1997 Chevrolet Astro

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1997 Chevrolet Astro
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

1997: 360 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1983	0
1984	1
1985	5
1986	23
1987	29
1988	56
1989	57
1990	68
1991	95
1992	132
1993	135
1994	328
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

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

VISIBILITY 5%

5% of complaints: visibility — 19 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 360

R 19970428 — seat belts

THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE RIGHT-HAND REAR BUCKET SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME.

Campaign 97V057000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990121 — child seat

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 CLU

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

Campaign 99V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010627 — seat belts

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

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 R

Campaign 01V123000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030619 — visibility

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND D

Campaign 03V159000 — 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

1997 Chevrolet Astro — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (37 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (33 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V057000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 99V009000 (child seat) has been completed.
Verify recall 01V123000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) 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

▲ 1988 ▲ 1989 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1994 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Astro reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Astro is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Astro have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.