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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 →

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

Equipment complaints

36 reports
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70,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

...FOR 3 YEARS CHEVROLET DEALERS TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ABS. THEN IN 2000, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE LABELED CAMPAIGN #C99046. ON 03/28/2000 TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. BILL STATES REPROGRAM PCM FOR NEW ANTILOCK PROGRAM ...CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TODAY, BECAUSE BRAKES FAILED TODAY THE SAME WAY TH…

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...FOR 3 YEARS CHEVROLET DEALERS TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ABS. THEN IN 2000, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE LABELED CAMPAIGN #C99046. ON 03/28/2000 TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. BILL STATES REPROGRAM PCM FOR NEW ANTILOCK PROGRAM ...CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TODAY, BECAUSE BRAKES FAILED TODAY THE SAME WAY THEY DID BEFORE REPAIR IN 2000. ...I EXPLAINED THE S10 HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP ON 03/28/2000, AS SOON AS I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, AND THAT IT APPEARED REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. ...I WAS ADVISED THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED 12/2002. WHEN I REITERATED THAT I HAD WORK DONE WITHIN PARAMETERS OF CAMPAIGN,BUT NOW SAME PROBLEM HAD REOCCURRED, I WAS ADVISED IT DIDN'T MATTER, THE CAMPAIGN ENDED 12/2002. ...WHEN I SARCASTICALLY SAID, SO IF I KILL SOMEONE ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW BECAUSE OF ABS FAILURE, YOU'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE? THE RESPONSE WAS: ONLY IF IT HAPPENED BEFORE 12/2002.

NHTSA ODI #10071117

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2003
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THEY RELEASE! AND I DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE NARROWLY MISSED OTHER CARS, AND HAVE HAD TO USE CURBS TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE OCCASIONS THAN THE ONE LISTED BELOW.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030832

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THE A/C STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY EVAPORATOR. THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSED DRIFT/PULL. ENGINE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE LEAKED. THE BALL JOINT FOR THE RIGHT-FRONT TIRE GAVE OUT. THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE OFF BY 5 MPH. …

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TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THE A/C STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY EVAPORATOR. THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSED DRIFT/PULL. ENGINE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE LEAKED. THE BALL JOINT FOR THE RIGHT-FRONT TIRE GAVE OUT. THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE OFF BY 5 MPH. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWN-POUR. THE DEVICE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020819

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2002
Equipment

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM THERE WAS A SLIGHT RISE IN THE ROAD(1/2 INCH), THE CABLE BROKE AT THAT SPOT. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8007928

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2001
Equipment

SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FATIGUED NEAR WHEEL RETAINER AND TIRE FELL FROM VEHICLE; THEFT DETERRENT CABLE KEPT TIRE FROM FALLING COMPLETELY AWAY AND CAUSED TIRE TO LIFT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OTHER THAN A BENT REAR LICENSE PLATE. I FEAR THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS O…

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SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FATIGUED NEAR WHEEL RETAINER AND TIRE FELL FROM VEHICLE; THEFT DETERRENT CABLE KEPT TIRE FROM FALLING COMPLETELY AWAY AND CAUSED TIRE TO LIFT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OTHER THAN A BENT REAR LICENSE PLATE. I FEAR THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OR IF THEFT DETERRENT CABLE IS NOT IN PLACE THE TIRE MAY FALL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR CAUSE A ROAD HAZARD. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM MY HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CABLE APPEARED TO BE FATIGUED AT THE POINT WHERE THE BREAK OCCURED. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO ASSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS PROCESSED. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754651

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Equipment

WHILE DRIVING SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, AND TIRE FLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY WHERE RIM WAS DAMAGED . MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #887537

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO DRIVE BELT SLIPPAGE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE ONTO THE CONNECTION TO RADIATOR RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #785397

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Equipment

WHEN ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED THE CABLE SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE DROPPED AND WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK, THE REAR BUMPER AND THE ROAD CAUSING THE REAR TIES OF MY TRUCK TO BE LIFTED FROM THE ROAD. THE CABLE WAS SHEARED IN SUCH FASHON AS TO INDICATE VIBRATION CAUSED IT TO BR…

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WHEN ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED THE CABLE SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE DROPPED AND WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK, THE REAR BUMPER AND THE ROAD CAUSING THE REAR TIES OF MY TRUCK TO BE LIFTED FROM THE ROAD. THE CABLE WAS SHEARED IN SUCH FASHON AS TO INDICATE VIBRATION CAUSED IT TO BREAK. HAS THIS HAPPENED AT ANY NORMAL DRIVING SPEED THE TIRE AND WHEEL WOULD HAVE BECOME POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROJECTILES AND THE I AM SURE THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE TURNED OVER. I WANT A BETTER MOUSETRAP UNDER MY TRUCK AND WILL NOT PUT THIS BACK WITHOUT A LOCK AND CHAIN AS A SECOND LINE OF SECURITY.

NHTSA ODI #733859

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Equipment

THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554904

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

FRONT WHEEL BEARING LEAKED FLUID CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554345

Official recalls

7

03V159000 · 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

4

EA99018 · 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.