Comments: 1-15, 16-26
(1) My drivers side window motor went bad, (2) the passenger side window button went bad. (3) The fuel gage reads full all the time, (3) hatch lifts went bad (4) windshield wipers stop when you are using them and then start again, (5) the fan speed control button stopped working, and (6) the inside door reflector's fell out. and this van is garage kept, only has 29000 miles on it and is a second car.
This van for the miles I have on it the new shape it is in and the way that I take care of my cars.
It is the biggest piece of crap with 29000 miles that I ever owned. I would never buy another GM product again.
I have had all of the above, plus happen with our van. I still owe quite a bit on it and now I am looking at a minimum of $4,000 in repairs! The engine just died, the radiator repeatedly has rust in it, the van was overheating no matter what repairs we did to it. I have not a a good overall experience considering I do not know much about car repair and I have two children to cart around. I would not recommend it for reliability to anyone. Needless to say, I am willing to hurt my credit just to get rid of it and not spend the money on something that definitely was not worth it! DON'T, BUY THIS VEHICLE!
Donna and family.
Your van must've been built late on a Friday afternoon. I currently have 3 97 Astro window vans, & each one of them have well over 200k miles on them, & they have been nothing but solid, reliable, & sturdy vehicles.
My wife and I purchased our '95 Astro with approximately
35,000 miles on it and it appeared to be excellent shape
except for the tires. After four years of ownership, we
have had to replace the fuel filter about 10-11 times. The
van now has about 75,000 miles on it, and this continues
to be an on-going problem. I am beginning to think that
this is reason the previous owner decided to get rid of it.
Also, we have the windshield wiper problem. This has been
recalled by Chevrolet on more than just the Astro. The
problem is a defective wiper motor that needs to be replaced
at YOUR cost, not Chevrolet. Since this is safety related
problem, I feel Chevrolet should pay for this repair.
We are also having fuel injection problems, again. The first
and second cylinders on the passenger side are flooding with
gas and causing gas to mix with the engine oil. This problem
is serious, due to the lack of proper lubrication from the
gas-laden oil. New fuel injectors are about $300.00 per
injector from the local parts store. Getting to them to
replace them is a lesson in how to become a contortionist.
Also, I think tire wear is problem. We replaced the tires
with top quality rated tires that are supposed to be a very
high mileage tire. At the rate the tires are wearing, I feel
we will be lucky to get 50,000 miles out of them, even though they are rated for considerably more miles.
I have been a die-hard Chevy fan for more than 30 years,
but I will NEVER consider buying another Astro!!
I have a '97 Chevrolet Astro that has been nothing, but problems. I have changed the idler arm 4 times, I have had the fuel pump changed, then 2 weeks later the transmission failed, then a week later, one of the oxygen sensors failed. I have had this van for 3 and a half years. 1 year after I purchased this van, I also had to change the planetary gear. Most of the problems happened in Oct, Nov, Dec, '03. Even after all this, we were at our cottage in Dec., just weeks after spending $3,700. Again, my van begins to miss it's power when you first take off. Sometimes, the problem is there and other times not. The garage I use for service has nicknamed my truck, THE TRUCK FROM HELL I don't think they like my going there anymore. This van is an every day worry, and I have spent too much money on it to get rid of it, but I have been looking into the problems and I believe that GM needs to step up to the plate and recognize the problems and safety concerns that come with the 1997 chevrolet astro van and start putting money back in to the pockets of the owners. Yours truly poor.
My 1997 Astro Van has been nothing, but a pain, I have had problems with alternator, power window motors, wiper blade motor, rough idling, rear axle, and now I have transmission problems. Is this what GM is providing it's customers? If so, this long time GM customer is switching to FORD.
I also have a 1997 Chevy astro. I love the power, but have all the simular problems, Wiper motor, drivers side door latch rattles, big side door you have to manually unlock it after opening due to the cable, Seats rattle, and now it is up on jack stands, I have the differential taken apart due to the drive ring is missing three gear teeth and also the pinion is damaged. Total cost $500.00 dollars to do yourself. I love the van though really great engine.
I have a 96 chev astro van.I bought it with 55.000 miles. on it. Love the van dearly, But, I replaced tires, idler arms 2 times, driver door power lift, servicelight comes on in between major problems. Then there is the belt tensioner gone out, then shocks, Then the light comes on again. then on a trip a torque rod breaks. Towed in ETC. Next trip,sealed wheel bearing goes out. Back on the road again. Then water pump goes out In for something major about every 2 weews Great vehicle. DRIVE A FORD.
Greetings all. I am the owner of two Astro vans. one '91 and one'97. I have had problems with the window motors, but then so has every other GM truck or van owner. The wiper problem is under a recall, and will be repaired at any GM dealership at NO COST to the owner. If they tell you the owner pays the cost, simply have them pull up the service bulletin for the vehicle. The problem with the Astro is the owner, not the vehicle. As most people believe they are buying a mini-van, they expect it to drive as such. Remember, the Astro is built on a truck platform and therefore acts like a truck. Our '97 has over 200,000 miles on it, and has run flawlessly. As a mechanic I can tell you these vehicles require the owner to maintain and service the vehicle according to the owners manual with diligence. For all those that would bash the van, buy a Caravan, or worse yet Ford's answer. Not only will you lose cargo space, but if you think you got troubles now, wait. I have owned both the Caravan and the Windstar. The caravan I bought new and drove for 3 weeks of the 6 months I owned it. The rest of the time I drove a dealer loaner. I will not even get into the Windstar saga. Dollar for dollar the Astro is still the best "mini" van on the market. As I said anyone who feels different can take their chances on the competitions products. Good luck.
I have had 2 Astro vans and both were fantastic. My last Astro ended with 244,000 miles on it. I had never planned to keep a vehicle past 100,000 miles (since I know nothing of mechanics and have to depend on my local chevy service center for all automotive work) but this Astro was SO reliable and required virtually no major repairs I decided to keep it for as long as I felt comfortable driving it. I took great care of this vehicle and did all the proper maintenence as suggested. I had AWD and never once did I have any problems on winter days. I drive 70 miles a day through country roads and highway to work and this vehicle NEVER let me down. I will be getting a new Astro later this year.
I am the owner of a 97 Astro Van, it currently has 75,000 miles on it and is very reliable. I would not hesitate to drive this car across the country. It has endured many long trips and provided plenty of room for all passengers. The only problems I have had is the driver side window motor, and the lock button on the passengers side. All minor problems considering how good this cars been to me.
I have a 97 Astro it was a rental it had 90,000k on it. I have owned it 4 years now it has 260,000k.Wife driven.I'm a mechanic so I do all my own work. After 2 years I herd a noise in the tran. I replaced the torque converter (300can).Well on a trip 2000k from home 2years ago exhaust converter plugged up ($816can) last week converter plugs again check engine light came on. No warranty did not want buy another so beat gut out of conveter, light went out, van works great. replaced fuel pump last month $500. Co-workers have Windstars and caravans and are newer than mine. They are having a lot more trouble then me. You have to expect to spend $1000 a year on a used vehicle. I would buy another Astro van.
I have an 89 astro van with a 4.3l v6. Has anyone had a problem with rough idle? It only occurs when the fuel injection is in closed loop and I have replaced all the sensors, plugs, wires, distrib. cap, rotor, timing chain, rebuilt heads.
To date I have not been able to find the problem. Anyone else have an idea?
By the way, I have had all the other problems too. But I do enjoy driving the little beasty.
We own a 1997 Astro 162k, owned since new. got a service engine warning light,1 mech says evap (fuel) problem, another says cpu is bad any suggestions? other than that great van.
What's up with the window motors on these vehicles? I have owned two Astros over the past 13 years, and no real problems other than the drivers side window motor. It fails about every 30,000 miles. I like the van however - very roomy for the price.
Did you ever find out how to repair the driver side window? Does it need a new motor? It's kind of a bummer!
Anyone having problems with the heat/cool system not switching from defrost to vents? If so, what did you do?