Chevrolet Astro sudden acceleration problems

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Acceleration · 103,412 miles · MD

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. I then discovered that fuse number 18 was labeled "vcm-ign 3, vcm-brake, 4wal, cruise stepper motor signal". Upon removing this fuse, I was able to start the engine, and it remained in normal parameters. I did notice that the antilock light was on, but believe this is related to the vcm-brake label on the circuit breaker. I was then able to continue driving the vehicle home, and will be contacting the repair shop to disable/remove the cruise stepper motor, as I refuse to chance another unintended acceleration event.

Filed Jan 6, 2009 · Brakes · NY

2003 chevrolet astro with brake problems. Consumer states that gm will not reimburse her for the repairs made on her vehicle. *kb the consumer stated while braking at low speeds, the vehicle lunged forward. Also, the ABS light illuminated. The consumer had to pay to have the sensors replaced.

Filed Dec 25, 2005 · Electrical · 133,000 miles · IN

My wife was traveling southbound on route 41 in princeton, indiana, at approximately 55 - 60 m.p.h. Unexpectedly, and without her command, the cruise control engaged itself and forced the vehicle to accelerate rapidly. Please note that she was not utilizing the cruise control function at the time. Applying the brakes did not have the effect of disengaging the cruise control. Driver was fighting the force of the drive train unintended acceleration with full brake force, but the vehicle would not come to a safe stop. Finally, my wife had the presence of mind to put the vehicle in neutral to disengage power to the rear drive wheels. She activated the parking brake and the primary brakes to stop the vehicle. Once fully stopped at the side of the road, she called me at work for assistance. We had the vehicle taken to a repair shop and were informed that the cruise control module on the engine firewall had malfunctioned. The technician unplugged the electrical connectors to the module to permanently disable it.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · CA

Consumer complained about a sudden acceleration problem. This problem occurred intermittently and with or without the air conditioning being on. Dealership tried to resolve the problem. However the problem recurred. *ak

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · WA · crash · 3 injuries

While driving 40 MPH vehicle stalled. Then, vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer applied the brakes, but they were inoperative. This caused the vehicle to crash into a tree. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver and two passengers sustained major injuries, and were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was towed to a garage.

Filed Feb 20, 2004 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · LA

Vehicle accelerated on its own. It did not matter at what speed vehicle was being driven. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and dealer could not resolve the problem.

Filed Mar 18, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · TX · crash

The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, which resulted in an accident. Also the sliding door, slammed shut when entering or exiting the vehicle if the front of the vehicle was on an incline. *ak

Filed Aug 16, 2002 · Brakes · MN

At 29,000 miles the front brake rotors, bearings and pads had to be replaced. When I complained that this was low miles for brakes to fail, the manager said the brakes go out early on this model because the back brakes were not so good since the self adjusting was not reliable. I wrote twice to gm asking for clarification. I spoke to the manager;s boss who said I would replace brakes every 30,000 miles because the brakes were light for the van weight. Now at about 43,000 I am again having brake problems. Seems wrong to me. Item 2 -at 35,425 miles I reported when the van was in for service that I push the gas pedal down and the van just did not want to go. Then if you held the pedal down after a bit, the van would jump forward because it suddenly got gas. This was bad when anything was around close because of the sudden acceleration. The shop said they would replace a part under warranty. I think it was called a throttle body, but I am not sure. They repalced nothing. They cleaned the throttlebody plate. The problem is now more noticable. From discussion with other people, it seems this lack of going as you put the pedal down, and then the surging ahead is happening to many people. This comes from an internet car problem chat site.

Filed Apr 10, 2002 · Acceleration · AZ

Vehicle suddenly accelerates beyod 60 MPH unexpectedly. Dealer calls it safety problem, but will not work on an intermittent problem.

Filed Jan 14, 2002 · Acceleration, Brakes · MI · crash

While driving in reverse and backing out of a driveway, brake system failed unexpectedly (odi reference: 8002090), and accelerator stuck, causing sudden acceleration. Vehicle crashed into an electrical box and knocked out a transformer. On 20-dec-2001, dealership had cleaned throttle because of a hesitation with accelerator pedal. Please provide any additional information / documentation.