Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Chevrolet Astro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer has experienced several problems with vehicle, right rear blinker and parking brake bulb failed. Back hatch would not open, door was locked and would not open, dealer found latch rod retainers worn out. Alternator failed. Serpentine belt failed. Air conditioner quit blowing. Rear end was roaring, dealer replaced rear differential. Oil pressure would go to zero, dealer replaced indicator. Vehicle experienced missing, dealer replaced spark plub and distributor cap, when the engine cover was removed, dealer found the plug wires shorting to the cylinder head, dealer replaced all plug wires. Vehicle would turn, but would not start, dealer found fuel pump shorted out, dealer replaced fuel pump system. Oil leaking at pinion area, dealer replaced front differential and pinion seal. Rear axle was replaced due to rear axle seal leaking. …
My wife was traveling southbound on route 41 in princeton, indiana, at approximately 55 - 60 m.p.h. Unexpectedly, and without her command, the cruise control engaged itself and forced the vehicle to accelerate rapidly. Please note that she was not utilizing the cruise control function at the time. Applying the brakes did not have the effect of disengaging the cruise control. Driver was fighting the force of the drive train unintended acceleration with full brake force, but the vehicle would not come to a safe stop. Finally, my wife had the presence of mind to put the vehicle in neutral to disengage power to the rear drive wheels. She activated the parking brake and the primary brakes to stop the vehicle. Once fully stopped at the side of the road, she called me at work for assistance. …
The alternator bracket, serpentine belt and tensioner broke. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle from the main road; however, due to loss of brakes, the consumer wasn't able to use the emergency brakes. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle when the transmission was shifted to park. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and it was discovered that the failure was the alternator, serpentine belt and tensioner. Incident was reported also at general motors (GM), Chevrolet motor division (file number: 1-185249227).
Pulled into shopping center parking lot ( 35mph slight right turn) started to turn left to parking space and engine cut-out suddenly without warning. Incident was recorded by my dash cam: http://s247.photobucket.com/user/hchickpea/media/vanpowercutout_zpsb0e071e6.mp4.html you can see the flash of a police car going in the opposite direction at almost the exact time of the engine stopping. No apparent ignition switch problems, no engine chugging or sounds, lightweight keychain.
I purchased the van used in 2000 and it burned down in 2001. I have had the wireharnes, aircompressor and fuel injection (recall) all repaired by dealer. While driving on hyway engine made loud noise and failed. Pulled over and relized that van was on fire. Fire deptment shut off fire. Van was totaled. Financed by gmac
Tl contact owns a 1995 Chevrolet Astro van. The contact stated that whenever the battery malfunctioned the doors do not unlock from the inside of the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 175,000.
The speed ometer works intermittenly and the windshield wipers also work intermittenly. Sometimes the car stalls, or will not start and when taken to a dealer they came nothing is wrong. It also will sometimes run rough and will have a service engine soon light come on. I did receive a letter from Chevrolet regarding some of these problems, but I was told my car did not qualify for a recall repair because there was nothing wrong.
General motors case no. S1-2161972. Dealer offered to partially waive cost of repair. I am concerned that repair consisted of re-routing wire to prevent break from happening again without input from GM on a safety issue. I seek to have the repair reviewed by GM engineering and obtain confirmation from GM of a possible safety problem with a wire breaking at the fuel tank area due to rubbing against the body or the chassis.
When stopping or starting vehicle would accelerate and lunge forward. Dealer contacted, and stated computer chip was defective. Could not remedy problem. Also, fuel pump went out, vehicle does not comply to any recalls. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
Loud squealing noise coming from serpentine belt and or alternator. Worse on cold or wet days. Dealer has replaced alternator serpentine /belt, and pulley arm. Some parts have been replaced more than once. Have taken to dealer 4 time in 2 years.
Electrical complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Chevrolet Astro, 5% of the model year's 446 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Chevrolet Astro electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1995 Chevrolet Astro, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Chevrolet Astro electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 175,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.