While slowing to a stop at about 2 MPH on dry pavement, the vehicle's anti-lock braking system started rapidly cycling, no brakes were grabbing because of the rapid cycling, the engine started to race slightly, and the vehicle was headed for either two pedestrians or a building. To stop the vehicle, I placed the transmission in reverse and the vehicle came to a stop. After another brake attempt the brakes responded. I went to an isolated street with some ice and dry pavement, and this anti-lock braking failure occurred in 1 out of 5 braking attempts. I never received an anti-lock warning light and the system completed its self tests properly on each engine start up. I removed the 60 amp fuse to disable the system and I am not sure I can ever trust this system again.
1998 Chevrolet Astro: brake failure
6 of the 240 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Astro describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Brake failure by model year
What owners say
While driving 40 MPH consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the rear. The brakes failed, and power steering malfunctioned. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer inspected the vehicle, and noticed that the belt tensioner fell off.
Plastic pulley on belt tensioner desentegraded causing arm to bust off engine block while traveling on interstate in middle lane. Surprised by loss of brake pedal while pulling over to emergency lane in heavy traffic! Glad my wife was not driving the van at this time. My opinion is that not only is this a cheap part , but possibly dangerous in certain conditions. Not to mention stranded 40 miles from home.
When applying the brakes, pedal goes to the floor, causing vehicle to not stop, which resulted in owner hitting another vehicle.
Brakes failed.
Anti lock brakes failed. Yh
Service bulletins that may apply
- Service brakes
- This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable...
- General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will...
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) light on speedometer may be erratic
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds on various models including the 1995 and 1996 envoy
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Astro brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro?
6 of 240 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Astro (3%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro?
There are 0 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro
Wipers 39ABS 7No deployment 7Stalling 7Fire or smoke 6Power steering loss 6Pulling 6Loss of power 5
VIN decoder
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