1998 Chevrolet Astro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 11%of 241 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet Astro, 11% of the 241 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“This rear differential unit has been replaced 3 time as a whole unit and three times it was tried to be repaired and the problem still persists.it has started when the vehicle was new(12000) miles,and it is still ongoing.the dealer and the factory has been contacted and are unwilling to help.please let me know if im the only one with rear end problems on my Astro van,because thats what the dealer and factory tells me!! Thank you in advance for your help!!”
NHTSA complaint #722099, filed 2000-04“The Chevrolet Astro shifts gears violently. The problem was first noticed as I left an intersection and the van violently shifted gears throwing my family's and my head back with extreme force. Thinking that I had been rear-ended and knowing that other cars were in front and alongside my vehicle, I quickly stepped on the brake, almost causing a true rear-end collision. The vehicle was not in warranty so I took it in for inspection by my local mechanic, who had previously worked as a service tech for a chevy dealership. He was unable to find the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #750252, filed 2001-08“Between 50-65mph the rear end has a loud humming sound low sound - talked to another customer who frank parra has tried to solve their problem. Brown funeral home buys a number of astros. Problems with their 97 and 98 - same thing. Frank parra tried to cure by balancing drive shaft and putting a weight on the exhaust to no avail. Can you help. Really annoying.”
NHTSA complaint #701508, filed 1998-12Related service bulletins
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10114916Oct 21, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
Transmission 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 1998 Chevrolet Astro
46 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsTires
13 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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