1989 Chevrolet Astro problems & reliability
57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 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.
3 complaints report injuries (5 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 13 | 23% |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 9% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 9% |
| Structure | 5 | 9% |
| Power Train | 4 | 7% |
| Suspension | 4 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 5% |
| Seats | 3 | 5% |
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
“Tl* the contact owned a 1989 chevrolet astro. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact was unsure if the air bags deployed. The driver died at the scene and the rear driver side passenger sustained a head injury, memory loss…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 25, 2015
“Rusted metal brake line from the oe brake line splice forward of the fuel tank to the line splitter at the rear axel allowed brake fluid to leak. As the line was removed to replace, seepage on the rusted line to the left brake from the splitter was observed. As a precaution, the right rear line was removed which…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Nov 2, 2011
“The first failure occurred while pulling into the parking space at my place of employment. The power steering bracket, or brace, gm part # 10045287 6.006 broke and the power steering unit, belt, and other items became inoperative. The vehicle was still under factory warranty and the dealer towed it in and repaired…”
Steering · filed Aug 15, 2004
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
Technical service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Chevrolet Astro.
General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will move down or self apply during full lock turns or near full lock turns. Chevrolet astro and gmc safari vans…
PIT-3665-A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
Window regulator motor does not fit. *tt
01667 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan. *tt
990730016A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2002
Transmission extention seal leaks. *tw
467108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994
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 1989 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 1989 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.