1997 Chevrolet Astro body problems

Filed Oct 28, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 137,560 miles · VA

1997 chevrolet astrovan with electrical door locks. Pulled into sheetz gas and go and went to open the drivers door and it did not open. Tried to push the manual inside door lock but it was totally frozen and would not actuate. Next tried electrical door lock switch. No response on drivers door but there was weak sound from passenger door lock solenoid. It was as if on the passenger side it was suffering from insufficient voltage. Crawled out of passenger seat and got out of car. ' took ignition key and inserted it into drivers door lock. Key would turn to lock (felt the detent of the ) and back to neutral... Key would not turn to unlock position ...would move a little and then freeze. I did not try harder to turn as I felt there was a very good chance the key would break and leave me stranded 40 miles from home... No backup ignition key. Ignition key works the door locks in this model. Went to ntstb web site and searched for other people with same type problem. No luck. Went to google and did same search chevrolet astrovan door won't open and got a number of complaints that had not reached ntstb.. Chevrolet has to know about this problem. If this model has flip up steering wheel, this would not be the problem it is. It is very difficult for older and larger problem to climb out of the bucket seat as the steering wheel traps your legs whereas a bench seat you simply slide sideways. This is an entrapment issue!!!!!! Will see dealer in hour.

Filed Jan 11, 2011 · Body · 140,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro. While changing one of the tires the contact noticed that the cable which holds the spare tire underneath the vehicle was severely corroded. While the contact was performing his owns repair to replace the cable, it fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 153,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Body, Engine · 30,000 miles · WA

The consumer's 1987 and 1997 chevrolet astro vans had faulty engine's.***no answer required***. *mr the power windows failed, the driver's seat came loose, the rear door hatch broke and the transmission failed due to the torque converter slipping and valve body wear (90000 miles).

Filed Jun 5, 2004 · Body · HI

Paint is peeling and cracking on my 1997 chevrolet astro. While under warrenty the roof was repainted. Soon it started to crack but dealer would not help. As a owner of several gm vehicles I feel my van should be repainted for free since this is a known defect of gm. All I am asking for is for gm to pay to have my van fully repainted. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you. Anthony o. Hooper.

Filed Aug 11, 2003 · Body · 78,000 miles · VA

Door handle on rear door has broken.

Filed Mar 13, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · 53,000 miles · MI

I have a 1997 astro, in the past 8 months the driver side window motor, windshield wiper motor and transmission have all been replaced. The transmission was replaced with 54,202 miles on it, which started giving us problems at about 53,000 miles. The dealership replaced both idler arms at 25,680 miles. Had seat belt chime fixed (recall), driver seat feels loose when stopping dealership claims to have tightened it, still feels loose. The van has always idled rough took it in 3 times for that and can't seem to fix that. Sliding door rattle they tried to fix that also still rattles. The gas pedal sticks when I take off or when I go in reverse which makes it impossible to take off smoothly. I had an astro and a safari in the past and never had as many problems as I had with this one.

Filed Jul 19, 2001 · Body · AR

Cracks developed in the frame hoilding the side door which started rattling and if unchecked could have resulted in the loss of a door in traffic. Chevrolet dealer that sold this vehicle new and has maintained it for 60,000 miles of warranty says this is not covered under sorkmanship or poor engineering. This is a safety hazard since the door weighs approx 100 pounds and the loos of it on a highway at high speed could be extremely dangerous.

Filed Jul 2, 2001 · Body · NY

Hatchback hydraulic lifters have failed twice. Dealer has inspected vehicle. Please provide additional information.

Filed May 23, 2001 · Body, Suspension · CA

The rear hatch door will not stay up the consumer has to hold the hatch open. Nlm

Filed Jan 22, 2001 · Body · CA

The lift gate fell on consumer's head, the 2 hydraulic cylinders failed, no one was injured.