Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Astro. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the accelerator throttle cable fractured in the stuck open position, causing the vehicle to accelerate to approximately 100 MPH independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 258,300.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Astro van. While driving 30 to 35 MPH, the vehicle began accelerating on its own. The vehicle would not slow down by applying the brakes which forced the contact to shift gears into neutral and then into third gear. Within a few minutes, the contact was able to slow down the vehicle engaging the brake pedal and shut the engine off. The contact was informed to engage the accelerator pedal to loosen the throttle; however, when he restarted the vehicle the RPM's increased rapidly. The police helped the contact push the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the rapid acceleration was due to a frayed accelerator cable. The dealer replaced the accelerator cable and adjusted the idle and throttle plate. The vehicle is driving normally. …
Dt: the consumer stated his wife put her foot on the brake and it did not stop; it accelerated when she hit the brake and she hit two parked cars on 7-23-05. She was going approx. 3-5 MPH. This is not the first time this has happened. Previously, they had felt some pulsating in the pedal, but it became progressively worse. This is the first time they have felt it accelerate. No lights came on prior to this or previously. This occurred during normal braking, on a dry road.
While traveling at highway speeds the accelerator pedal became stuck. Vehicle continued to accelerate in a run-away mode. Vehicle was eventually stopped through combination of brakes and traveling into mud. Upon stopping it was noticed that the front brakes were flaming - most likely due to excessive heat.
Had cruise control engaged prior to entering a reduced speed area and it functioned normally. After departing the reduced speed area, I engaged the resume function and the vehicle accelerated past the set speed and kept speeding up. I was able to control the vehicle with brakes although they got very hot and smoked severely. Attempts to turn off the cruise control failed, as well as turning off and removing the keys from the ignition. After successfully stopping the vehicle, I continued attempts to disengage the cruise control but any attempt to start the engine resulted in immediate racing of the engine. I examined the owner's manual and discovered that fuse number 6 was labeled "cruise module, cruise control switch, electromechanical mirror". The fuse was removed but the engine raced upon attempting to start it. …
Family and I were on hwy 441 traveling at 60 MPH. I braked and went down to 50 MPH as I began to make an exit off of this hwy. I let off brake and car sped up to 60 MPH and the cruise control was never on. I was on exit ramp going 60. I was forced to put transmission into neutral. I coasted to a place off the roadwhile engine was "reving at high RPM's". I snapped the gas pedal and engine went faster. I reached down to pull on gas pedal and throttle cable broke. Vehicle was towed to a GM dealer the next morning. Their diagnosis was a dirty throttle body and stuck throttle cable. Never heard of an excessively dirty throttle body causing this type of problem, especially to a 3 yr. Old vehicle with 50,000 miles.
Consumer struck a tree in the yard while placing foot on the brake pedal. Instead, consumer's foot struck the gas pedal. This happened because the pedals were too close together. They need to be placed further apart.
Cruise control fails to disengage in neutral and reverse. Inadequate shift lever detent action results in inadvertant shifting into reverse. July 4, 2001:with cruise control engaged at 55 MPH, operator mistakenly shifts from overdrive into neutral (thinking he is shifting from 3rd to overdrive). Engine begins to race when cruise control fails to disengage. While attempting to return to overdrive, operator shifts into lower gear due to inadequate detent action in shift lever. Engine races faster (cruise control still engaged). Operator shifts into reverse while attempting to locate overdrive due to inadequate detent action in shift lever. Cruise control remains engaged causing high speed reversal of drive wheels resulting in loss of vehicle control. Vehicle spins out and rolls on side. California highway patrol local report number 2001070020 (el dorado county).
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Astro years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (30), 1998 (18), 1999 (15), 1995 (11) and 2000 (11) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Astro acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Chevrolet Astro model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Astro acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (36 mentions), followed by the cables (6).
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.