1998 Chevrolet Astro

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Chevrolet Astro
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
241
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Visibility

21% 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 1998: 241 complaints 1998 241 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 1996 1997: 360 complaints 1998: 241 complaints 1998 241 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 1998: 241 complaints 1998 241 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

1998: 241 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

21% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

FIRE

Service brakes

17% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Astro. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH he depressed the brake pedal but the brakes would not respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake line was replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-24

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

Diagnostic system was defective and didn't provide warning that the engine was overheating. The book states the service engine soon light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-20

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Astro VAN. The contact was driving 40 MPH when heat emitted inside the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that during the failure, there were no visible flames or smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-19

Power train

11% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing injectors and fuel injection system.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel injection and main computer were replaced because fuel leaked where gas ran through electrical harness into computer (Vcm).

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-04

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 241 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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.

  3. 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…

  4. R
    2003-04-24Visibility03V093000 Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.

    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…

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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

1998 Chevrolet Astro — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V009000 · Child seat
  • Recall 01V123000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V093000 · Visibility
  • 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 1998 Chevrolet Astro reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Astro is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Astro?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Astro have?
6 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.