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Research · Vans, Cargo Type

2002 Chevrolet AstroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 82 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Astro. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (22) and electrical system (17). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2006
Owner complaints
82
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MAY DEVELOP AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION IN THE STOP LAMP OR HAZARD LAMP CIRCUIT THAT RESULTS IN THE STOP LAMPS AND HAZARD LAMPS BEING INOPERATIVE.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 14, 2005NHTSA 05V099000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

82 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Oct 2022
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic22
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Steering9
  4. Seat belts8
  5. Power train7
  6. Vehicle speed control6
  7. Air bags6
  8. Tires5
  9. Exterior lighting5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Astro model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996272
1997366
1998259
1999140
2000186
200196
200282
200389
200414
20059
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

22 reports5 crashes1 fire
“ABS COMING ON AT VERY LOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT (UNDER 5MPH/8KMH). IT DOESN'T DO IT EVERY TIME, BUT QUITE OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, LIKE COMING TO A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR PARKING. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ABS COME ON AT SUCH LOW SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY NOT ON DRY PAVEMENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10432683

Electrical system

17 reports1 fire
“WHEN RAINING WIDSHIELD WIPERS DONT WORK AS DIRECTED, THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT. THEY STAY ON AFTER SHUTTING THEM OFF. AND DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY. WIPERS ALSO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF LINE OF SIFHT INTERMITTENTLY. NEVER WORKS CORRECTLY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2017Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11012920

Steering

9 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE CAR DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING, AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COME TO FIND OUT THE FUSE BOX WAS HOT AND THERE WAS A FEW FUSES THAT WERE BLOWN. I REPLACE THE BLOWN FUSES AND DROVE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VAN, I COULDN'T GET IT START I LOOKED AT THE SAME FUSE AND THEY WERE BLOWN AGAIN. THE VAN NOW SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY TILL I FIGURE THIS OUT. BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2014Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10619259
All 2002 Astro problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans, Cargo Type, Vans, Passenger Type
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Astro 2WD (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Astro 2WD (passenger)
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
Astro AWD (cargo)
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
Astro AWD (passenger)
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Astro as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4432
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Astro questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Astro have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Astro problems?

Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (22), electrical system (17), steering (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Chevrolet Astro get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Astro at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026