My Big problem is the Transfer-case.
This is an all wheel Drive Van.
After 3,500 miles, the transfercase was causing a bucking, were it would ingage and disengage. I took it in for service and the fix was to replace the oil in the transfercase. It was OK for 15,000 miles, Same problem but much worse. Back to the dealer, same fix, replace the oil in the transfercase. The next problem, the output shaft on the transmission broke. It was towed in and this was repaired. At 35,500 miles the transfercase started to act up again.
I think I have a defected Transfercase from the start, but the dealer will not change it, just the oil. I would like to hear from anyone having problem with 1999 awd astro or safari van. Rvptv@aol.com.
First of all I want to thank you for posting this information because I have a 2000 Safari with similar transmission, differential and transfer case problems. GMC is trying the same scam on me, that is replacing the oil!!! I do not believe for one minute that this is a fix, I've suspected from the beginning that this is a quick fix to get me out of their hair until the van is out of warranty. They've replaced the oil twice already. I've asked them to provide information if the reliability of the components were reduced but I got to see a sweet dance.
People, Stay away from this vehicle!
I'm experiencing a shutter in the front-end at low speed turns like pulling into my parking space. I believe this to be one of two issues; the bushings are worn-out on the upper and/or lower control arms and/or it could be the transfer case as mentioned in the previous two comments.
I just took my '99 Safari SLE to the dealer today before the 90 day used car warranty is up (I just bought it used) and he said it's a maintenance issue that involves changing the fluids and is of course not covered under the warranty!
I'm not going to give up here! I'll get a second and third opinion, work the salesman, work the Service Dept, I will do whatever it takes to see this resolved.
Hiltoncp@yahoo.com.
Hi, I have a 1995 Safari AWD and have a terrible bucking problem right now. The front end feels like it will fall off and slowing down doesn't correct it until I stop. Then it's fine again for a while. Thanks for the advise of changing the transfer case oil. Although this is not a repair, I feel that I will be able to drive the vehicle at least. Sounds like the oil spec may not be correct or that a bit of dirt in the oil will create a big problem. I've had mine for 7 years and this is the 1st problem, so that's not bad overall.
I own a 1999 astro van with 58000 miles on it. The transfer case started to act up 20000 miles ago, chevy dealer changed the fluid-a band aid solution. Now it is acting up again, this time it has a lot of lash in the transfer case which creates a clunking noise when stopping and going. It also has vibration in it under load such as passing gear. The service manager tells me that the vibration noise is a normal characteristic of these vans, I know different as this is my fourth van and the others did not do the above. Seems GM changed from a Borg-Warner transfer case to a New Process Gear transfer case in 1999. I think this is the cause of the above problems. Chevy will not face it. I would like to hear from anyone with similar problems. We need to adress this. Itcould be a safety issue.
I have a 2000 GMC and experience the "stutter" during parking maneuvers and low speed turns at up to 13 mph. I also experience a series of "stumbles" under moderate acceleration. This feels much like going over three small evenly spaced cracks in the road - but only with the rear wheels. I too have been told that this is all "normal operation" at 35,500, just prior to the witching hour on the warranty. Both idler arms were found out of spec at this time and were replaced, with no improvement in stutter during slow maneuvers.
Upstate NY - I have a 97 GMC Safari AWD with 38K on it. The idler arms went at 5000 miles. and the transfer case fluid was changed (USE SYNTHETIC FLUID) at about 15K for that low speed turning shudder problem. I was told GM issued a notice to change the transfer case fluid to synthetic to solve that shudder problem. The transmission was fully serviced at the same time. The transmission (4L60E) just went the other day at 38K (reverse band broke and possible valving problem) and of course they don’t want to cover the cost $3000. I told them of transmission noises and vibrations in the past, but they heard nothing on road tests. One of the warranty folks at GM told me, "Next time you should get an extended warranty." What brilliance …the saga continues…
I have a 1999 Chevy Astro AWD. When under warranty, "many" small-to-medium sized repairs where made to the vehicle, but we still generally like it, with it's ability to carry my family of six and its great traction in the NH snow. Anyway, at about 40,000 miles, we began hearing an occasional noise that sounded like we rode over a rumble strip. Brought it to Chevy dealer and they replaced the transmission with a Serta (rebuilt from GM) for $2,500. Then, the same problem (noise) starts a month later and they replace a part in the new transmission. We just got it back, and it sounds like the noise is already starting up again! In addition, I just checked the idler arms, and both are completely gone; my job tonight is to replace them. Also, I should mention that shortly after I bought the vehicle (brand new) I noticed the front fender had been replaced, and was told by GM that they most likely replaced it at the factory due to a small accident; they could have done a better job.
I have a 1996 Chevy Astro purchased new. I have had all of the previously mentioned problems as well (and some others). I've gone through several sets of idler arms, a rebuilt transmission, and now a transfer case. With mine, the transfer case went suddenly and no rubble-strip or shudder type of warning. Just a nice loud bang followed by grinding noises. I am debating now on whether to have this repaired or just give up on this vehicle. I like it's size and towing capacity, but am very tired of all the problems. As to the other party who had GM tell them to buy and extended warranty... not necessarily good advise. I had one to 60K miles and the trans went at 61K. GM refused to accept any of the cost.
Feb 6 2003
7:12PM
I had a '91 Safari SLT-AWD as a work vehicle and the only problem I had with it before it was replaced in 2000 was a broken power lock on one side. It was so good that I bought it from the dealer for my wife when I picked up my new 2000 SLT-AWD. With that experience I didn't even take a test drive when picking out the 2000. I wish I had seen this page before I made that decision.
At about 20,000 km, I had just arrived on the 4th floor of the airport-parking arcade when there was a loud thunk from somewhere and the power brakes and steering were gone. I struggled into a spot and wondered how I was going to deal with this after my return flight. The exit is a spiral ramp so I didn't think a tow truck could pull me out of there. What a struggle getting that thing down. GM towed and fixed it under warranty. The power steering and brakes are both pressured from a single unit and the pump shaft is common to both and it snapped. Good thing it didn't happen on the freeway at rush hour.
Then I started having the problems that have been described by the others before me at about 40,000km. I think what happens is when the vehicle turns a corner, the inside wheel should travel slower than the outside wheel. As the fluid in the transfer case breaks down, it forces the inside wheel to travel faster and that tire actually spins if you are on loose gravel or snow. Even on dry pavement, it gives the sensation that the back end is slipping, as if the road was icy.
After driving like this for about 10,000km more, I started to get the same noise problem like the others have described. The dealer replaced the transfer case fluid after much prompting, but it is starting again after about 12,000km.
I have a work colleague with the same model 2002 and he has had even worse experience. AWD broke. Dealer said there was nothing wrong, that the AWD wasn't supposed to kick in until the vehicle was going about 20kph. He finally pestered them so much that they replaced the transfer case fluid again and replaced a part and now it works like normal. Our company has enough GM vehicles that we get a fleet discount when we buy. After these experiences, I don't think we'll be dealing with GM any more.
I have a 1999 Sonoma high rider. I have had the transfer case rebuilt at 64,000 km. and the transmission built at 70,000 km. and now Iam having trouble with the transfer case again. Is this a common problem with these GM's.The dealer would not do anything for me.
Check into this.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=35&scid=46.
I own a 1997 GMC Safari AWD with about 67,000 miles on it. While I never got the "bucking," the front shaft on the transfer case went out at about 50,000 miles. The transmission had a hard shift, and it is now out at 67,000 miles. It is my understanding that there is a cheap aluminum valve in the transmission which sticks, causing the hard shift and eventual failure. I can see no reason why the front shaft of a transfer case would fail unless there is some defect. GMC should be forced to do a recall for these problems.
I also had a problem with my 2000 Astro AWD bucking and they changed the transfer case oil, seems to have cleared up. There was a service bulletin that say change the oil and blame the owner. I have it. Now my power locks are broken. Anyone had that problem?
1999 GMC Safari SLE (78,000 miles) I was told that my output shaft on the transmission broke... problem was a load clunk when transmission switched from first to second gear. This would usually occur after I had driven 30 miles or more. If I stopped for a short time and turned the engine off, then the problem seemed to go away. I had auto transmission repaired, torque converter rebuilt, V/B PLATET/A.BUSHINGKIT.WASHER, KIT.MPS.HARNESS.SHIFTKIT.FRONT AND BAND. VALVE BODY RECONDITIONING... add $700.00 labor and you have a $2000.00 transmission repair. I see no reason for this extensive a repair... is this a GM defect?
Well I am glad to see that I am not the only person that GM has ran around in circles. They tried the "change the fluid" trick with me too and then took a different approach when I filed a complaint with GM customer service. The new trick was to mark all four tires at the bottom. They then drive the vehicle in a straight line and check to see if all four tires are still aligned. Needless to say, the parking lot is not a level surface so one side will rotate more than the other as the dips and swells in the road surface require the tires to rotate over them. They said I needed new tires... I bought them and still had the problem (i sent them the bill... no refund yet). The good news... I have put over 80,000 miles on the vehicle since the problem started. The vehicle now has 115,000 miles and I am now having severe problems. As much as I hate Ford, I am not sure how I could bring myself to buy another GM vehicle after this.