1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO Recalls, Complaints & Safety

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DROPPING THE FRONT END TO THE GROUND. *TR

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. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED , OR I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD. I INSPECTED THE 1998 ASTRO VAN TO SEE IF IT HAD A PROBLEM TO. AND UPON DOING SO DISCOVERED IT IS FINE, NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE PICS OF BOTH VANS THE PICS WILL SHOW THAT MY STATEMENT IS TRUE. I BOUGHT THE 1999 VAN (THE ONE WITH CORRODED LINES) IN THE STATE OF OHIO. AND I BOUGHT THE 1998 VAN IN ALABAMA.I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS, BUT I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FAULTY GM PRODUCT WITH CORROSIVE BRAKE AND GAS LINES. I AM VERY THANKFUL I DISCOVERED THIS BEFORE TRAGEDY HAPPENED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM, AND GM NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE, NOT AFTER. ANY HELP WITH GETTING THIS RESOLVED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I JUST WANT TO LET UNSUSPECTING GM OWNERS KNOW ABOUT THIS DANGER! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT STATING THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ON ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *TR

Fire

HAD CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED PRIOR TO ENTERING A REDUCED SPEED AREA AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. AFTER DEPARTING THE REDUCED SPEED AREA, I ENGAGED THE RESUME FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED PAST THE SET SPEED AND KEPT SPEEDING UP. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKES ALTHOUGH THEY GOT VERY HOT AND SMOKED SEVERELY. ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AS WELL AS TURNING OFF AND REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY STOPPING THE VEHICLE, I CONTINUED ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT ANY ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE RACING OF THE ENGINE. I EXAMINED THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 6 WAS LABELED "CRUISE MODULE, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, ELECTROMECHANICAL MIRROR". THE FUSE WAS REMOVED BUT THE ENGINE RACED UPON ATTEMPTING TO START IT. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT FUSE NUMBER 18 WAS LABELED "VCM-IGN 3, VCM-BRAKE, 4WAL, CRUISE STEPPER MOTOR SIGNAL". UPON REMOVING THIS FUSE, I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE, AND IT REMAINED IN NORMAL PARAMETERS. I DID NOTICE THAT THE ANTILOCK LIGHT WAS ON, BUT BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE VCM-BRAKE LABEL ON THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. I WAS THEN ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME, AND WILL BE CONTACTING THE REPAIR SHOP TO DISABLE/REMOVE THE CRUISE STEPPER MOTOR, AS I REFUSE TO CHANCE ANOTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK MODULE THAT TURNED OFF THE GAS TO THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP BRIEFLY BUT THEN SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN APPROX. 50 MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. *TR

Crash 2 injured

WILL NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS DAMP. WILL TAKE 3 OR 4 DAYS TO DRY OUT BEFORE STARTING AGAIN. NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. TOWED TO SHOP VAN SITS INSIDE THE BAY DRIES OUT AND STARTS WITHIN 2-3 HOURS. HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT GETS DAMP. 10 YEARS BEEN DOING THE SAMETHING. *TR

ANTI THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. LOCKS OWNER OUT FROM STARTING VEHICLE IN WET WEATHER. BAD PLACEMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM PLACED UNDER BATTERY. CORROSION OF SECURITY SYSTEMS COMMUNICATIONS WIRING CAUSED LOCK OUT AND CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE CONNECTED TO THE SAME UNIT, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE CALLED GM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE WORKED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE CONNECTED TO THE SAME UNIT, CAUSING BOTH TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE CALLED GM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE WORKED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH SNOW AND ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM AND HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WOUND TOOK 24 STITCHES TO CLOSE. MOST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $4,500. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT 25 MPH. THE ARKANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 07-00343. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,661 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Crash 1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THROUGH SNOW AND ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM AND HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WOUND TOOK 24 STITCHES TO CLOSE. MOST OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $4,500. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT 25 MPH. THE ARKANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 07-00343. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,661 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Crash 1 injured

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING & POWER ASSIST BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED, CAUSING LACK OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP SNAPPED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE PUMP HIMSELF AND DISCOVERED THE SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN THE PUMP. WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, IT CAUSED THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL AS WELL. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

Crash

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. AFTER CONTACTING SEVERAL SERVICE AGENCIES I FIND THAT THE BRAKE BOOST SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HENCE, IF YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING, YOU LOSE YOUR BRAKES! I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE #1-383499552) AND THEIR ANSWER WAS, "YOU SHOULD STILL HAVE SOME BRAKES IF YOU PUSH HARD ENOUGH." I'M 5'10" TALL AND WEIGH 200 LBS. I HAD BOTH FEET PUSHING ON THE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR IF THEY WERE COMING OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR TRYING TO STOP THEIR VEHICLE. GM NEEDS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING. NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT IT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE GM TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO OUR VEHICLE CAUSED BY US NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. *NM

Crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING A LITER AND A HALF OF OIL PER WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE SYSTEM WHICH WAS DUE TO THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ,AND THEY EXPLAINED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART. *AK

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. MARK DOWLER OF CHEVY CALLED ME AND SAID SORRY, WE WON'T HELP YOU. WE ARE GOING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF NEED BE. THANK YOU. *JB

DT: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED HAPPENING ON 3-21-05. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD TO FIX TWO OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. *AK *MR

COMMENTS: WHY DID EVERYONE MISS THE 1999 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH AWD? I ALREADY HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (AT MY COST) EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!!! PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT LOCAL FIRESTONE GARAGE PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE, AND HAS THE RECORDS OF THE SERVICE. NEAR-MISS TOO MANY TIMES AT LOW SPEED STOPPING PROBLEMS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE CHEVY & GMC MINI-VANS!!! *JB

DT: ON FRIDAY THE BATTERY WENT DEAD AND THE OWNER COULDN'T OPEN THE BACK DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THE OWNER COULD NOT OPEN THE BACK DOORS TO GET TO HIS TOOLS. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED NO ONE COULD GET OUT OF THE BACK DOORS. THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. THE OWNER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE OWNER WAS NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE BATTERY GOING DEAD, JUST ABOUT THE BACK DOOR NOT OPENING.*AK

DT: THE VEHICLES FUEL LINE FELL APART. THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE HOUSE SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE LINES CAME APART WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL LINE BUSTED AND GASOLINE SPEWED. THE MECHANIC INSTRUCTED THE OWNER THAT THE FUEL LINE CAN BE SNAPPED BACK TOGETHER. SO THE OWNER SNAPPED IT BACK TOGETHER. OWNER HAS SPOKEN WITH A DEALERSHIP THAT INSTRUCTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.*AK *JB

DT: CALLER SAYS THE ACCELERATOR STICKS ON VEHICLE. WHEN GETTING IN AND HITTING ACCELERATOR IT WILL NOT MOVE. WHEN PUSH ING HADER IT WILL GO FASTER THAN EXPECTED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *NM THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPOXIMATELY 10 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WHICLE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES OR ANY POWER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

1999 ASTRO BLOWS FUSES IN CIG. LIGHTER SOCKET. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AND WINDOWS WILL NOT OPERATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES INA SINGLE DAY. *AK

THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO LATCH. ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

Crash

ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

Crash

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A PERSON ON A BICYCLE ON THE ROAD. SWERVED IN ORDER NOT TO HIT THE PERSON, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURB, AND COLLIDED WITH A FIRE HYDRANT, AND STRIKING A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE CAME DOWN TO MEET WITH THE DEALER AND CONSUMER. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED,AND THE RATE OF DECELERATION AND IMPACT WAS PRESENT. *AK

Crash 1 injured

CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN STOPPING IT WOULD VIBRATE. AFTER THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THERE WERE NO PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SHAFT CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

ONGOING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM, DRAINING THE BATTERY POWER, AND CAUSING THE BATTERY TO OVERHEAT. BATTERY BECAME SO HOT THAT ITT HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT AN EXPLOSION. DEALER CONTACTED FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK

Crash 3 injured

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK

Crash 3 injured

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Crash 1 injured

1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO WITH 65000 MILES. TOWED A LIGHT TRAILER (1500 LBS) FROM COLORADO TO KANSAS, ABOUT 500 MILES. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND; ONCE IT STARTED, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ODBII CODE P1870 SET. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER MONITORS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANS AND IF IT THINKS IT'S SLIPPING TOO MUCH IT APPLIES FULL LINE PRESSURE TO THE SHIFT. HARD ON ENTIRE DRIVELINE AND DEVASTATING TO THE TRANS - WE'RE HAVING TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REBUILT ALTHOUGH IF WE WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE VALVE BODY WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OKAY.*AK

HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE REAR HEAT BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY. THE HEATER IS STUCK ON HEAT/DEFROST. THIS WAS A PROBLEM EARLIER WITH THE VAN BUT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS NOW ACTED UP AGAIN. IT STARTED AGAIN AT APPROX. THE 70,000 KM RANGE. I COULD NOT CHECK THE AIR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT WAS WINTER. ARE THERE ANY FIXES IN PLACE THE GM IS TAKING CARE OF. NOTE: MY ADDRESS IS NOT ALABAMA BUT THE PROVINCE IS SASKATCHEWAN. ALSO THE DOOR HANDLES ARE POOR. REAR ONE WENT AND NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

- THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS LOCKED MORE THAN ONCE. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALER SINCE I COULD NOT LEAVE SINCE I COULD NOT LOCK THE SIDE DOORS; A MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WHILE I ACTUALLY LOCK THE DOORS (VERY CONFUSING TO ME). HE SUGGESTED THAT I USE A SCREWDRIVER TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE LOCKED MECHANISM ON BOTH DOORS. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DO IT, BUT THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE; IN ONE INCIDENT, THE DOOR OPENED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN (FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS ON MY LEFT). I WONDER IF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL IS NOT SAFE. I NEVER TOOK THIS IN FOR CHECKING, BUT I MIGHT. - THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OFTEN LOCKS AND I AM UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW -- THIS HAS RESULTED IN SNOW, HAIL, STRONG WINDS FORCING ME TO STOP AND KEEP PRESSING THE BUTTON IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE WINDOW AND TO CONTINUE MY TRAVELLING. ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS? I NEVER TOOK THE CAR IN, BUT I WILL INQUIRE TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT -- HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. - THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER IN ACCELLERATION, WHICH OFTEN MADE IT DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELLING, AND MERGING LANES. THE DEALER JUST WORKED ON THE VAN LAST MAY, 2003, AS NOTED ABOVE. FORTUNATELY, THIS WILL BE A GOOD CORRECTION AND I AM JUST SORRY THAT WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS.

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.*AK

MALFUNCTIONED REAR HATCHBACK DOOR FOR A 1999 CHEVY ASTRO. NO MANUAL OVERIDE/RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE LIKE A TRUNK RELEASE LEVER ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A CONCERN AS WELL AS A HAZARD IF THE ONLY OPTION TO EXIT WAS THRU THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR. IT WAS ALSO OF GREAT INCOVENIENCE TO GET A DISABLED PERSONS EQUIPMENT OUT WITH THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR INOPERABLE.

LEFT SIDE OF REAR HATCH WILL NOT UNLATCH/OPEN

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN IGNITION PROBLEM. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE PARKING. CONSUMER CALLED DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK

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. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THESE WERE JUST FLUKES, BUT THEY ARE CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE. I DID TALK TO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS SON ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VAN AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HIS MOTHER RETURNED IT BECAUSE THINGS KEPT FALLING APART ON IT. I WISH I HAD BEEN INFORMED BEFORE HAND HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT WAS GOING TO BE. I LOVE CHEVORLET VEHICLES AND I STILL LIKE MY VAN IT'S JUST COSTING ME TOO MUCH IN REPAIRS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS NOW STALLING AND THE GAS GAUGE HASN'T WORKED IN YEAR. I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH MY MILEAGE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T RUN OUT GAS. I AM GIVING THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT WHEN IT WAS TOWED. *LA

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. *NLM