Model year record

1999 Chevrolet Astro recalls & problems

The 1999 Chevrolet Astro has 4 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (25 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints133filed by owners

Crashes · fires18 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 0reported in complaints

1999 Chevrolet Astro in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Seat beltsApr 10, 2001

Front › Warning light/devices

Recall 01V123000461,851 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE "FASTEN SAFETY-BELT" AUDIBLE WARNING OCCASIONALLY MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY TERMINATE IN LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ALARM MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 Chevrolet Astro 4x2

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Astro 2WD (cargo)

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Astro AWD (cargo)

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Astro 2WD (passenger)

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Astro AWD (passenger)

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	25	2	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft	25	1	0	1	65,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	21	0	2	0	68,500 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	15	4	0	2	63,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	15	2	0	3	74,800 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	13	0	0	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	12	11	0	15	125,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	11	0	0	0	96,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	9	0	0	0	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire; Tread/belt	9	1	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock	8	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front	7	1	0	1	57,750 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF DROPPING THE FRONT END TO THE GROUND. *TR
Nov 19, 2014 · 251,470 miles
Service brakes
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,…
Jul 8, 2014 · 200,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
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
Feb 27, 2014 · 230,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
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…
Dec 11, 2011 · 103,412 miles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
May 11, 2008 · 110,000 miles
Air bags › FrontalCrash2 injuries
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN APPROX. 50 MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. *TR
Aug 3, 2010 · 133,000 miles
Electrical system
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
Dec 25, 2009
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
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
Jul 28, 2007 · 97,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.