Most common 1999 Chevrolet Astro problems
Share of the 133 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Astro complaints by model year
Best Astro years: 2005, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 1995, 1997, 1996, 1998, 2000. Compare all years →
1999 Chevrolet Astro recalls (1)
Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices
Vehicle description: Mini vans. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally May not come on or May terminate in less than four seconds as required by the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new alarm module. Owner notification began June 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
What 1999 Chevrolet Astro owners say
Brakes all 23 →
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Astro. The power steering pump failed while driving approximately 10 MPH. The contact applied the brakes, but nothing happened. He then depressed the brake pedal all the way to the floor, but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle crashed into his home. The vehicle was towed to a shop and the mechanic stated that there was failure within the powertrain. He further stated that the power steering and power brakes were connected to the same unit, causing both to fail simultaneously. He called GM and a representative from the engineering department stated that the brakes should have worked. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 120,000.
I have 2- Chevy Astro vans. 1-1998, 1-1999. The 1999 has corroded brake lines and gas lines. The main brake lines are corroded into. I was coming back from a long trip yesterday and I noticed that the brakes were soft. When I got home upon inspection I checked the break fluid and it was low. I filled it. I noticed a puddle of fluid by the back tire. And looked, I discovered all of the brake and gas lines were eat up with corrosion. GM needs to take this as a very serious problem and fix it immediately. I could have been killed , or I could have killed someone if the brakes failed to hold. I inspected the 1998 Astro van to see if it had a problem to. And upon doing so discovered it is fine, no problems. I have pics of both vans the pics will show that my statement is true. I bought the 1999 van (the one with corroded lines) in the state of ohio. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 21 →
Defects listed as AWD and transfer case May be same problem and were experienced from the first 300 miles and on (upon slowing down or accelerating a "clunk" was heard and felt from the front end also when cornering the vehicle "lurched/wheels grabbed" like it was stuck in 4wd. In July immediatly after it had been into the dealer to be serviced again the brakes caused the van to pull left at 35-50 MPH and when slowed for corners would sound like "loose parts rubbing together". In August of 1999 (just before the replacement transfer case came in) van hit loose gravel traveling at 45-50 MPH, pulled onto soft shoulder, forward about 12 ft, caught traction and came up on road, front left wheel was off ground when it came down the tire popped off the bead, wheel ground into pavement, flipping van on front, left side/corner, then onto hood and windshield, then onto full right side then …
1999 Chevrolet Astro with 65000 miles. Towed a light trailer (1500 lbs) from colorado to kansas, about 500 miles. A couple of weeks later the transmission occasionally started shifting very hard from 1st to 2nd; once it started, it would continue to do so until the ignition was turned off. Odbii code p1870 set. Apparently the computer monitors slippage in the trans and if it thinks it's slipping too much it applies full line pressure to the shift. Hard on entire driveline and devastating to the trans - we're having to have it completely rebuilt although if we would have replaced the valve body when it first started it might have been okay.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Astro. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire. The contact approached the vehicle and noticed that the entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department filed a report stating that the fire was due to on electrical issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000.
With no one in the car, leftside door, the switch that controls the outside mirrors started on fire. Luckly I was near the car with a friend and saw the running lights on the car flashing and the door switch on fire. By pulling the battery cable off we stopped the fire. The drivers door and switch where burned. The car drove home. On the way to work the next day the car headlights came on and wouldn't go off, then the heat motor started going on and off. I left the car with norwood motors to check out under warranty. My days May be off a day or two, but after a few weeks the service department could not find the problem and just replaced the main wire harness. Because it was a fire the dealership told me it was not covered under warranty, and I had to use my car fire insurance. …
1999 Chevrolet Astro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Astro a good car?
Based on 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Astro rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Astro at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Astro?
The brakes — 23 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (21) and electrical system (19).
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Astro have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Astro, the most recent from April 10, 2001 (warning light/devices). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Astro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1997, 1996, 1998 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet Astro years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Astro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.