IllustrationHEAD GASKET FAILED AT 51300 MILE ON VEHICLE, CAUSING COOLING SYSTEM OF VEHICLE TO DRAIN. REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $525. FAILURE SEEMS UNUSUAL AT THIS MILEAGE. *AK
1996 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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: 34 of 665 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 209 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
110 crash reports11 fire reports50 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
70 reportsCOOLENT LEAK WAS ON PASSENGER SIDE, REAR OF ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT LEAK COULD GO INTO AN OIL PORT AND CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. *AK
VEHICLE SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, IT MAY NOT EVEN START. DEALER HAS CHECKED VEHICLE OUT, AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY HAVE RUN TESTED THE VEHICLE, BUT RESULT WAS NEGATIVE. *AK
ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I BROUGHT OUR 1996 CHEVROLET S10 PICK UP IN TO ROUNDTREE CHEVROLET FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A LOT OF 2.2 LITRE ENGINES (AS WELL AS SOME BIG BLOCKS)WERE DOING THE SAME THING BECAUSE THE FACTORY MADE THE PISTONS TAPERED WHICH W…
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ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I BROUGHT OUR 1996 CHEVROLET S10 PICK UP IN TO ROUNDTREE CHEVROLET FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A LOT OF 2.2 LITRE ENGINES (AS WELL AS SOME BIG BLOCKS)WERE DOING THE SAME THING BECAUSE THE FACTORY MADE THE PISTONS TAPERED WHICH WEARS OUT THE SKIRTING. THEIS PROBLEM SEEMS CLEAR CUT ENOUGH (A FACTORY DEFECT), BUT AS SOON AS ROUNDTREE SAW THAT WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THEY IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY. THEY WANT OUR SERVICE RECORDS BEFORE THEY AUTHORIZE ROUNDTREE TO CONTINUE. WAL-MART SUPPOSEDLY KEEPS YOUR OIL CHANGE RECORDS SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO. WELL, WE TOOK THE TRUCK THERE EVERY 3000 MILES, BUT THEY CAN'T LOCATE ANY! THEY HAVE GIVEN ROUNDTREE A VERBAL CONFIRMATION, BUT APPARENTLY THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. WE DON'T FEEL WE SHOULD MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT, AND WE TOLD G.M.A.C. THAT THEY COULD JUST KEEP IT! NOW WHAT DO WE DO? *AK
FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED. MJS
HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM THE BEGINNING. I WOULD BE DRIVING IN POURING-DOWN RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD GO OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER. RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO WORK ON MY BRAKES THE FIRST YEAR AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THEREAFTER. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY AIR-CONDITIONER DONE. T…
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HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM THE BEGINNING. I WOULD BE DRIVING IN POURING-DOWN RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD GO OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER. RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO WORK ON MY BRAKES THE FIRST YEAR AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THEREAFTER. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY AIR-CONDITIONER DONE. THE LATEST WAS MY WATER PUMP THAT I FIXED MYSELF. THE WORSE WAS MY MOTOR. I HAD BEEN STALLED A NUMBER OF TIMES TILL FINALLY IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MICHAEL HOLLEY CHEVROLET IN LAKELAND (THE TOWN I WORKED IN). THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY SMARTCARE SAYING I HAD NOT CHANGED THE OIL. THAT WAS NOT TRUE SINCE I HAD CHANGED IT MYSELF AND HAD IT CHANGED ALSO. THEY WANTED OVER 3000 FOR A NEW MOTOR. I AM AND WAS STILL PAYING ON MY TRUCK AND DID NOT HAVE THAT MUCH CASH. I HAD TO TOW IT AT MY MOTHERS AND PARK IT. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT THE CHEVROLET DEALERS HAD REMOVED THE ALTERNATOR BELT AND HAD LEFT IT LOOSE. THAT DID NOT GIVE ME ANY CONFIDENCE IN THEM. 4 MONTHS LATER MY MOTHER'S CAR WAS TOTALLED AND SHE PAID FOR ME TO GET A MOTOR FROM AN AMOCO DEALER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1999 MY MOTHER WAS SURFING THE NET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE ALMOST FROM THE FIRST AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED AT ALL. I WROTE TO THE HOME OFFICE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I STILL OWE 2 YEARS PAYMENTS. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY MOTOR WENT OUT ON ME SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE VERY WELL HAPPENED. I FEEL SURE THAT I WILL NEVER TRUST IN CHEVY'S PRODUCTS AGAIN.
CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YC
RADIATOR RUST OUT, AND THE RUST SPREAD IN THE ENTIRE ENGINE. *AK
VEHICLE RIDES GREAT. JUST STAYS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN ON THE ROAD! NO SAFETY DEFECT INDICATED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
FUEL INJECTION FAILED.
Official recalls
703V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
99V193000 · 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.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
97V146001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 11, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
97V008001 · Visibility:windshield
Jan 27, 1997
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
96V035000 · Power Train:manual Transmission
Feb 22, 1996
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
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
4EA99018 · 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
EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
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.