Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet Astro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1997 Chevy Astro van with 151K miles. Sunday, the power steering pump went out. When it did so, the brakes turned mushy with little braking power. We were lucky as we had just come down a steep driveway. If they had failed then our choices would have been to run into the back of a car if we could have turned, run into a group of people and then continued down a steep hill into brush and forest with likely casualties. Luckily, we had just started up to leave and noticed the problem. We shut down and the local Chevy dealership was able to obtain a part. However, the service writer told us that to this day, many Chevy vans and trucks have the same system where the power steering pump acts as a booster pump for the braking system. That lack of independence between the two systems is an engineering error and should be corrected.
I have a 1997 Astro, in the past 8 months the driver side window motor, windshield wiper motor and transmission have all been replaced. The transmission was replaced with 54,202 miles on it, which started giving us problems at about 53,000 miles. The dealership replaced both idler arms at 25,680 miles. Had seat belt chime fixed (recall), driver seat feels loose when stopping dealership claims to have tightened it, still feels loose. The van has always idled rough took it in 3 times for that and can't seem to fix that. Sliding door rattle they tried to fix that also still rattles. The gas pedal sticks when I take off or when I go in reverse which makes it impossible to take off smoothly. I had an Astro and a safari in the past and never had as many problems as I had with this one.
Brakes and steering failed simultaneously, resulting in a crash. GMC knows about the problem and will not fix it until enough people die. My family was almost killed. Anyone who has had a family member hurt or killed in a GM van should sue GMC.
While driving at low a speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering and brakes.this was caused by the steel rod shaft breaking in the power steering pump. The mechanic stated the hydro boost system had malfunctioned.
Driver's side rear window will not stay open, clips that should hold it up are blocked by material, window slams shut when going over a bump. Transmission went out at 45000 miles. Oil leak, dealer ordered axle output shaft seal and crankshaft sensor. Electric fuel pump replaced due to vehicle cutting and would crank, but would not star. Oil pressure gauge erratic, dealer replaced oil pressure sender. Front brakes and pads were replaced, rotors were resurfaced. Consumer states there is play in the steering, dealer replaced both idler arms and reset toe in. Power door locks inoperable, dealer replaced power door lock switch. Power window inoperable, dealer replaced power window switch. Shifter was hard to move, dealer replaced shift cable. Gas pedal binds at times, dealer ordered throttle cable and replaced accelerator cable. …
Power steering failed while driving 5 MPH and then the power brakes did not work. Car was towed to dealer. Dealer reported power steering pump went and offered 50% assistance program to pay for the repair. Dealer also advised that the alignment was severely out and would also need to replace all four tires. When dealer went to do alignment, he now informs us that the steering components are bad: pitman arm, 2 inner tie rods, and 2 idler arms. Dealer claims this is due to lack of maintenance, I.e. Greasing. This is the second alignment we have had to have done on this van (4/98 first alignment and replaced four tires at that time also. Had the van for 11 months??) we feel that steering components have been defective from the beginning thus requiring two alignments and two new sets of tires in 40 months. …
I have had a number of problems with this vehicle: both the left and right power windor motors; replace the key remote, both idler arms,front brake pad at 37,000 miles, serpentime belt, power steering pump - replaced twice, had to fix oil cooler lines twice, replaced distributor/rotor; replaced lower gasket due to intake manifold leak, and fuel pump modual. All of this was done before my car had 57,000 miles. The dealer has been very fair and repaired at low or now cost. I have had two trips shortened due to breakdowns and have spent over $1,500 on repairs not covered under warrenty or by the dealer. This is in addition to normal maintenance (oil and filter,four new tires,and transmission fluid and filter). I am concerned as to "what is next" and when the dealer when no longer be able to fix these problems at low cost to me.
Upon ma state inspection the 2 front idler arms were found to be completely gone "typical of blazers and astros" they said. Independant garage found that the arms were extremely worn for this milage. Also the front disk rotors are worn past the point of safty, and a deteration of the cooling and support fins is noted, this seems odd as the rotor pads show typical and even wear for the milage. The rotors are evenly worn, but excessivly deep cut. At 15000 miles the pedal went completely to the floor at a stop sign, OK on second pump, never occured again. I have heard of this and I am always cautious. Breaks sometimes act oddly but work OK. I still feel great about chev vans though my arm rest fell off ?
Occurance 1) engine stopped without warning while approcahing an intersection. The resulting loss of power caused a severe control problem with the van. The reason for the failure was the fuel guage read 3/4 and the van ran out of fuel. Occurance 2) the fuel guage has totally stopped functioning, after topping off and proceeding onto highway I drove for 1/2 hour at 65, a sudden slam occured 2 or three times, appeared to be the engine cutting in and out, slowed to 55 and continued for 150 miles without further incident. Occurance 3) vehicle has no fuel guage, I am told it's out of warranty, even if full the vehicle seem to loose control momentarally, as if to loose power.
There is a 1/2" metal shaft that goes into the pump that sheared off. I was making a hard right turn from a dead stop when the shaft snapped although I didn't know what had happened at the time. I only heard a noise but didn't know what it was at the time.. I lost the ability to steer and brake. I didn't know the brakes were gone until I began traveling down a hill and tried to slow down. The steering was very stiff and unresponsive. I was forced to slam the gearshift into park while traveling 35mph & using the emergency brake to stop. The pump cost $300 to replace but we have transmission damage as well with the repair bill still unknown. We had the vehicle towed.
Steering complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, 11% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Astro steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1997 Chevrolet Astro, though it has 4 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 1997 Chevrolet Astro steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.