Front Seat Recliner Problems of Chevrolet Astro

Chevrolet Astro owners have reported 4 problems related to front seat recliner (under the seats category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Chevrolet Astro based on all problems reported for the Astro.

1 Front Seat Recliner problem of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro

Failure Date: 06/06/2005

Vehicle involved 1997 Chevrolet Astro 1. Seat recliner was being used when the handle broke off. The seat remained in the position established when the handle broke. Started driving the van and suddenly the seat back went completely flat. The driver was able to hang on to the steering wheel and maintain control of the vehicle although the vehicle did wander into the left lane during the incident. 2. I investigated the failure and found the plastic handle was intact, however the metal pivot piece that engages the serrated locking plate failed. This pivot piece also contains the torsion spring that locks the plate when the handle is not being actuated. The design is not intrinsicly safe in that the locking plate is pushed upward by the spring to secure the seat. As long as there is pressure on the seat the mechanism will stay engaged. Without a load on the seat, the locking plate can drop free due to gravity and the seat will recline backward to the full flat position. Examination of the pivot piece appears to show a crack started where the spring is secured and the crack propogated through the piece due to fatique and vibration until failure occurred. 3. The seat was locked into a permanent position using high strength fasteners and existing holes in the seat frame. Additionally, the locking plate was engaged and also pinned into place to further secure the seat. The reclining feature of the seat is no longer functional. I retained the broken adjustment handle with pivot piece.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro 🔎.

2 Front Seat Recliner problem of the 1999 Chevrolet Astro

Failure Date: 07/03/2000

In rear end accident driver seat flexed forward, causing him to injure his back, and neck.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Astro 🔎.

3 Front Seat Recliner problem of the 1997 Chevrolet Astro

Failure Date: 06/29/1997

Slowed down for traffic on interstate; vehicle stopped; semi rearended vehicle #2 & that vehicle rearended Astro, causing driver's seat to collapse backwards; view was obstructed; took to mechanic & noticed bolts sheared off & pulled out of threads; have parts.

4 Front Seat Recliner problem of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro

Failure Date: 06/01/1996

Set latch failed.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Astro 🔎.


Other Common Seats related problems of Chevrolet Astro

Problem Category Number of Problems
Seats problems
5
Front Seat Recliner problems
4
Mid/rear Seats Assembly problems
1
Front Seat Power Adjust problems
1


Fuel Economy of Astro Vehicles
Astro Service Bulletins
Astro Safety Recalls
Astro Defect Investigations