IllustrationVEHICLE FIRE DUE TO TRANSFER CASE FLUID BEING EXPELLED FROM VENT HOSE ONTO THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS THE THIRD FIRE IN 1995 AND 1996 S-SERIES GM TRUCKS I HAVE INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ORIGIN OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *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
Power Train complaints
66 reportsCHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TRAVELING OVER 1 MILE DISTANCE, CAUSING VERY ROUGH SHIFING OF GEARS (AT)-(EVEN CAUSES REAR WHEELS TO SCREECH WHEN TAKING OFF AND ALSO SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR). OIL PRESSURE GAUGE GOES UP WITH ACCELERATION, DOWN TO 0 WHEN DECELERATING-2 ATTEMPTS TO FIX, NEITHER SHOP COULD FIND CAUSE FOR FAILURE. TR…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TRAVELING OVER 1 MILE DISTANCE, CAUSING VERY ROUGH SHIFING OF GEARS (AT)-(EVEN CAUSES REAR WHEELS TO SCREECH WHEN TAKING OFF AND ALSO SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR). OIL PRESSURE GAUGE GOES UP WITH ACCELERATION, DOWN TO 0 WHEN DECELERATING-2 ATTEMPTS TO FIX, NEITHER SHOP COULD FIND CAUSE FOR FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FLUID IS RUSTY AS IS THE FLUID INDICATOR AREA, REQUIRES EXTENSIVE/COSTLY REPAIR. INTERIOR PANELS SQUEAK. VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY. RUSTY DRIVER FRONT DRIVER SIDE BLINKER. ABS BREAKS DO NOT QUICKLY STOP VEHICLE AND VIBRATE ROUGHLY & LOUDLY WHEN IN USE-I'VE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS!
TRANMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, UNLESS YOU GO VERY SLOW. *AK
OIL COOLER LINE: THE METAL TUBING IN THE LOWER OIL COOLED LINE REST ON TOP OF THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. A HOLE WORE THROUGH THE TUBING DUE TO BEING IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE GEAR BOX CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF BRAKING ON DRIVER SIDE (DUE TO OIL SPRAY ON BRAKE ROTOR) AND NEAR SEIZURE OF ENGINE…
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OIL COOLER LINE: THE METAL TUBING IN THE LOWER OIL COOLED LINE REST ON TOP OF THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. A HOLE WORE THROUGH THE TUBING DUE TO BEING IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE GEAR BOX CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF BRAKING ON DRIVER SIDE (DUE TO OIL SPRAY ON BRAKE ROTOR) AND NEAR SEIZURE OF ENGINE. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO PREVENT MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS OF THIS WRITING I AM STILL NOT AWARE IF ANY OCCURRED (ENGINE DAMAGE).*AK
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 61,000 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @65 MILES PER HOUR, JUST QUIT ON THE HIGHWAY, GMC WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND IT, TRANSMISSION SHOP REBUILT IT AND FOUND A CRACK IN THE CASE DUE TO IT NOT COOLING PROPERLY, HAD TO PUT A LARGER COOLER UNIT IN THE TRUCK TO HANDLE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS TRUCK. TIMING BELT WENT W…
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TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 61,000 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @65 MILES PER HOUR, JUST QUIT ON THE HIGHWAY, GMC WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND IT, TRANSMISSION SHOP REBUILT IT AND FOUND A CRACK IN THE CASE DUE TO IT NOT COOLING PROPERLY, HAD TO PUT A LARGER COOLER UNIT IN THE TRUCK TO HANDLE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS TRUCK. TIMING BELT WENT WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @65 MILES PER HOUR, EVERYTHING LOCKED UP ON THE TRUCK POWER STEERING, BRAKES AND JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. BOTH SITUATIONS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
WHILE ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK UP, AND WILL GRAB REAR WHEEL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
CONSUMER WAS PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE, AND SCREW TO SHIFT LEVER POPPED OUT. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER WILL ADD MORE INFORMATION TO FORM. *AK
WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE FAILED AT 58788 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR OFF ROAD, HEAVY HAULING, OR FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN NORMAL CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING. WE PAID $1987.74 FOR A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WANT TO KNOW IF OTHER CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILA…
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WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE FAILED AT 58788 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR OFF ROAD, HEAVY HAULING, OR FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN NORMAL CITY/HIGHWAY DRIVING. WE PAID $1987.74 FOR A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WANT TO KNOW IF OTHER CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT LOW MILEAGE. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY FACTORY/DEALER RECALLS WERE OUT THERE THAT AS AN OWNER WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. WE HAVE LEARNED THAT OTHER S10 BLAZER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE BUT HAVE NO SPECIFICS ON MILEAGE OR CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING FAILURE. PLEASE REPLY AT EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP/INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE. *AK
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO DRIVE BELT SLIPPAGE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE ONTO THE CONNECTION TO RADIATOR RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR. *MJS
IN 1996 MODEL S-10'S AND S-15'S CHEVEROLET TRIED A NEW SLAVE CYLINDER AND HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEM SO THEY RETURNED TO THE OLD STYLE CYLINDER BUT LEFT CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THEM WHEN THEY GO OUT. GMC MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS. *AK
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.