listen or feel for ABS cycling; ask for records of wheel speed sensor, hub, and Hydro-Boost work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Comments: I read where NHTSA has started an investigation into this problem. I have a 1998 Astro awd pasasenger van with the same symptoms (started at 50,000 miles, currently has 67,000 miles. I pulled the fuse so I at least have brakes at slow speeds. I nearly ran into my garage and am concerned becauase we live near railroad tracks. Have rolled into intersections beacause of this safety problem. Abs engages at slow speed which allows vehicle to keep going (renders to brajes useless) there is a TSB by GM on this shown below. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10125960, filed 2005-06, 50,000 miles

   “While slowing to a stop at about 2 MPH on dry pavement, the vehicle's anti-lock braking system started rapidly cycling, no brakes were grabbing because of the rapid cycling, the engine started to race slightly, and the vehicle was headed for either two pedestrians or a building. To stop the vehicle, I placed the transmission in reverse and the vehicle came to a stop. After another brake attempt the brakes responded. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150622, filed 2006-02, 53,756 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks at injectors and into wiring

   • 29 complaints (12%)
   • median 94,186 mi at 6.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2014

   Owners report fuel leaks from the fuel filter, tank assembly, or injectors, and in a few cases gasoline traveled along the wiring harness into the engine computer, requiring injector and computer replacement. Others describe a sudden loss of power traced to a faulty fuel pump, or a security system that shut down the fuel system. Complaints also mention the service engine soon light coming on before or during these events. Reported from about 60,000 to 245,000 miles, with several cases in the 84,000 to 134,000 mile range.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for fuel smell around the engine and under the van, inspect the fuel filter and lines for weeping, and ask whether injectors or the computer have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 chevy Astro van that qualifies for a expired warranty for GM that is related to a defect in their fuel injection system that causes them to stick open or closed. I was never notified by chevy about this problem and was not properly diagnosed by a mechanic until this year. The bulletin/warranty number is: 99066e and it states that all repairs relating to this problem would be covered no charge to the vehicle owner as long as it's within 10 years or 200,000 miles. So, I'm 3 years out of warranty and I have 217,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10400943, filed 2011-05, 200,000 miles

   “Factory installed pass lock security system. It malfunctioned, and it shuts down the fuel system. The car just quits where ever it is . I have spent lots of money and 2 weeks without my car as a result of the inability of repair people to diagnose the problem. To make matters worse after one week and finally finding out the problem, it is taking another week to get the parts in illinois. While this is not something that caused an injury in this case. It is my understanding that this could happen on the highway and cause a horrendous mess. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10016431, filed 2003-04, 95,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, head gasket and water pump failures

   • 11 complaints (5%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2012

   Complaints describe overheating that owners say came without a warning light, with dealers finding a failed head gasket, coolant leaking into the engine, a cracked cylinder head, or a leaking water pump. Some owners report the engine had to be replaced, and others say the intake gaskets also needed work. A bulletin addresses a boom-type noise during engine warm-up, and another covers high oil pressure after engine replacement. Reported from about 70,000 to 245,000 miles, with several cases around 70,000 to 92,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition before and after a test drive, look for residue at the water pump and head gasket seams, and ask whether the intake gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Check engine light on the automobile never went off, when I purchased automobile from used dealer,light was on,took it to meinke, paid 2,000.00 to get serviced light still stayed on. Was told not to worry, no problem with engine, 6 months after I bought auto , blew head, with no, no , no indication that the car was even running hot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062087, filed 2004-03, 70,365 miles

   “Transmission has to be rebuilt due to bad shifting. Also, engine rod bearing was making a kocking sound that forced replacement. Crack in cooling system had to replace seal.”

   NHTSA complaint #889009, filed 2001-05
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard 1-2 upshift and transmission slipping

   • 17 complaints (7%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2006

   Owners describe a harsh shift from first to second gear, sometimes present since purchase, with fluid changes not resolving it; some report the transmission later slipped and was rebuilt or replaced. Others mention the engine light coming on with the harsh shift. A service bulletin addresses a harsh 1-2 upshift with the check engine light on after a transmission or torque converter replacement. Mostly reported between about 54,000 and 150,000 miles, sometimes after long trips in hot weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a stop and feel for a firm or clunky 1-2 shift, check the transmission fluid color and smell, and ask about rebuild or replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Van shifts from 1st to 2nd realy hard. When I tried to get it repaired nothing was done except for a fluid change. The van still had the same problems. I only attemped two times because I cant aford to pay that much money and the problem to not get fixed. The air and heat only blowes out on the passenger side.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068732, filed 2004-01, 89,000 miles

   “Cannot get air throught vents in dash, all controls work properly vacuum actuator moves, there is vacuum at the swithc, no one knows the answer paint on gas door bubbling and looks like it is going to fall off transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear since we bought it ( 54000kms) finally started to slip , bought used trans and had it installed, quoted 3000.00 to rebuild, dealer was past even belief. Abs comes on when coming to a stop every time . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10071372, filed 2004-01, 150,000 miles

Buying note. On a 1998 Astro, test the wipers and low-speed braking closely, since those draw the most complaints, and check for fuel and coolant leaks before purchase. Service records for wiper motor, ABS sensor, and transmission work are worth asking for, and note that many reports involve high-mileage examples.

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.