1987 Chevrolet Astro problems & reliability
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (8 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 11 | 38% |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 21% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 10% |
| Seats | 3 | 10% |
| Structure | 3 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Brackets surrounding the power steering pump failing in this model vehicle which in turn causes the serpentine belt to pop while driving leaving a power failure and ability to steer the vehicle. I nearly crashed my vehicle in rush hour traffic because I could not steer to get off the road. Doing research over last few…”
Steering · filed Sep 18, 2006
“I have a gm astro van. The steering column bolts came loose therefore allowing the steering wheel and column to move about 2 to 3 inches in any direction. While the van is parked or while driving. This is the third time that this has happened. Two previus times the steering column bolts were fixed by a gm dearship…”
Steering · filed Aug 8, 2005
“Consumer states the steering column came loose while making a right turn at 25 mph and causes loss of steering control. Dealer was notified. Nlm”
Steering · filed Mar 27, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA92022 · opened Jun 24, 1992 · closed Nov 19, 1993 · led to recall 93V187000
- DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE92015 · opened Feb 4, 1992 · closed Jun 24, 1992
- POWER STEERING FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA90023 · opened Apr 16, 1990 · closed Apr 30, 1991
- SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE90039 · opened Feb 5, 1990 · closed Jun 29, 1990
- POWER STEERING FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE90028 · opened Dec 15, 1989 · closed Apr 16, 1990
- REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE89106 · opened Mar 23, 1989 · closed Sep 19, 1989
- REAR A/C UNIT
Engineering Analysis EA88039 · opened Sep 12, 1988 · closed Oct 31, 1989
Technical service bulletins
1 manufacturer communication (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro.
Window regulator motor does not fit. *tt
01667 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1987 Chevrolet Astro in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1987 Chevrolet Astro?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.