Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Chevrolet Astro, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 53 | 34% |
| Suspension | 14 | 9% |
| Steering | 14 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 9% |
| Power train | 12 | 8% |
| Seats | 6 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WAS DRIVING AND A TRUCK PULLED OUT OF DRIVE WAY IN FRONT OF ME. HIT THE BRAKES AND THEY WORKED FOR A SPLIT SECOND BUT THEN WENT OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THAT THEY BRAKE TIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTINUES TO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 - 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHILE MAKING A TURN; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LEAKING FLUID BEH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET ASTRO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ABS WOULD NOT WORK AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BRAKING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. HE PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR HIS VEHICLE 11/24/06. ON 04/15/07, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHEN THE CONSUMER UNLATCHED THE HARNESS BUCKLE THE SHIELD CAME UP TOO FAST. ONE TIME THE SPRING BROKE AND THE SHIELD WOULD NOT STAY ATTACHED. *NM *SC
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
THE TORSION BAR ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PRPOBLEM WAS NOT A RECALL, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE TORSION BAR BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE LEFT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1992 Chevrolet Astro. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PR
Risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.
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 CE
Risk: 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.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 53 of them (34%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.