Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Astro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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 …
Comments: why did everyone miss the 1999 Chevy Astro van with AWD? I already had the front wheel bearings replaced (at my cost) earlier this year for the same problem!!! Parts are no longer available, but local Firestone garage performed the maintenance, and has the records of the service. Near-miss too many times at low speed stopping problems. Some one needs to include the Chevy & GMC Mini-vans!!!
ABS braking light appeared on dashboard and remained on. While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer lost control of vehicle and struck another vehicle from behind. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. Vehicle was towed, and totaled out by the insurance company.
At 29,000 miles the front brake rotors, bearings and pads had to be replaced. When I complained that this was low miles for brakes to fail, the manager said the brakes go out early on this model because the back brakes were not so good since the self adjusting was not reliable. I wrote twice to GM asking for clarification. I spoke to the manager;s boss who said I would replace brakes every 30,000 miles because the brakes were light for the van weight. Now at about 43,000 I am again having brake problems. Seems wrong to me. Item 2 -at 35,425 miles I reported when the van was in for service that I push the gas pedal down and the van just did not want to go. Then if you held the pedal down after a bit, the van would jump forward because it suddenly got gas. This was bad when anything was around close because of the sudden acceleration. …
Brakes have been severly worn out consumer stated the seatbelts, arm rests, console the trim on the seat cushion has torn, there is wind noise from high top roof, window is loose, radio is inoperative, power steering fluid leaking, steering coolumn is making a noise, weatherstrip coming off of back door, tires shake, there is a hard thump whe going over bumps, cigarette lighter is inoperative,transmission shifts hard, pressure guage gets stuck, window gets stuck, there are no low beam lights, windshield wipers are inoperative, door lock do not come all the way up, the front end of vehicle dips, and the shocks feel weak, the lifgate does not stay open, interior lights stay on to long, vehicle remote is inoperative, sliding door is hard to open at times, oil pressure guage reads high, refrigerator not operating from rear socket, heating system is inoperative, battery goes dead.
Both front brakes on this vehicle wore evenly, paper thin in 8000 miles - this is abnormal since my old Astro went more than20,000 miles and still had plenty left when I changed them - both wheels spin freely without binding - my best guess is that the back brakes May not be grabbing (or the fronts May be grabbing too hard - Chevrolet is trying to blame my driving - this is very dangerous since if the lining wears off it will pull to that side while braking and possibly cause a crash - I do not ride my brakes and do all highway driving - brakes are supposed to last longer than 8000 miles.
Intermittent failure of steering where steering binds turning right or left. Have to force steering to complete turns. Brakes also intermittantly will grab hard when coming to a fast, hard stop. Hydravac unit has been replaced. Dealer chacked power steering pump pressure per GM tech support. Plan now is to replace steering gear box. Don't see how this could affect brakes. Power steering pump has had a high pitched whine since it was new. Dealer and GM do not seem to be concerned with that.
Brakes pads are wearing excessively. Front brakes/ rotors & wheel bearing were all replaced. Consumer received a phone call from GMC. Apparently, they know of problem, but no recall was issued. Something in the brake system is malfunctioning, according to the consumer.
Brake complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Chevrolet Astro, 17% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Astro brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Astro, though it has 1 recall 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 1999 Chevrolet Astro brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.