MYRModel Year Report

1997 Chevrolet Astro

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Chevrolet Astro
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
360
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

19% 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 1991: 96 complaints 1992: 132 complaints 1993: 135 complaints 1993 1994: 338 complaints 1995: 446 complaints 1996: 263 complaints 1997: 360 complaints 1997 360 1998: 241 complaints 1999: 133 complaints 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 1991: 96 complaints 1992: 132 complaints 1992 1993: 135 complaints 1994: 338 complaints 1994 1995: 446 complaints 1996: 263 complaints 1997: 360 complaints 1997 360 1998: 241 complaints 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 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 360 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

1997: 360 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.

Visibility

19% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

FIREINJURY

Service brakes

19% · 69 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Just before stopping at an intersection the brake pedal lifted slightly. There was a moaning sound from under the hood on the driver's side and the van drifted into the crosswalk ( Lost braking ). I threw it into reverse to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-08

Power train

16% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

Steering

12% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and pump.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

*Ohio traffic crash report* consumer smelled smoke and immediately pulled to the side. The engine had caught on fire which resulted in damage to the windshield and engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-13

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 360 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-04-28Seat belts97V057000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1999-01-21Child seat99V009000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belts on the child seats, and if necessary, replace the child seat.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2001-06-27Seat belts01V123000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  6. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. 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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Chevrolet Astro — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 69 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 56 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V057000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 99V009000 · Child seat
  • Recall 01V123000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 visibility, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Astro have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.