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 1998 Chevrolet Astro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Factory installed pass lock security system. It malfunctioned, and it shuts down the fuel system. The car just quits where ever it is . I have spent lots of money and 2 weeks without my car as a result of the inability of repair people to diagnose the problem. To make matters worse after one week and finally finding out the problem, it is taking another week to get the parts in illinois. While this is not something that caused an injury in this case. It is my understanding that this could happen on the highway and cause a horrendous mess. I also asked the dealer if he could just disconnect it and was told no!!!
The routing of the wiring harness installed at the factory was placed against the heatsink on the rear of the radio assembly causing the insulation to burn to cause a total loss of this vehicle. Contact john a. Reutter at superior investigations [phone] for further information and pictures.
Vehicle caught fire while parked in driveway, the fire started in third row bench seats of vehicle and also caused damage to the vinyl siding on the consumers home as well as the garage, the cause of the fire was undetermined, fire department determined possible mechanical failure.
High stopped working on the fan, then the fan speeds knob didn't work at all, that was replaced, but the wiring must have gotten hot at one time because the wire connection was dark, a couple months later, the only fan direction that is working is defrost
While driving at 50 MPH vehicle accelerated up to 3200 rpms. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, and technician determined computer needed to be replaced. The fuel injectors needed to be replaced.
The captioned vehicle on 7/27/99 was towed to the dealer as a result of a dangerous safety hazzard. The acid from the battery leaked over a period of time and corroded the the battery tray, the cable and all associated parts. The system was replaced by the dealer under warranty. At a cost of $230.00. On 9/27/00, the battery leaked again creating extensive poisonous fumes and danger when the hood was opened to check why the vehicle refused to operate. Once again the vehicle was towed but the dealer and manufacturer refused to honor the warrnanty even though this second incident was directly related to the hazzard of 7/99. The battery and its components posed a dangerous hazzard to the occupants emiting poisonous gasses and should be reviewed or recall . I injested fumes from the vehicle when the hood was released to check the engine. …
Security light kept coming on. Then car would not start, then took to dealer ,and the fuel pump had to be changed. One week later, vehicle would not start again , changed the sensor . Two weeks later, vehicle would not start once again. Towed truck to dealer, and they took out the dash and replaced a switch.
Brake lights and or directional signals will go out intermittently with no warning, a fuse blows when this happens. Dealer contacted eight times and are now talking with manufacturer to try to solve the problem.
Control switch for power mirrors gets hot to the touch if left in neutral position but control works fine, also drivers side power window stops working sometimes , and the fuse for brake lights blew first week.
The fuel injector was leaking gasoline, and the gas ran through the electrical harness into the main computer. The dealer has been notified. Ts the speedometer had become inoperative. Scc
Electrical complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Astro, 10% of the model year's 241 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Astro electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 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 1998 Chevrolet Astro electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries 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.