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1998 Chevrolet Astro visibility problems

46 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,500.

owner complaints
46
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
86,500
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Windshield wiper/washer: motor
    21
  • Windshield wiper/washer
    12
  • Power window devices and controls
    7
  • Rear window wiper/washer: motor
    5
  • Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
    1
  • Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
    1
  • Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
    1
  • Rear window wiper/washer
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Astro visibility problems in other years

1990199520002005

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 39

Related recalls

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exteriorReported March 7, 2003 · 507,171 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Risk
If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on april 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.

Recall number 03V093000 · Recall details

What 1998 Chevrolet Astro owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 31, 2009 · Visibility · 129,877 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The driver stated that the windshield wiper circuit board causes the wipers not to function properly. If visibility is reduced while driving the risk for vehicle crash and serious injury are increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the windshield wiper motor was repaired. He contacted the manufacture and was informed by a representative that there were no existing recalls for his year make and model.. The failure mileage was 129,877. The current mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 20, 2007 · Visibility · 75,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stop working without warning. The failure occurs intermittently. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2007 · Visibility · 130,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that there was a short circuit in the electric switch for the outside side view mirror. The failure caused heat damage that ignited a fire in the driver side door. The entire van was engulfed in flames. The fire occurred in the driveway of the contact's residence. A police report was filed and no one was injured. The fire department extinguished the fire. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2005 · Visibility · VA

My wife was driving our 1998 chevy astro van in a heavy rain in heavy traffic near washington d.c. Last week. She turned the wipers on. The wipers randomly worked and didn't worked and it almost caused a very serious accident. This random "work/doesn't work" even has started happening more frequently since about 4 months ago. In doing research on the web, apparently gm knows about this problem but will not accept responsibility for the circuit board problem.

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Visibility · 60,000 miles · OH

Dt: the consumer stated that her windshield wipers fail intermittently. They came on when the consumer didn't need them, but when she needed them they wouldn't come on. This has happened in two astros that the consumer has owned. The first one was a 1995 chevy astro van and the second one is a 1998 astro van. The windshield wipers and motor to the wipers had to be replaced. The owner was told by a service technician that gm replaced the motor on the wipers on the models before the owners van. There is no recall on the 1998 vans. This has been a problem since 2003. The owner has not had this looked at by a technician. The owner stated that she usually she pulls over to the side of the road, pops the hood and taps on the windshield wiper motor to get the wiper to work, and most times this works. The consumer has not talked to the dealer but has talked with gm. The person at gm said that since there was no recall there is nothing that they can do. The owner just keeps tapping on the windshield wiper motor to correct this problem. The owner is taking her van in for recall work on the side mirror tomorrow. She is going to ask about the windshield wipers and show them the complaints that have been filed on the windshield wipers from the federal safety agency.

Filed Jul 11, 2005 · Visibility · OH

I have owned 3 chevy astro vans. 1995/2001/1998/ in the 1995 and in the one I have now 1998 the windshield wipers fail to work. They come on when there is no rain and don't come on when it rains. I spoke to a service man and he told me that many of the astro vans have that problem. A delay in winshield wipers

Filed Mar 2, 2005 · Brakes, Steering · 87,000 miles · PA

While braking at low speed the ABS would cause extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak front wheel speed sensor replaced. Left front window hangs when going up. Window tracke lubed. Pads and rotors replaced. Rer brake adjusted. Brake pedal kicked up when almost to a stop. Replaced brake calipers/rotors/ backing plates and removed sensors and cleaned rust build up on sensor and hub assemblies. Both idler amrs and front and rear shocks were replaced due to front end play.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Visibility · 97,490 miles · TX

Windshield wipers failed to operate at times when switched on. When they did operate, the wiper high speed function would not work. This is the identical problem that existed with my 1996 chevrolet blazer. The blazer was subject to a recall for a faulty wiper control module, which fixed the problem. Both vehicles use the same type of wiper control module, which appears to lose a connection on the module.

Filed Dec 6, 2004 · Visibility · 8,000 miles · GA

Windshield wipers failed intermittently while driving any speed. Dealership was aware of the problem, but did not resolve it.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Visibility · 95,000 miles · TX

Front windshield wipers failed to work intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak....wipers failed to work because of defective wiper motor pulse board. Visibility is impaired during a rain storm. This part was recalled on previous astro van models, but did not include 1998 modelwith same part.

Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Astro visibility

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Astro have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Chevrolet Astro, 19% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Astro visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Chevrolet Astro visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 03V093000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Astro have the most visibility problems?

The Chevrolet Astro model years with the most visibility complaints are 1995 (104 complaints), 1994 (88 complaints) and 1997 (62 complaints).

Other 1998 Chevrolet Astro problems

Brakes 38Engine 28Fuel system 28Transmission 26Electrical 25Suspension 21Acceleration 18Steering 15Seat belts 12Tires 12Airbags 10Body 8Locks 5Seats 2Lights 1

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