The Chevy Astro Van was first produced in 1985, and its factory ceased to function in 2005. During 20 years on the market, this mid-range car was owned by many people. However, many customers have also complained about Chevy Astro Van’s problems. So what problems have they encountered that annoys the driver? Let’s find out together.
Common Chevy Astro Van problems
Gearboxes problem
Chevy Astro gearboxes often have problems with the valve bodies or automatic transmission. Specifically, when moving the car on the road, your gearbox automatically switches from 1 to 2. This change has made many people quite uneasy and worried. In addition, some problems do not happen very often, but you may still experience such as broken liquid pressure switches, damaged reactive solar cases.
Models of influence
These transmission problems are not likely to occur in all vehicles. For example, Astros 1998 and 1999 often have gear shift problems due to malfunction of the actuator body, TFP switch, or reactor housing. The lines of 1995, 1996, and 1997 often fault the valve body. In 2000 to 2003 versions, there was a problem with the transmission again. Although not many, most of each generation has a small error related to the transmission line.
The cost of repairing the transmission
Drive failures are frequent, and repair costs associated with this are also quite high. It can cost you $ 596 to replace the valve body, $ 115 for the new TFP switch, or up to $ 921 for a reaction cover replacement. For the engine box, the money you’ll need is $ 549. All of this money you have to pay and without the support of the warranty. And these numbers are still increasing. Therefore, the costs for these items are quite high.
Oil flow phenomenon in the steering wheel
This is a fairly common phenomenon in hydraulic power steering. The steering wheel seal’s lifespan is low, so after a period of use, it causes oil flow. Another case is the damaged driver’s dust cover, which causes water and dust to enter and damage the steering wheel seals. And in 2003, more than 40,000 Astro trucks encountered this problem. This is not a big deal, but it has reduced the credibility and trust of consumers in the brand.
Headlight fault
Because the switch is faulty, the indicator light does not work properly. This problem has affected drivers. They may not tell whether the vehicle is stopped because of the driver’s activity or having a problem. Of course, you can fix this by replacing the switch to avoid the risk of a 2003 Chevy Astro ceasing to function.
The siren next to the driver’s seat makes a loud noise
The whistle is placed next to the driver’s seat to give the best sound signal during travel. However, in reality, the sound produced by this whistle is too loud and cannot be adjusted. This is not a big deal to worry about, but many people who like quiet make it very troublesome.
Kid’s chair
Aston 1998 models are equipped with integrated child seats. However, they probably lacked the seat belt retrieval spring, so the device could not be locked. This deficiency can cause injury to children while riding, especially on dangerous roads. Therefore, you need to replace the child seat at the dealer or choose a small seat with the same function instead.
Balance shaft
Some of the brand’s older trucks severely vibrate when the brakes are stopped. This happens because the balance shaft in the motor is incorrectly installed. It is also quite dangerous because it causes the vehicle to operate arbitrarily and uncontrollably.
Suspensions
Some older 4-wheelers, when traveling long distances, experience a sideways tilt every time they break quickly. Often the cause was usually a faulty brake system which caused this event. However, the answer is not quite the same. The exact reason is that the van’s suspension system has problems such as a broken ball joint, worn handlebars, or other defective parts.
Controller’s arm
The control arm is integrated into the frame thanks to the connection of the rear nut. But this part is not tightened according to specified specifications. As a result, the screw is loose and easily snaps off. This risk is very dangerous for the car and the driver, so you should make sure the nut is attached correctly before driving.
CV joints
The CV joints are worn out, resulting in vehicle vibrations if traveling at high speeds of 70 mph. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, you should change the tune-up within 60 miles.
Conclusion
There have been quite a few incidents regarding the Chevy Astro Van, some of which could improve, some not. Most of these errors come from car manufacturing negligence. However, the Chevy Astro Van remains one of the most durable and modern versions of the car in the early 2000s.