Faults:

Front steering linkage went bad at 60,000 miles. They replaced idler arms with metal bushings which did the trick.

Fuel injection system went bad 3 times so far. Once under warranty, once they split the cost with me ($1800 for the repair), and once for free because it was last repaired by a "mr good wrench" mechanic and those repairs are warranted for life. Luky me...

Wiper motor went bad at 70,000. There was recently a recall which covered the repair cost.

EGI valve went out twice - there was a reimbursement for the repair costs. Apparently this failure is common.

Spark plug wires have died twice. They are to close to the exhaust manifold and burn up. One mechanic wanted $500 to change the wires, I replaced them myself taking 6 hours and skinned knuckles to do the job.

Front torsion bars broke at 100,000 miles I replaced then with a new type of torsion bar. ($500 of parts & 12 hours of labor).

Alternator went out at 100,000 miles. no big surprise.

If all repairs would have not been covered by Chevy and done by a mechanic - repair costs would be $11,000. As it stands, Chevy's good will and my own labor have kept it down to $2,000.

General Comments:

I really like driving this van. It drives like a Sherman tank in the mud and snow of Minnesota.

It was wise of me to put mud flaps on all 4 wheel wells. That has kept the car rust free for the first 9 years of use.

I have the urge to buy this van again for my next vehicle, but I stop when I think about the number of repairs.

Faults:

Brake booster failed about five years ago. Approximately $750 Canadian parts and labor to repair at the time.

Some plastic interior trim pieces broke within the first two years of ownership. Not an issue since then.

Windshield wipers intermittently stop working. This problem first appeared about eighteen months ago. Bad leads on the pulse module is likely the culprit.

General Comments:

Good long haul cruiser.

Bucket seats are surprisingly comfortable.

Very versatile. Room for eight (six ideally) with both bench seats installed. An enormous amount of cargo room when the bench seats are removed.

Good trailer towing vehicle even without the factory towing package.

Generally a problem-free reliable vehicle.

Rock solid drive train (e.g. engine, transmission, rear axle).

The Astro has a truck-like personality, not that of car-like minivans.

Handling and steering response is adequate at best.

Faults:

Back door handle had to be replaced.

Radio/tape player stopped working. Turned out to be a short. At the same time the wind shield wipper moter stopped working.

Sliding van door has came off the tracks twice.

Alternator had to be replaced.

Fan motor for heater/air conditioning stopped working. Another short.

General Comments:

My wife loves her van, That's because she doesn't have to fix it.

I do like the roominess and the power. We can easily carry our three kids and some extra friends to ball games and church. It climbs hills with ease and there is plenty of power for passing.

However, there are several things I don't like about it.

Since there is no trunk, when you put on the brakes every thing on the floor comes flying up front.

You have to twist your arm in a uncomfortable position to roll up the windows.

The back window is always dirty. Whenever we take it on a trip, 100 miles down the road you can't see out of it.

The stub nose design makes it seem you're too close to the road. A head-on collision will kill the front occupants