1985 Chevrolet Astro problems

General information about Chevrolet-Astro
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Astro is a van that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of American auto manufacturer General Motors from 1985 to 2005. Sold alongside the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in multiple configurations, including passenger minivan and cargo van.

The Astro and Safari used a rear-wheel drive chassis; all-wheel drive became an option in 1990. For its entire production, the Astro and Safari were produced by Baltimore Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland; the vans would be the final model line produced by the facility. In total, approximately 3.2 million Astros and Safaris were produced from 1985 through 2005.

Background

The Astro and Safari were introduced for the 1985 model year as the first minivan from General Motors. While marketed as a response to the first-generation Chrysler minivans, GM selected a rear-wheel drive layout, sizing the Astro and Safari closely to the short-wheelbase Chevrolet G10 van. Similar to the Ford Aerostar, to reduce production costs, GM adapted light-truck powertrain components; engines and transmissions were sourced from the Chevrolet S-10, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 5,500 lb (2,500 kg).

Prior to its use on a minivan, the Astro nameplate was used twice by General Motors; in 1967 (for the Chevrolet Astro 1 concept car) and from 1969 until 1987 (on the GMC Astro COE semitractor). GMC sourced the Safari nameplate from Pontiac (used by the latter to denote station wagons). As GMC was half of the Pontiac/GMC Division (later including Buick), from 1985 through 1989, both GMC and Pontiac Safaris were simultaneously offered through the same dealership network.

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Common 1985 Chevrolet Astro problems

The Chevrolet Astro, introduced in 1985, has been a reliable vehicle for many owners, but like any other car, it has its common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the 1985 Chevrolet Astro, based on owner complaints and data from recall lists.

Fuel System Problems: The 1985 Chevrolet Astro has experienced 27 fuel system issues, including fuel leaks and fuel pump failures. These problems can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, difficulty starting the vehicle, or even stalling while driving.

Seat Problems: Seat issues are another common problem in the 1985 Chevrolet Astro, with 27 reported cases. These problems can range from seat adjustment mechanisms failing to seat belts not functioning properly.

Visibility Issues: Visibility problems, such as windshield wiper malfunctions, have been reported 3 times for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. These issues can affect the driver's ability to see the road clearly, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Brake Problems: Brake issues, including brake line corrosion, have been reported 3 times for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. These problems can affect the vehicle's stopping ability, potentially leading to safety issues.

Suspension Problems: Suspension problems, such as worn-out bushings or broken springs, have been reported 2 times for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. These issues can affect the vehicle's ride quality and handling.

Steering Problems: Steering issues, including power steering pump failures, have been reported once for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. These problems can affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle.

Exterior and Equipment Problems: Exterior and equipment problems, such as door lock actuator failures and rusting body panels, have been reported 1 time each for the 1985 Chevrolet Astro. These issues can affect the vehicle's appearance and functionality.

In summary, the 1985 Chevrolet Astro has several common problems, including lighting issues, fuel system problems, seat problems, visibility issues, brake problems, suspension problems, steering problems, exterior and equipment problems. These issues can affect the vehicle's safety, performance, and appearance, and may require repairs or replacement of components.

How long does a Chevy Astro engine last?

These engines are extremely reliable and long lasting as long as they receive basic maintenance. I have seen many 4.3 L V6 is with well over 300,000 miles on them. Ultimately a Chevy Astro can make it that far and although still running it will start falling apart around the engine.

How reliable is the Chevy Astro?

Are Chevy Astro vans reliable? Chevy Astro vans tend to be very reliable. These vans were built primarily for commercial use and they have the same reliability and longevity that you would expect from other commercial trucks and vans. If you take care of them they should have no problem lasting over 200,000 miles.

Why was the Chevy Astro discontinued?

The Astro was discontinued in 2005 because General Motors thought that they were not selling as well as they used to. The Astro was replaced by the Chevrolet Uplander, Chevrolet Traverse and the Chevrolet City Express.

How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Astro?

Based on data from 25 vehicles, 1,640 fuel-ups and 464,788 miles of driving, the 2000 Chevrolet Astro gets a combined Avg MPG of 15.10 with a 0.18 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 120 outliers (6.82%) removed.

How long does a Chevy Astro engine last?

How reliable is the Chevy Astro?

What kind of engine does a Chevy Astro have?

The Astro uses a 4.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 190 horsepower.

Why was the Chevy Astro discontinued?

1985 Chevrolet Astro car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Astro problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Steering problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Seat belts problems
Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Chevrolet Astro vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Chevrolet Astro complaints

The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Chevrolet Astro.

2002-08-21

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-04-01
VIN: 1G1FP87F1FN
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS
Summary: I HAD A RECALL DONE ON THIS AT THAT TIME THE DEALER JUST RELPLACED THE BUCKLE BUTTONS AND PUT SOME SPRING CLIP ON THE RETRACTOR, THE SPRING DID NOT HOLD AND THE RETRACTOR TOTALLY GAVE UP WORKING I HEARD IT SPRING ALL OVER IN THE PILLAR AND THE BUCKLE HAS TOTALLY DETRIORATED FROM THE UV LIGHT IF THE RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE RIGHT I WOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS.RAKES HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME COMPONETS FAILED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS AS WELL SEEN IT ALL THE TIME WHEN I WORKED AT A GM DEALER.*AK

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1997-10-31

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1G8DM15N8FB
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE SITTING/RUNNING OR OFF. BUT TRANSMISSION STILL PULLS VAN REVERSE OR FORWARD. *AK

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1996-03-28

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-04-06
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS.

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1996-03-25

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-03-25
Components: STEERING
Summary: TILT STEERING COLUMN UNLATCHES AND BEGINS TO SWING WHILE DRIVING. *AK

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1995-06-02

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-05-01
Components: STEERING
Summary: THE BOLT INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN COME LOOSE. TT

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1994-12-28

SEATS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1994-12-28
Components: SEATS
Summary: BOLT OT SEAT BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIRS (91C33). *TW

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1985 Chevrolet Astro recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 1985 Chevrolet Astro.

2006-05-24

Manufacturer: CK MOTORSPORT, INC.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.

2006-05-19

Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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).

2006-03-23

Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.

1993-11-16

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SEATS
Summary: 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 LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Consequence: IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.

1985-12-03

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Summary: A PART OF THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING WHICH ATTACHES TO THE FRAME MAY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING DIFFICULTIES WILL OCCUR AND THE STEERING GEAR TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE BROKEN OR CRACKED STEERING GEAR OR INSTALL A BRACE IF STEERING GEAR IS NOT BROKEN OR CRACKED.

1985-10-07

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:AIR:CHAMBER
Summary: THE REAR BRAKE RELEASE TIME MAY BE GREATER THAN THE TIME SPECIFIED IN FMVSS 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEM". IN ADDITION, SOME TRACTORS MAY HAVE WARPED PARKING BRAKE APPLY SPRINGS WHICH ALSO EFFECT THE REAR BRAKE RELEASE TIME. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: TRACTORS FAIL TO MEET THE STOPPING DISTANCE SPECIFIED IN FMVSS 121 WHICH IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE TRUCK SAFELY.
Remedy: INSTALL A QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN THE TRAILER SERVICE AIR LINE AND INCREASE THE DIAMETER OF THE REAR SERVICE BRAKE LINE. ALSO INSPECT REAR SPRING BRAKE CHAMBER AND RELEASE IF NECESSARY.