Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet Astro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 1996 Chevrolet Astro van. I've replaced the driver and passenger side power window motor's four times, each. Our company has 26 vehicles, all Astro van's and all have the same problem. I just received a recall notice about the wiper motor on this vehicle. The power window motor definitely is more of a problem. I can't believe that there hasn't been a recall. In the winter, you'll being driving, lower the window and all of a sudden can't get it up. It's even more of a problem when it rains. Please check into this. I first replaced the motor on both sides @ 19,000 mile, than 39,000 miles and so on. When I called GM to complain the customer service rep was stone cold; couldn't care less! If you check into this you'll see it's a majpor problem.
Windshield wipers intermittently do not work. Has happened during all sorts of conditions. When stopped, moving, etc.. Last time failure occurred when vehicle was on a major highway in a driving rainstorm. When Chevrolet was contacted on June 30, 1999, they stated there was a recall for this problem. It is for the pulse printed circuit board and the number is 97V043. When they checked our VIN, I was informed it did not apply to our vehicle. This condition is potentially life threatening and should be investigated. Several other Chevy Astro owners have stated they also have had problems similiar to this.
ABS light is on, and when brakes are applied stopping distance is not normal. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer has had numerous repairs on vehicle, differential was overhauled, windshield wipers work intermittenly, fule injection system was repaired, ignition switch cylinder was replaced, as well as alternator, the entire ABS system has been rebuilt, consumer states rattle sound from front of engine drivebelt was replaced as well as tensioner, also fule/air filter was replaced. Automatic transmission was replaced. Front and rear shocks were replaced.
Sometimes windshield wipers work fine/some times windshield wipers will go fast, even on intermittent basis, and some times they don't work at all. There was a recall on wipers mulfunctions during the previous year and the consumer believes that this problem is the same as the 95 models. The A/C hose assembly failed twice and was repaired, but it failed again.
Whenever windshield wipers are in use, they can be used only in high position. After vehicle has warmed up, wipers would not work properly in the rain. The more moisture in the atmosphere, the worse the wipers work or stop completely. When parked in garage & heater drys out wipers,they work fine on high, but not on low.
Wipers quit working during heavy rain storm, switch position made no difference. After several minutes they started working again, only to fail working after a short period of time. This happened (4) more times during our driving time of 6 hours returning home from vacation.
Chevrolet Astro van 1996. The drivers window motor stopped working about 6 months after purchase, was repaired, then it stopped working again about a 6 months later. The Chevrolet dealer will not fix it because they say it is out of warranty. Still unusable.
This vehicle has a bad windshield wiper motor that causes the wiper to work inproperly. When the wipers are activated they sometimes will not move/they will go very fast, or stop in the middle of the windshield. Dealer has been contacted.
Windshield wipers become inoperable in rainy weather conditions due to cracks in solder joints. Because of bad design of electrical cable connection to the circuit board, there were frequent failures of windshield wipers.
Windshield wipers would not work properly when in use. Would work intermittently on different mode settings. Sometimes stopped on their own & then restared on their own. This caused the driver to have poor visibility during rain.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro, 21% of the model year's 263 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Astro window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Astro window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles.
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.