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2001 Chevrolet Astro problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Astro is brakes, typically around 58,000 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Astro model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Year score
62/100
Owner complaints
90
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
312
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
15-17mpg

The worst 2001 Chevrolet Astro problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    34
  • Lights
    19
  • Electrical
    7
  • Body
    5
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Suspension
    5
  • Transmission
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Locks
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Astro

ABS 20Brake failure 6

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported March 14, 2005 · 77,055 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, the multifunction switch may develop an open circuit condition in the stop lamp or hazard lamp circuit that results in the stop lamps and hazard lamps being inoperative.
Risk
The loss of stop lamps and rear hazard lamps could fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hazard warning flasher switch and apply special grease to the contacts at the time of installation of the module free of charge. The repair would be used in vehicles in which the hazard slider button is still movable. If a vehicle has a hazard slider button that is not movable (frozen), the entire multifunction switch will be replaced. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 05V099000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Astro

Defect investigations

Loss of brake lamp illuminationOpened October 19, 2004, closed March 21, 2005

In its letter dated march 9, 2005, gm stated that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a faulty multifunction switch in certain model year (my) 2001 and 2002 chevrolet astro and gmc safari vehicles; specifically, all my 2001 vehicles and early my 2002 vehicles built between march and august 2001.see the federal safety agency recall no. 05v‑099 for details.the multifunction switch may develop an open circuit in the brake lamp or hazard lamp circuit resulting in inoperative brake lamps and hazard lamps.this is due to the combined effects of the material and lubrication for the hazard switch contactor that result in increased resistance in the hazard switch and stuck hazard slider button in open (no contact) condition.dealers are to replace the hazard switch and apply special grease to the hazard switch contactor.if a vehicle has a stuck hazard slider button, dealers are to replace the entire multifunction switch.

PE04072

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Astro 312

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 312 bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Astro

2001 Chevrolet Astro fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.3L 6‑cylRWD152017
4.3L 6‑cyl4WD13-1417-1815

What 2001 Chevrolet Astro owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Fuel system · 166,200 miles · CA

Van will not pass smog. The very last time I drove it, I was driving it on a city street and it just died out. I've spent hundreds of dollars to have it fixed and itstill isn't fixed to pass smog. A shop said my fuel injection spider system is bad.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · WI

I am a licensed car dealer. I am very concerned at what I am seeing with my customers, with cars I see at the auctions, and with blog sites on the internet concerning chevy's ebcm computer module. At the auctions I am seeing at least 25% of chevrolets and about 10% of fords coming through with brake and ABS lights on. My main concern is with the chevy's ebcm. These very expensive units fail at the relay point on the printed circuit boards due to bad solder joints from the factory. When they fail, the driver gets a brake light and an ABS indicator light on the dash. The brakes still work on the car, but they don't work as designed. In fact the driver gets a false sense of security because his car is stopping, but in a slippery situation it will not stop as designed. When I went to the internet for ideas to fix the problem, I am finding a lot of postings saying just take the bulb out of the dash! I am also seeing ads on e bay where you can send your ebcm to a repair station, they take it apart, and re solder the joints for $49. I called the chevy dealer and they want over $1000 to fix the problem! I have heard of people selling their vehicle as is and telling the buyer that it's ok. The brakes work. I can't get the light to shut off! This is a very dangerous situation and it will become more dangerous as more and more cars are driving with inoperative ebcm computers. It looks like the defect comes from having the computer directly attached to the frames near the transmission and they are taking all the shock and vibration in that area. I am asking the government to look into this problem and issue a recall notice for defective ebcm computers. I also feel this problem is far worse than the dodge clock spring recall, and that effected all dodge vehicles. This braking problem we are seeing is bad enough that it may cause a large loss of life.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Seat belts · 162,732 miles · CA

Tl* the owns a 2001 chevrolet astro van. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the driver's and passenger's safety belts would unlatch independently. The vehicle had not been repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 162,732.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Brakes · 58,000 miles · FL

Brake and ABS lights come on intermittently, I had the code pulled at the auto parts store, it is the electronic ABS control module and upon googling "chevrolet brake ABS lights" it came to my attention that their appears to be thousands of vehicles with faulty ABS electronic modules which prevents the ABS function from working.

Filed Aug 8, 2013 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · IA

Going to stop at a slow speed engages ABS , causing van to not stop unless breakers were slammed on hard and hops of stopping!

Filed Nov 25, 2012 · Brakes · 198,000 miles · NY · crash

While pulling into a driveway at lowspeed I applied the brakes. The ABS light came on and all braking power was lost. My vehicle struck the one infront of me. I have been able to duplicate this low speed loss of braking.

Filed May 30, 2012 · Electrical · 174,000 miles · VA · fire

After approx. One week of oper. Of my 2001 chevy astro a fire occurred that would have resulted in a total loss of the vehicle and contents if I had not been close by. After driving my vehicle for approx. 20 miles and parking it my van caught fire after being shut off for 15 minutes. The vehicles positive and negative battery cables were run from the battery to the engine dangerously close to the steering linkage where it passes the engine support structure. If the vehicle is jacked up to the point where the tire is still touching the ground and the steering wheel is turned half way to the left the passenger side inner tie rod end is rubbing into the positive and negative battery cables which are in a common harness.if the suspension is moving up and down on a bumpy road while the wheel is turned to the left direct contact between the steering linkage and the battery cables will cause repeated damage over time resulting in an eventual fire.if this fire occurred while on the highway people could have been hurt. If this had happened last night while my van was parked in front of my house the 7 people including two small children living here could have died from fire caused by very poor engineering. If you can jack up a vehicle and cause a movable part of the vehicles suspension or steering to come into direct contact with the positive battery cable the vehicles engineers were negligent. Also having both battery cables in the same harness is not a very good idea either my vehicle to the best of my knowledge has never been in an accident or had any major repair work done. This issue should be a safety recall. If you have not had a reported death from this issue yet it is only a matter of time. My first vehicle was a gm and I suspect my last will be, but gm has to answer for this act of stupidity. I have pictures I can email that show just how obvious this flaw is.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 160,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet astro van. While traveling 5 MPH, the contact noticed that the brakes would no longer engage and that the steering wheel had become difficult to turn. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 160,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2010 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · MI

Abs and brake light comes on while driving.

Filed Dec 17, 2009 · Engine · 152,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet astro van. During brake application, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The current and failure mileages were 152000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Chevrolet Astro before you buy

Compare the 2001 Chevrolet Astro

Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Astro

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Astro reliable?

Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Astro, 1.5 times a typical Astro model year.

What is the 2001 Chevrolet Astro year score?

The 2001 Chevrolet Astro scores 62 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Astro: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Astro?

Brakes, with 34 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles. Next is lights (19).

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Astro have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What year does the Chevrolet Astro have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Astro model years with the most brakes complaints are 1995 (109 complaints), 1994 (97 complaints) and 1997 (67 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Astro get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Chevrolet Astro range from 15 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 20 highway.

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