The 1989 Chevrolet Astro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 609,234 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. 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.
SEAT BELTS91V1640001991-09-204,842 affected
Defect
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BAR FOR REAR SOFA FAILED TO SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy
REPLACE NONCOMPLYING SOFA BAR WITH BAR THAT MEETS REQUIREMENTS.
SEAT BELTS91V1020001991-06-14185 affected
Defect
THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT AND MID-SHIP SEATS DID NOT REST ON PELVIS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Consequence
SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN SEAT OCCUPANT, AND COULDINJURE THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
RELOCATE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO ADJUST BELTS FOR SEAT LOCATIONS.
Complaints by component
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
5
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
SEATS
3
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
1fires
Total complaints70
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Rusted metal brake line from the oe brake line splice forward of the fuel tank to the line splitter at the rear axel allowed brake fluid to leak. As the line was removed to replace, seepage on the rusted line to the left brake from the splitter was observed. As a precaution, the right rear line…”
“The first failure occurred while pulling into the parking space at my place of employment. The power steering bracket, or brace, gm part # 10045287 6.006 broke and the power steering unit, belt, and other items became inoperative. The vehicle was still under factory warranty and the dealer towed…”
“Brakes went out and started on fire. Baffles on engine exhaust rusted out and layed on frame touching starter motor electrical contacts which started brake fluid on fire from other side of vehicle. Brake line had rusted through approximately same time as baffle rusted out. Master cylinder was…”
“Brakes went out and started on fire. Baffles on engine exhaust rusted out and layed on frame touching starter motor electrical contacts which started brake fluid on fire from other side of vehicle. Brake line had rusted through approximately same time as baffle rusted out. Master cylinder was…”
“Brakes went out and started on fire. Baffles on engine exhaust rusted out and layed on frame touching starter motor electrical contacts which started brake fluid on fire from other side of vehicle. Brake line had rusted through approximately same time as baffle rusted out. Master cylinder was…”
“This is the fourth power steering pump we have put on the vehicle in a year.*ak”
“Drivers side seat, right power seat mount is broken. In the event of a crash seat will not be retained. Search for a replacement indicated that other like vehicles are also suffering cracks in the same part. The failure of the part will cause the seat to no longer support the driver in the event…”
“These tires were purchased as replacements to the original . I was travling southbound on hwy 99 when the tread came off of the tire. I was at approximately 60 mph. And fortunately was able to control the skid and slide enough to get stopped in the center divider of the hwy. The tire did not…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92022 Opened 1992-06-24 · closed 1993-11-19
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Astro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.