Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Astro, and it carries 2 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 | 41 | 20% |
| Tires | 20 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 8% |
| Power train | 14 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 5% |
| Steering | 10 | 5% |
| Air bags | 10 | 5% |
| Structure | 8 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 CHEVY ASTRO THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND NO BRAKES. HAPPENED TO ME IN TWO WEEKS. LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I ENTERED A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH AND SLOWED TO 5 MPH AND TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TRIED TO STOP. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND I CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE NEXT TO ME. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE PARKED OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
HI, I WAS DRIVING THIS VAN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPS. I HAD A VERY HARD PROBLEM OF TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING. I HAD IT TOWED INTO SERVICE. THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING FUEL PUMP, SENDING UNIT,
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT WHILE PARKING THE CAR. BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR CAR KEPT MOVING IT SEEM TO WANT TO ACCELERATE. IT HIT THE OPPOSING PARKED VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. MECHANIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
OEM CARPET COVERING THE INTERIOR ENGINE COWLING IS CURLING UP, CAUSING IT TO INTERFERE WITH THE TRAVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL. GAS PEDAL CANNOT COME BACK TO ITS RESTING POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN BRAKING ON ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT MAKING IT DI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 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 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 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 | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 201 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 41 of them (20%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. 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.