Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
360Complaints
7Recalls
23Crashes
7Fires
25Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (10.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:automatic Transmission
38 · 10.6%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
34 · 9.4%
not available
—
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
26 · 7.2%
Recalled
Recall 03V159000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
21 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 03V159000
Vehicle Speed Control
17 · 4.7%
not available
—
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
15 · 4.2%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 360 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE SINCE THEN. TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED DUE TO FAULTY COOLANT HOS A…”NHTSA complaint 711459 — filed 09/16/1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AFTER DRIVING ON THE HWY FOR 30 MIN OR LONGER, WHEN COMING TO STOP AND PROCEEDING, VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD GIVING THE IMPRESSION OF BEING HIT…”NHTSA complaint 710756 — filed 08/31/1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK ,CAUSING BRAKES TO BE INOPERATIVE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL.”NHTSA complaint 845092 — filed 08/16/1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 360 NHTSA complaints (10.6%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (34), visibility:power window devices and controls (26), visibility:windshield wiper/washer (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Astro have?
360 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Astro have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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