1990 Chevrolet Astro

▲ Better than typical
1990 Chevrolet Astro
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:03:15.026Z

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.

Complaints
70
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1990: 70 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19830
19841
19855
198623
198729
198856
198958
199070
199196
1992132
1993135
1994338
1995446
1996263
1997360
1998241
1999133
2000175
200191
200270
200362
200414
20059

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

50% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Steering

13% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing idler and attachment and column.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Idler arm seized, causing vehicle to pull to the right/misalignment/sidewall disintegration.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-13

Seats

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing recliner and power adjust.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The driver's seat underside frame track runners that attach to the automatic seat adjustment motorized system has failed to maintain its proper function.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-19

Electrical system

10% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE

Power train

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-08-27Fuel system, gasoline90V146000 Fuel return hoses may break at either crimped coupling, causing a leakage of fuel.

    Remedy: Install a properly crimped fuel return hose.

  2. I
    1991-01-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-31 Sliding door hinge failure
  3. I
    1991-02-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-06-10 Brake failure
  4. I
    1991-06-10Engineering analysisClosed 1992-06-30 Brake failure
  5. R
    1991-09-13Seat belts91V102000 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.

  6. R
    1992-06-04Seat belts91V164000 Seat belt anchorage bar for rear sofa failed to sustain loads required by FMVSS 210.

    Remedy: Replace noncomplying sofa bar with bar that meets requirements.

  7. I
    1992-06-09Defect petitionClosed 1992-06-25 Apv fires
  8. I
    1992-06-24Engineering analysisClosed 1993-11-19 Seat back bolt breakage
  9. R
    1994-01-20Seats93V187000 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…

    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.

  10. I
    1997-06-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-11-26 Instrument panel/dash electrical fire
  11. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

  12. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

  13. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Chevrolet Astro — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V146000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 91V102000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 91V164000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 93V187000 · Seats
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Astro reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Chevrolet Astro is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Chevrolet Astro?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Chevrolet Astro have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.