1996 Chevrolet Astro Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1996 Chevrolet Astro, and owners have filed 263 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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Warning light/devices (seat belts)
Vehicle description: MINI vans. Some of these vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the "fasten safety-belt" audible warning occasionally may not come on or may terminate in less than four seconds as required by the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new alarm module. Owner notification began june 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
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Child seat
Vehicle description: MINI vans equipped with integrated dual child seats. Some of these vehicles may be missing a seat belt retractor clutch spring and/or pawl spring in the child seat. If the clutch spring was missing, the seat belt would lock in the retracted position and could not be used. If the pawl spring was missing, the seat…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belts on the child seats, and if necessary, replace the child seat.
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Seat belts: rear/other
The outboard safety belt webbing on the right-hand rear bucket seat can separate during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protector on the rear seat cushion frame.
263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro have filed 263 complaints with NHTSA; 17 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 12 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 108,153 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 62 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Pin holes in steel brake lines causing complete brake failure. Fortunately vehicle was sitting when brake petal was applied for starting. When pressing brake to start vehicle, petal went completely to”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 26, 2015 · Service brakes
“I just got home & was backing around to where i park when the brake pedal started vibrating. I did manage to park. The next day the vibrating stopped when a grating noise was made. Suddenly the brake”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 2, 2013 · Service brakes
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro Passenger (Astro 2WD (passenger), Astro AWD (passenger)). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 14–15 / 17–19 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Vans |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 4.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Astro model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Astro model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 1 |
| 1985 Chevrolet Astro | 3 | 5 |
| 1986 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 23 |
| 1987 Chevrolet Astro | 2 | 29 |
| 1988 Chevrolet Astro | 2 | 56 |
| 1989 Chevrolet Astro | 3 | 57 |
| 1990 Chevrolet Astro | 4 | 68 |
| 1991 Chevrolet Astro | 3 | 95 |
| 1992 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 132 |
| 1993 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 135 |
| 1994 Chevrolet Astro | 2 | 328 |
| 1995 Chevrolet Astro | 3 | 446 |
| 1996 Chevrolet Astro | 4 | 263 |
| 1997 Chevrolet Astro | 4 | 360 |
| 1998 Chevrolet Astro | 3 | 241 |
| 1999 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 133 |
| 2000 Chevrolet Astro | 0 | 175 |
| 2001 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 91 |
| 2002 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 70 |
| 2003 Chevrolet Astro | 1 | 62 |
| 2004 Chevrolet Astro | 0 | 14 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Astro | 0 | 9 |
Checking a specific 1996 Chevrolet Astro
How do I know if my 1996 Chevrolet Astro has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1996 Chevrolet Astro; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 01V123000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.