1988 Chevrolet Astro

▲ Better than typical

1988 Chevrolet Astro
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:39:21.764Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1988: 56 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1983	0
1984	1
1985	5
1986	23
1987	29
1988	56
1989	58
1990	70
1991	96
1992	132
1993	135
1994	338
1995	446
1996	263
1997	360
1998	241
1999	133
2000	175
2001	91
2002	70
2003	62
2004	14
2005	9

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 25%

25% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and pump.

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES IDLER ARM TORE OFF THE FRAME, CAUSING STEERING TO THE FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030729

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%

25% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing belts and associated pulleys and gasoline.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE.(OHIO POLICE REPORT).

NHTSA ODI report, 19981014

FISSURE IN THE RADIATOR

NHTSA ODI report, 20050531

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGWAY, TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKED, SPEWED ALL OVER ENGINE/BELT/EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950531

SEAT BELTS 13%

13% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and rear/other.

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19880912 — EA (closed 19891031)

REAR A/C UNIT

I 19890323 — PE (closed 19890919)

REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE

I 19891215 — PE (closed 19900416)

POWER STEERING FAILURE

I 19900205 — PE (closed 19900629)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

I 19900416 — EA (closed 19910430)

POWER STEERING FAILURE

R 19910913 — seat belts

THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT AND MID-SHIP SEATS DID NOT REST ON PELVIS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.

Remedy: RELOCATE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO ADJUST BELTS FOR SEAT LOCATIONS.

Campaign 91V102000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920624)

DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILURE

I 19920624 — EA (closed 19931119)

SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE

R 19940120 — seats

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

Campaign 93V187000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Chevrolet Astro — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for steering issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 91V102000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 93V187000 (seats) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Chevrolet Astro reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Chevrolet Astro is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Astro?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Chevrolet Astro have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.