Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
We have a 1999 Chevy Astro van. We had a factory re-manufactured transmission which was supplied by guaranty Chevrolet on 8-30-02, installed. The van had 67,532 miles. We are original owners and never towed anything. We also paid to have a separate new cooling system installed for the transmission and also had the driveshaft rebuilt and balanced. Now, our 2nd transmission has failed at 44,547 more miles since installed in 2002. We have spent $5,700.00. Our transmission place wrote GM. Mark dowler of Chevy called me and said sorry, we won't help you. We are going to small claims court if need be. Thank you.
While driving the vehicle would surge and jerk then clunk, the dealer has attempted to repair the vehicle several time but the problem resurfaces, other failures include PCM failed causing the check engine light to illuminate, the gas gauge jumps from full tank to empty causing the vehicle to run out of gas, rear door handle broke twice, drivers side window motor was replaced and the air bag light would flicker on and off.
Purchased used Astro van and noted on 2nd day when putting in reverse then to drive a loud clunk and hard jump forward unless you delay taking foot off brake or applying gas until you can feel the gear engage (approx. 5-10 seconds). This is dangerous when backing up, as I have almost been hit twice now. It needs to be fixed correctly or replaced.
Consumer noticed when turning the vehicle would make a loud noise. When stopping it would vibrate. After the mechanic examined the vehicle there were no parts for the vehicle. Driver's shaft chain was defective.
I have complained about the transmission banging when going from 1st to 2nd gear. I was told that this was normal everytine I brought it in for a check up. This has been going on since the time I bought it. The transmission finally failed at the date mentioned. I lost reverse but I had drive. As I drove it home the RPM's were high and it barely shifted. I barely got it home since the transmission was slipping between gears all the way home. I limped it home then had it towed in the next morning. I got the van back 6 days later. Now it slips before going to into 1st gear. It never did that before with the 1st transmission. It also slips between first and second again. I was told that was normal. I have driven 4 other Astro vans the same year and make and they do not slip between gears. …
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.
The transmission has a dangerous problem - when shifting from park to reverse it works normal - when shifting from neutral or drive to reverse it takes 3-5 seconds to engage - this is not evident in the other two cvevrolets that I own (one has the same transmission) - this is dangerous since if you are parking on a grade you release the brakes to back up it starts to roll foreward before the reverse engages - it is also kind of dangerous while making a u-turn since while waiting for reverse to engage another car can come flying toward you - then if you "give it gas" too soon it spins and grabs suddenly making the car "jerk".
Has failed to start on several occasions, noticed strong burning odor from under hood this most recent time electrical components under hood were vibrating and smoking. Proceding that all electrciall components of vehicle have failed including interior lights, horn hazard lights, alarm system. Transmission slips and slams into gear violently at higher speeds usually on freeway. Dealership says no problem picked up by on board computers.
Transmission complaints in other Astro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Astro?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Chevrolet Astro, 16% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Astro transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.