6.5% of complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Astro came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (22 complaints), typically at 3.8 yr or about 50,000 miles.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
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
DT*:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING IN A PARKING LOT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO DEPRESS. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE A NOISE CAME FROM THE ABS. THE NOISE CEASED AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY RAN THE VIN TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. IT WAS ALSO SEEN BY A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AT 15MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ROTORS HAD RUSTED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING IN SALT BELT STATE. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES NORMALLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROTORS WERE MADE WITH INFERIOR METAL. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20MPH OR LESS, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITH AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.