Faults:

- Noisy steering wheel bushing - not necessary to fix this, never have.

- Door switches - annoying as they control interior lights, locks, etc.

- Wiper control board.

No failure has been unexpected, because of high mileage and age.

Done as maintenance or break/fix:

- Brakes, AC, radiator, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, heater switch, catalytic converter, one hub, window motors.

General Comments:

Probably best vehicle I have owned from a practicality standpoint. Engine and transmission are very rugged. It runs and shifts extremely well after 18 years.

Systems are simple, and working on it is not challenging from a design standpoint, but because it is a van, many items are extremely difficult to get tools and hands on. If you can do that it is very economical to own this vehicle.

It is very safe. It is a large van, more like a truck.

Faults:

Typical maintenance items:

Belts, hoses replaced.

A/C rebuilt.

Brake jobs.

Fuel pump.

General Comments:

Astros are large truck-based minivans. They are very solid from a mechanical point of view - the basic engine and transmission are proven technology. The actual safety data (real world driving statistics) show it is one of the safest vehicles on the road.

These vans are pretty hard to work on due to the cramped engine compartment. That is the worst thing about owning them.

For basic, maybe boring(?) transportation of a group of people, these are hard to beat.

Faults:

During the first month I owned it, a rubber boot had to be replaced on one of the front drives.

General Comments:

I have the AWD option with the tow package and the 373 gears. I just got back from vacation where I towed my travel trailer approx 1000 miles. This trailer weighs about 5000 lbs when loaded, mine was loaded. The Astro was up to the job of towing my trailer through the Adirondacks Mts in New York State with no issues. Not bad for a 6 cylinder, although there were many a few time I wished I had another 100 hp/ 100 lbs torque.

This van is great in the snow. The dual a/c is great and this is a nice vehicle for a family of 5.