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2003 Chevrolet Astro Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Astro, most often about the brakes (40% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is 4th of 6 Astro model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Astro problems
Brakes
25 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, fluid, pedals and linkages.
Shudder and/or ABS activation during low speed turns, mainly to the left. Vehicle is an 03 Astro van AWD with 67k miles. Vehicle pulls pretty sharply left when this occurs.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Astro van. The contact stated that the brake pedal went all the way to the floor while making a left turn. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start when the vehicle was parked and the wheels were turned to the left. A mechanic looked under the vehicle and found that…
Electrical
10 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
2003 Chevrolet Astro van. Drove vehicle without incident on august 1, 2010. Monday morning august, 2, 2010 battery was dead (purchased new february 2010). Replaced with new battery on august 2, 2010. First connected the positive cable. Attempted to connect negative cable. Negative post terminal sparked and battery…
I have a 2003 chevy Astro. The problem started in january of 2005. The volts meter started dropping. I took it to phil smith Chevrolet in lauderhill, florida. They did an electric diagnostic and found the alternator and battery to be bad. I changed the alternator and battery on my own. Vehicle still had same problem…
Transmission
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Driveline vibration - 40 - 60 MPH can be felt in seat and floor - dealer has replaced tail shaft bushings on first visit (2 days) returned vehicle with same problem - dealer installed dampeners on rear differential housing and rear leaf springs. (5 days) problem still persist. Dealer has ordered a dampener for exhaust…
Thursday september 20, 2007 4:30 p.m. . Transmission failure, 200 miles from home in california. Driving on highway, heard roaring sound from engine, would not accelerate speed dropped. Exited freeway looking for mechanical help, none available. Overnight in campground. Next day to local repair shop for diagnosis of…
Suspension
8 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: front.
Recall 03v328000/lower ball joint boot interference. Consumer had recall repairs done. Whenever vehicle was backing up or making a turn a popping sound was heard while driving. Vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions, and problem recurred.
Front suspension issues, electrical gauges, replacement of fuel tank pump, door latches failing to open on sliding side door making exiting of vehicle impossible, recall of 02v328000 unable to be confirmed as handled by any dealers.
Steering
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, linkages, electric power assist system.
Dt: the contact stated while traveling between 50 - 55 MPH during normal driving condition the front two wheels began turning and the vehicle would not respond to steering input. The brakes were depressed however there was difficulting in stopping the vehicle due to the antilock brakes. The vehicle ending up in a six…
My wife and I were driving along when the brake system went completely out. We had just purchased the van about 4-5 months before it happened. I had the van looked at by james martin Chevrolet in detroit michigan. The repairs came up to $1400.00. The van only had about 40,000 miles on it.
Doors and locks
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: doors.
Dutch door locking mechinism failed at about 10000 miles. It was always hard to get the lock to engage on the right side of the hatch. It has now failed again and it will not unlock preventing US from using the cargo area behind the back seat. This is the second occurance of the lock failing
Engine
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
On september 9, 2005 my 2003 Chevrolet Astro van exploded and caught fire in a parking lot. The fire dept. Arrived and put out the fire; the firemen disconnected the battery cable. The van was towed to huffines Chevrolet in plano, tx. The cause of the incident according to the Chevrolet mechanics is as follows: 1)…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: storage.
While fueling my vehicle at a gas station, I pumped about $3.00 worth of gas into my 1/8 tank. After it reached $3.00 a loud hissing sound came from the filling neck of my van (not the actual gas station pump) and a large amount of gasoline sprayed me on the stomach and upper legs. There was no sign that this was…
Front suspension issues, electrical gauges, replacement of fuel tank pump, door latches failing to open on sliding side door making exiting of vehicle impossible, recall of 02v328000 unable to be confirmed as handled by any dealers.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Astro recalls
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The steering knuckle could separate from the lower control arm, dropping down the affected corner of the vehicle. The coil spring would push the control arm down into contact with the ground, creating a drag that would slow the vehicle. The driver could have difficulty in maintaining the directional control of the vehicle. In addition, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle if forces resulting from the wheel's dragging action were sufficient to fracture the tie rod end and upper ball joint connections. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel's hydrauli
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering knuckles. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 8, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans have an interference condition between the lower ball joint rubber boot and the steering knuckle (both left/right sides), which could result in cutting of the boot that is intended to seal the ball joint. If the lower ball joint boot were cut, contamination from the road (salt, dirt, water, etc.) could enter the ball socket area of the ball joint causing the joint to wear out too quickly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Astro
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Astro?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (25 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); transmission (8 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Astro have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 12, 2003 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Astro?
- It is 4th of 6 Astro model years by number of complaints, with 62 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.