1994-1998 Astro owner's this way

[MiDnIgHt RuMbLeR]

I am looking into purchasing an astro van and would like to know what common problems may occure with these vans besides the normal wear and tear related items. I need this van to be practable and very very reliable as i have a 3 month old son which is why i am asking how good these vans are. Around how many miles do things commonly start to go wrong with these vans?

[MiDnIgHt RuMbLeR]

Wow, 10 people have viewed this thread and probobly 5 out of the 10 own or did own an astro and not one can take the time out to reply to how good these vans actually are?

Come on guys

[yoslick]

Usually in the 40-50K range they require a complete tune up and then again around 100K, depending on style of driving can affect them also, stop and go etc... hard on brakes.....I've got 3 of them and consider all 3 very dependable any time!!

[skflaash]

I have maintained both vehicles the best I can, I have experienced a few minor electrical woes but nothing that wasn't solved with the help of the Dealer Service Manuals.'cept for the Mis-fire I'm working on now but with time I'll get that too.

Neither vehicle has ever left me stranded, unless interior lights left on(wife?) and killed battery.I've driven full size vans for years, and the Astro is a better ride and doesn't PLOW thru the turns on offramps.
Tires wear great. 18 to 22 mpg

Many complain of drive train woes, change oil in rears, fluid in transmission and transfer case(every 15,000miles) and much will be saved here.I tow with mine on gravel and dirt roads,and all is still well.
Also flush clean brake fluid through sytem every 2 yrs

Repairs needed: Idler arms,new alternators, water pumps,one rear axle seal, front brakes twice, rears once. one leaking steering pump, one leaking trans-cooling hose,one power window motor,

best of luck

[ggcatt]

I've had my '92 Astro since it was a demonstrator (7K miles) up to today (133K miles). I've have very good success, and would recommend one. 17-21 mpg, very solid and stable. I've replaced the starter, water pump, shocks, and brakes. Third set of tires on it, with 20K left on wear. Engine, alternator, transmission, rear end, AC, radiator, and interior are all original. I've had nusiciance problems like door locks not working well, sliding door sticking, and the like. But, if you're looking for safety, reliability, and value, and don't mind putting in the gas, you're doing well to hook up with a well maintained Astro.

[tableman]

I have a 1996 Astro, has 196,000 km on it, purchased it used with 185,000 on it, 8 months ago. My family of 4, find very roomy and comfortable. With children I recommend the 7 seater, 4 captains chairs and bench in back, it so much easier to load up the kids, with car seats.
Problems so far, rear brake cylinder, oxygen sensor, alternator, and just lately, it has a small jerk some times, some sensor is going but not set a code yet. We tow a tent trailer around in the summer, no problem. Would recommend the van as great family vehicle.

[RonB]

I have a '95 2 wheel drive Astro with 249,750 miles on it. I have replaced the plugs and air cleaner about every 50/70 thousand miles. One set of plug wires at about 60,000 (had an occasional miss). The wire was broken when the first owner got the van, dealer could not find it. They told him they replaced the wires, but they didn't. Brakes as needed, couple of batteries. Two alternators, one water pump at 240,000, charged A/C this spring, fuel pump at 245,000, couple of fuel filters, driver window motor, driver door lock, rear hatch door latch came loose. The manifold gasket has a slow coolant leak, I have to top coolant off every couple of thousand miles (easier that fixing it). I CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER EVERY 3 TO 5 THOUSAND MILES. One muffler and exhaust pipe. I am very satisfied with the performance of the van, still runs and looks good.

[Mecha2]

1994 Astro with HO engine, 4.3 V6, 4sp Auto, EXTENDED Van with dutch doors and roof rack.
130,000 miles replaced, fuel pump at 100,000 miles,
3 sets of front brakes, 4 sets of tires. Never stranded us. Gives us 27 mpg on highway. 17 in city.
Idler arms need replacing every 55,000 miles.
Complete front end Ball joints, Tie rods, etc..
at 115,000 miles. Bad ground at wiper motor
common fix - run a wire from the body of
the wiper motor to a good ground. Don't
replace the wiper switch/intermittent delay
as told by service. Also, AC/heater blower
motor has bad resistors changed at 120,000 miles.
(20 dollars for the dealer part)

A very good rugged truck with a full frame, not a
mini-van (unibody).

Recommend replacing passenger type tires with
LT (light truck) tires of the same size. Longer
wear and more steady on the highway. Almost
immune to crosswinds.

Can't put a price on safety - this is the one to
buy.

The key to longevity is maintenance oil changes,
antifreeze, lube front end and check differential.
Need I say more!!! Whew..

[Water Boy]

Nothing against Af but try going to
http://www.astrosafari.com/
They are the largest for the subject.

[Mecha2]

Thank you! I hope GM never mothball the ASTRO
SAFARI.

[Water Boy]

Originally Posted by Mecha2

Thank you! I hope GM never mothball the ASTRO
SAFARI.

Too late, 2005 is the end.

[Mecha2]

Originally Posted by Water Boy

Too late, 2005 is the end.

Thanks soooo very much for this info.. There was a rumour the
Venture/Montana would be upgraded to fill the Safari/Astro's
shoes. Haven't seen any specs, but I think based on the current
models....YECH!! The 3.4 Litre engine is a bitch to work on.

Best Regards...

[CD Smalley]

Still wouldn't count out the Astro.

The Montana is being upgraded in 2005 to be replaced in 2006. See media.gm.com for pictures and details. Nothing there yet about the Astro going away either.

[astrodaddy69]

Originally Posted by Water Boy

Nothing against Af but try going to
http://www.astrosafari.com/
They are the largest for the subject.

Astrosafari.com is down right now.

Their hosting company they were using went belly up and the owners are now searching for a new co to host the new board.

[red6583]

Originally Posted by MiDnIgHt RuMbLeR

I am looking into purchasing an astro van and would like to know what common problems may occure with these vans besides the normal wear and tear related items. I need this van to be practable and very very reliable as i have a 3 month old son which is why i am asking how good these vans are. Around how many miles do things commonly start to go wrong with these vans?

We purchased a '98 Astro in 2000 and had to start replacing parts after the first six weeks. Started with the fuel pump and then the electical system, catalytic converter, power window motor, windshield wiper motor, problems with the AC and several other parts that my husband could probably tell you about, but I can't remember the names of. It rides rough, is hard on tires (even though we've had it aligned), is a terrible gas hog, and there's almost no leg room in the front. My older kids (teen-age boys) have a difficult time getting into the back seat. The back door "jams" all the time, which is a pain in the neck when I'm trying to load 3 or 4 kids and $120 worth of groceries into the van in the rain in the grocery store parking lot! Now we seem to be having trouble again with the fuel system. You've probably gotten the idea that I'm not happy with this vehicle and will never have another one or recommend one to anyone. We've never had a vehicle give us more trouble than this one----it's our first Chevy and will most likely be the last one. I can't wait till we can afford something else. If you get one, I hope you have better luck than we have.