IllustrationTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH IT'S WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 150 000. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
1994 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S10 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 40 of 963 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 520 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 239 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
121 crash reports7 fire reports30 injury reports
What owners actually said
963 reportsWHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *JB....THE FIST NOTICE OF IMPENDING FAILURE WAS VERY SLOWLY SINKING BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. AS MORE STOPS WERE MADE THE RATE OF THE PEDAL SINKING BECAME FASTER. CUPS IN THE MASTE CYLINDE…
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WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *JB....THE FIST NOTICE OF IMPENDING FAILURE WAS VERY SLOWLY SINKING BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. AS MORE STOPS WERE MADE THE RATE OF THE PEDAL SINKING BECAME FASTER. CUPS IN THE MASTE CYLINDER WERE LETTING BRAKE FLUID LEAK BY THEM. NEW MASTER CYLINDERS DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK
BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PEDAL IS DOWN TO FLOOR FOR BRAKING. BRAKE SHOES ARE NEW. NO AIR IN LINE. *NLM
THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE WHILE I WAS GETTING ON TO THE FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY I HAD A CHAIN AND LOCK ON IT TO PREVENT THEFT AND IT ALSO PREVENTED DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AND THE CAR FOLLOWING ME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM AND YOUR LAST INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED IN 1999 WITH NO RECALL. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. DOES …
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THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE WHILE I WAS GETTING ON TO THE FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY I HAD A CHAIN AND LOCK ON IT TO PREVENT THEFT AND IT ALSO PREVENTED DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AND THE CAR FOLLOWING ME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM AND YOUR LAST INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED IN 1999 WITH NO RECALL. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE GM RECALLS THIS PROBLEM OR WILL THEY CONTINUE MAKING MONEY SELLING THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR ALMOST $70 AND NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN?*JB
EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS ATTACHED TO VEHICLE WITH INSUFFICIENTLY STRONG MATERIALS THAT TEND TO BREAK DURING TEMPERATURE SWINGS OR THROUGH APPLICATION OF LIGHT FORCE. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BROKE IN AUGUST OF 2001 OF UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR BROKE ON MARCH 1 2003 DURING A CAR WASH. INSPECTION OF MIRROR AN…
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EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS ATTACHED TO VEHICLE WITH INSUFFICIENTLY STRONG MATERIALS THAT TEND TO BREAK DURING TEMPERATURE SWINGS OR THROUGH APPLICATION OF LIGHT FORCE. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BROKE IN AUGUST OF 2001 OF UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR BROKE ON MARCH 1 2003 DURING A CAR WASH. INSPECTION OF MIRROR AND DOOR SHOWED PLASTIC HOUSING WAS CRACKED AND BOLTS WERE SHORN OFF. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEY USUALLY STOP WORKING WHEN MOST NEEDED, USUALLY DURING PERIODS OF RAIN.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR MODULE. WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO PARTS STORE, THE LOCAL DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT, AND A DEALER TECHNICIAN THAT THE ORIGINAL CIRCUIT BOARD WAS DEFECTIVE ON THE S-10, AND THE FULL-SIZE PICKUP, FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V150001. I ACCIDENTALLY CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND FOUND THIS CAMPAIGN NOTICE FOR 1995 CHEVROLET S-10 MODEL PICK UPS AND NEWER. I OWN A 1994 S-10 AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. DID NHTSA LOOK AT THE 1994 MODELS SINCE THEY ARE THE SAME BODY STYLES? I'M SURE OTHER 1994 OWNE…
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THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V150001. I ACCIDENTALLY CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND FOUND THIS CAMPAIGN NOTICE FOR 1995 CHEVROLET S-10 MODEL PICK UPS AND NEWER. I OWN A 1994 S-10 AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. DID NHTSA LOOK AT THE 1994 MODELS SINCE THEY ARE THE SAME BODY STYLES? I'M SURE OTHER 1994 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THANKS
OIL LINES BLEW TO THE REMOTE OIL FILTER AND I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WITHIN 15 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE STILL SEIZED.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELT AN AWFUL SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE SMELL, WAS DUE TO THE AIR COOLER LINE COMING DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK OUT, AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. …
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WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELT AN AWFUL SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE SMELL, WAS DUE TO THE AIR COOLER LINE COMING DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK OUT, AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Official recalls
599V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
96V195000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Oct 8, 1996
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
94V228000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 21, 1994
A VACUUM HOSE CAN DETACH FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE BACKFIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED ENGINE IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AFTER DEPLETION OF THE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CLAMP ON THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSIST.
94V014000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jan 26, 1994
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND THE VENT TUBE DURING A TEST. THE LOSS OF FUEL WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, IT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES AND THE VENT TUBE TO CRACK. IF THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED, FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THESE VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA99018 · Spare Tire Separation From Vehicle
Opened Jun 30, 1999 · Closed Oct 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
No summary supplied.
PE99004 · Separation Of Spare Tire From Vehicle
Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Jun 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
ALLEGED THAT WIRE CABLE/WINCH ASSEMBLY WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY UDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION
PE96048 · Loss Of Steering Control
Opened Jul 19, 1996 · Closed Nov 13, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
lower clamp of the steering linkage intershaft may separate fro steering gear shaft due to disengagement of clamp bolt and/or improper fit of the lower clamp with the steering shaft.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
PE94046 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Jun 17, 1994 · Closed Oct 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available