The 1986 Chevrolet Astro has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 604,207 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seats. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS93V1870001993-11-16604,207 affected
Defect
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Consequence
IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
Complaints by component
SEATS
3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
3
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
SEAT BELTS
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints24
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The rear brakes will not work. While driving between 30-45 mph and wanting to come to a complete stop, have to pump the brakes at least 3 or 4 times before they work. Consumer has taken to a mechanic, and they tried to correct the problem. Consumer also has contacted the dealer, and they are aware…”
“While the ignition was turned off and parked in a parking lot, transmission slipped out of gear and the vehicle rolled back and hit other vehicles which could have caused a serious accident without prior warning. Dealer cannot determine the problem. *ak”
“Passenger side wheel of trailer overheated, causing fire. (ohio state police report)”
“The rear brakes will not self adjust and all the braking is all on the front brakes, causing the van to fishtail, not stop at all on some road surfaces. *ak”
“During a front impact accident. The middle and rear bench seats. The latches disconnected and caused the seats to fold.*ak”
“The steering wheel just falls down while driving and causes momentary loss of control of the van. Please describe. *ak”
“Consumer received a recall notice contacted the dealer, the dealer did not repair the recall. *ak”
“The driver's automatic seat belt is stuck and the consumer had to cut the seat belt in order to get out along with others. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA87009 Opened 1987-01-21 · closed 1988-08-16
REAR BRAKES
ANALYSIS: THE PROPOSED GM CHANGES SHOULD REDUCE THE FRONT-BIAS IN THEREAR BRAKE SYSTEM.HOWEVER THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT GM WILL RETROFITTHE 1985 AND 1986 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEMMAY NOT LIE IN THE BRAKE BIASING SYSTEM, BUT RATHER IN MALFUNCTIONINGOR IMPROPERLY DESIGNED REAR BRAKE…
InvestigationEA92022 Opened 1992-06-24 · closed 1993-11-19
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE86053 Opened 1986-05-01 · closed 1987-01-20
INADEQUATE REAR BRAKES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:NO TSB'S OR RECALLS HAVE BEENISSUED ON THIS MATTER.THE 1985 CAMIP PHASE II SURVEY RATED THE GM M-VANBRAKE EFFECTIVENESS LOWEST AMONG VEHICLE LINES TESTED.IN RESPONSE TO THECONCERN OF VAN OWNERS, CHANGES IN THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER DIAMETER AND THEPROPORTIONING VALVE WERE…
InvestigationPE89106 Opened 1989-03-23 · closed 1989-09-19
REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE
===
InvestigationPE90039 Opened 1990-02-05 · closed 1990-06-29
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE92015 Opened 1992-02-04 · closed 1992-06-24
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Astro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.