1999 Chevrolet Astro Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the brakes and with power steering and power assist, frequently because the power steering pump and the brake assist share a hydraulic unit, so a failed pump can take away both steering assist and brake assist at the same time. Transmission complaints are also common, typically harsh 1-2 upshifts or slips. Many reports come in at moderate mileage, with some electrical faults appearing at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering pump failure taking brakes with it

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 63,500 mi at 7.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2007

   Owners describe the power steering suddenly going away, very often accompanied by a loss of power brake assist at the same moment, so the pedal goes to the floor or feels very hard. Several complaints say a shop found the power steering pump failed, in some cases with a broken or snapped internal shaft, and that the steering and brake assist are supplied by the same unit. Reported results range from loss of steering assist at low speed up to collisions with a building or another vehicle. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 75,000 miles, usually at low speed such as turning into a driveway or parking.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump and the hydro-boost unit have been replaced, and check for steering whine and for a pedal that sinks or feels inconsistent at idle while turning the wheel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Pulling into our driveway in the evening the power steering pump went out. As I tried to stop our van I noticed the brakes were also gone causing us to roll into the corner of our home (brick) at approximately 3 - 4 MPH which caused approximately $2500 worth of damage to the front end of the van. No one was injured. It cost $300 to get the power steering pump replaced and another $75 just to replace the radiator fan and shroud so the vehicle could be made drivable again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10149638, filed 2006-02, 73,290 miles

   “Intermittent failure of steering where steering binds turning right or left. Have to force steering to complete turns. Brakes also intermittantly will grab hard when coming to a fast, hard stop. Hydravac unit has been replaced. Dealer chacked power steering pump pressure per GM tech support. Plan now is to replace steering gear box. Don't see how this could affect brakes. Power steering pump has had a high pitched whine since it was new. Dealer and GM do not seem to be concerned with that.”

   NHTSA complaint #732768, filed 2000-09
2. 2
   Brakes

   Soft or sinking brake pedal and brake pull

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 200,000 mi at 15.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2014

   Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor with a longer stopping distance, the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, and rotors warping repeatedly. Some describe corroded brake lines found after a low fluid level and a puddle near a wheel. Complaints also mention the pedal moving or applying by itself during full-lock turns. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 60,000 miles up to about 200,000 miles on vehicles with corrosion.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look at the hard lines for rust, and ask whether a service bulletin for a pedal that self-applies at full turns has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have 2- chevy Astro vans. 1-1998, 1-1999. The 1999 has corroded brake lines and gas lines. The main brake lines are corroded into. I was coming back from a long trip yesterday and I noticed that the brakes were soft. When I got home upon inspection I checked the break fluid and it was low. I filled it. I noticed a puddle of fluid by the back tire. And looked, I discovered all of the brake and gas lines were eat up with corrosion. Gm needs to take this as a very serious problem and fix it immediately. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10609436, filed 2014-07, 200,000 miles

   “While driving 20-30 MPH and upon applying the brakes pedal went to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #863587, filed 2000-06
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, battery drain and no-start

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2014

   Owners describe repeated battery drain, overheating or smoking wiring, fuses that blow, and interior or headlights behaving on their own. Some reports describe the vehicle cutting out while driving with no steering or brake power, and a security system that locks the owner out of starting in wet weather. Complaints describe dealers tracing the fault to wiring or fuses, with recurring problems afterwards. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 100,000 miles, with several owners describing repeated shop visits.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about battery drain and prior wiring, alternator or fuse work, and test that all interior lights, gauges and warning lamps work after the engine is started.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle bought at the end of 2000, used. Every summer since I have had to have wiring replaced in the engine, front door locks stopped working after 5 months, front brakes have been replaced three times, I have had to have it towed 6 times do to the wiring and I have had to replace the alternator and battery due to all of the electrical and alternator problems. I also had to replace the starter. Hydraulics on rear door also broken. Display lights come on and off when they want to and I have continually replaced fuses. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10041599, filed 2003-10

   “Electrical wiring problems. Consumer was driving the vehicle when it completely died, and he had no steering or brake power. It almost caused a car accident. Dealer was contacted, and stated that this was an electrical problem ,that they had to change a fuse, but the problem still persists. Was not contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024244, filed 2003-06, 57,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh 1-2 upshift / transmission slipping

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 58,787 mi at 5.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners describe a hard, clunking shift from first to second gear that starts without warning and continues until the ignition is cycled, sometimes with a check engine light. Complaints mention a shop recommending transmission replacement or a full rebuild, and one owner reported a second transmission failing after about 44,000 miles of use. Some describe a delay and hard engagement when moving from reverse to drive. Commonly described from about 50,000 to 75,000 miles, sometimes after towing a light trailer.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop and feel for a hard or delayed 1-2 shift, and ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced and whether the harsh-shift bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have a 1999 chevy Astro van. We had a factory re-manufactured transmission which was supplied by guaranty Chevrolet on 8-30-02, installed. The van had 67,532 miles. We are original owners and never towed anything. We also paid to have a separate new cooling system installed for the transmission and also had the driveshaft rebuilt and balanced. Now, our 2nd transmission has failed at 44,547 more miles since installed in 2002. We have spent $5,700.00. Our transmission place wrote GM. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140249, filed 2005-10, 67,532 miles

   “Purchased used Astro van and noted on 2nd day when putting in reverse then to drive a loud clunk and hard jump forward unless you delay taking foot off brake or applying gas until you can feel the gear engage (approx. 5-10 seconds). This is dangerous when backing up, as I have almost been hit twice now. It needs to be fixed correctly or replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062221, filed 2004-03, 52,575 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Sliding side and rear door latching

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 53,675 mi at 4.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners describe the sliding side door and rear cargo doors not latching or releasing properly, including a side door that will not catch on an incline and rear doors that would not open at all. Some note the rear doors lack an inside release, and others describe cargo door hinges or latches that come loose and allow the door to swing fully open. Reported on vehicles under about 80,000 miles, often noticed while parked on a slope.

   What to check: Open and close both sliding doors and the rear doors several times, including parked on a slope, and confirm the latches hold and that any inside release works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The back doors of vehicle were stuck and would not open. The inside of vehicle did not have a handle that would open the doors from the inside. The dealer tried but was unable to get the doors open. The manufacturer has been notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #10040700, filed 2003-09, 79,000 miles

   “The l shape metal bracket that attaches the sliding door to the van, is an inch above the passenger's head. Manufacturer was notified about problem. The van was taken to the dealership. The dealership could not correct this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #848414, filed 1999-09

Buying note. On this model year, give the steering pump and brake assist unit and the transmission a close look on the test drive, since those two account for many of the owner complaints. Also check brake line condition and door latches, and ask for service records showing what has already been replaced.

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.