VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Astro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 336 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Astro year — the 1998 model ranks #5 of 24 Astro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 39 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (51), brakes (44), and electrical system (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

336

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

39

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Astro years?

Astro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted579 complaints1976: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 24 complaints1987: 31 complaints1988: 69 complaints1989: 70 complaints1990: 93 complaints1991: 121 complaints1992: 162 complaints1993: 177 complaints1994: 396 complaints1995: 579 complaints1996: 345 complaints1997: 563 complaints1998: 336 complaints1999: 204 complaints2000: 258 complaints2001: 115 complaints2002: 97 complaints2003: 82 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 11 complaints
Astro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Astro years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Astro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers5115%
Brakes4413%
Electrical System3210%
Engine299%
Fuel System299%
Transmission278%
Suspension237%
Speed Control185%
Steering165%
Tires & Wheels154%
Seat Belts124%
Airbags103%
Other82%
Body & Structure82%
Latches & Locks51%
Seats31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Child Seat21%
Lighting10%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Astro have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

03V093000Visibility & WipersMarch 7, 2003 · 507,171 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. 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.

01V123000Seat BeltsApril 10, 2001 · 461,851 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

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.

99V009000Child SeatJanuary 20, 1999 · 2,090 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED DUAL CHILD SEATS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE MISSING A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CLUTCH SPRING AND/OR PAWL SPRING IN THE CHILD SEAT. IF THE CLUTCH SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. IF THE PAWL SPRING WAS MISSING, THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT WOULD CONTINUALLY PLAY OUT AND WOULD NOT LOCK.

Consequence

THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE OCCUPANT'S RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE CHILD SEATS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHILD SEAT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR THE OUTSIDE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. THE FAILURE CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE THAT IGNITED A FIRE IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE ENTIRE VAN WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE DRIVEWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 22, 2007 · fire

“DESIGN AND POSITION OF BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH IN LENGTH IS HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSED THE OCCUPANT'S FOOT TO GET STUCK UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND DEPRESS IT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO REVERSE AT HIGH SPEED, AND CRASHING INTO A WALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 14, 1999 · crash

“THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY WAS PLACED AGAINST THE HEATSINK ON THE REAR OF THE RADIO ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE INSULATION TO BURN TO CAUSE A TOTAL LOSS OF THIS VEHICLE. CONTACT JOHN A. REUTTER AT SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS [PHONE] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PICTURES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 9, 2000 · fire

“"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE AUTOMOBILE NEVER WENT OFF, WHEN I PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE FROM USED DEALER,LIGHT WAS ON,TOOK IT TO MEINKE, PAID 2,000.00 TO GET SERVICED LIGHT STILL STAYED ON. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY, NO PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT AUTO , BLEW HEAD, WITH NO, NO , NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 6, 2004

“FUEL INJECTION AND MAIN COMPUTER WERE REPLACED BECAUSE FUEL LEAKED WHERE GAS RAN THROUGH ELECTRICAL HARNESS INTO COMPUTER (VCM).*AK *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · crash

1998 Chevrolet Astro — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Astro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 336 complaints put the 1998 model at #5 of 24 Astro years. It is one of the Astro years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Astro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (51 complaints), brakes (44 complaints), electrical system (32 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Astro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Astro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Astro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Astro years to avoid are 1995, 1997, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 1999, 1993, 1992. The cleanest record among Astro years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.