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
What owners actually said
665 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
TRAVELING AT 40+ MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER EITHER BECAME UNCONSIUS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. I WENT OVER AN ENBANKMENT AND INTO A DITCH HEAD ON TOTALING THE CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE COLLISION WAS A FRONT IMPACT INTO A HARD DITCH DUE TO THE DROUGHT STATUS AT THE TIME. T…
Read full complaint
TRAVELING AT 40+ MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER EITHER BECAME UNCONSIUS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. I WENT OVER AN ENBANKMENT AND INTO A DITCH HEAD ON TOTALING THE CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE COLLISION WAS A FRONT IMPACT INTO A HARD DITCH DUE TO THE DROUGHT STATUS AT THE TIME. THE FRONT END WAS WRECKED BEYOND REPAIR AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I FEEL THAT IT MALFUNCTIIONED AND WANT IT REPORTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I HAVE REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE CO AND TO GM.
NHTSA ODI #713119
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #713042
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, IN WET CONDITIONS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AS IF BRAKES COLLAPSED. VEHICLE HAD SKIDDED FOR AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850069
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849966
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD OR SLIGHTLY GOING DOWN HILL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATES TOO EASILY. WHEN THIS PRBLEM OCCURS VEHICLE TAKES TWICE AS LONG TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849815
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
EquipmentSeat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. ALSO SPARE TIRE FELL OUT WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSE A CRASH/ PROBLEMS WITH GRILL FALLING OUT, AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELT TIGHTENS WHILE IN USE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849438
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE THE DESIGN WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE OIL PAN, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849427
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES PEDAL NEARLY GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849227
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1999
Service Brakes, Air
WHEN TRYING TO BREAK SUDDENLY(SOMEONE IN FRONT OR SOMEONE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ME) WHEN ROAD IS WET FROM RAIN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND BRAKES SEEM TO PAUSE BEFORE BREAKING.
NHTSA ODI #712036
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING INTERMENTENTLY.THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
1996 Chevrolet S10 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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