1987 Chevrolet Astro
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Chevrolet Astro is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1987 Chevrolet Astro at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Chevrolet Astro recalls 5
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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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 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 C…
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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT AND MID-SHIP SEATS DID NOT REST ON PELVIS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Fix: RELOCATE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO ADJUST BELTS FOR SEAT LOCATIONS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1987 Chevrolet Astro common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Chevrolet Astro MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 7 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1987 Chevrolet Astro costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 9
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE Closed
NHTSA #EA92022 · Seats · opened Jun 1992 · closed Nov 1993DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE92015 · Seats · opened Feb 1992 · closed Jun 1992POWER STEERING FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA90023 · Steering · opened Apr 1990 · closed Apr 1991SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE90039 · Suspension · opened Feb 1990 · closed Jun 1990POWER STEERING FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE90028 · Steering · opened Dec 1989 · closed Apr 1990HORN FAILURE Closed
SUMMARY: THE HORN FAILS TO SOUND WHEN ACTIVATED. GENERAL MOTORSTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBES A FAULTY HORN CONDITIONCAUSED BY A POOR GROUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN.===
NHTSA #PE89109 · opened Apr 1989 · closed Jun 1989REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE Closed
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NHTSA #PE89106 · Suspension · opened Mar 1989 · closed Sep 1989REAR A/C UNIT Closed
NHTSA #EA88039 · Visibility · opened Sep 1988 · closed Oct 1989FIRES IN REAR A/C Closed
NHTSA #PE88055 · opened May 1988 · closed Sep 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR DOES NOT FIT. *TT
Bulletin 01667 · Visibility · Jan 2004Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ASTRO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Chevrolet Astro. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS WITH KNOB TYPE RECLINER MECHANISMS, A FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK. THIS MAY ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: RECLINER BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1993153 · Nov 1993Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Chevrolet Astro
The Chevrolet Astro is a minivan that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of American auto manufacturer General Motors from 1985 to 2005. Sold alongside the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in multiple configurations, including passenger van and cargo van.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.