IllustrationDURING VEHICLE COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. MJS
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
What owners actually said
665 reportsCOOLANT SYSTEM TURNS COLORS AND GETS GRIDDY. MANUAL STATES NO MAINTENANCE FOR 5YRS OR 50,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, WITH CASE #990212859, NOTHING DONE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
FREON LEAKED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. UNUSUAL FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO FAIL AFTER 38,000 MILES.
TIMING CHAIN NOISE CONDITIONS. INSPECTOR FROM GE CAPITAL INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT. INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE HAD NOT BEEN MAINTAINED ON VEHICLE AND INDICATED OIL WAS VERY BLACK. OIL CHANGES WERE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE EVERY 3,000 MILES. SELF-MAINTAINED VEHICLE FOR OIL …
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TIMING CHAIN NOISE CONDITIONS. INSPECTOR FROM GE CAPITAL INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT. INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE HAD NOT BEEN MAINTAINED ON VEHICLE AND INDICATED OIL WAS VERY BLACK. OIL CHANGES WERE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE EVERY 3,000 MILES. SELF-MAINTAINED VEHICLE FOR OIL CHANGES. LAST OIL CHANGE: 35,718. OIL USED WAS WESTERN AUTO OIL, 10W30 ADVAN. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 87-61-21A, APRIL 1998, SUBJ: TIMING CHAIN NOISE CONDITION (REPLACE TIMING CHAIN). CONDITION: VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT A CLATTERING NOISE AT IDLE SPEED ORIGINATING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND FRONT COVER AREA. CHAIN WEAR IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM TRAVEL OF THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MAY CREATE NOISE THAT MAY BE OBJECTIONAL TO SOME CUSTOMERS. CAUSE: LACK OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AS REF IN OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE RESULTANT LACK OF LUBRICATION AND BUILDUP OF DEPOSITS INSIDE THE ENGINE MAY ACCELERATE WEAR OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A SMALL LUBRICATION HOLE IN THE FRONT OIL PASSAGE PLUG THAT COULD BECOME BLOCKED WITH DEBRIS IF PROPER ENGINE MAINTENANCE IS NOT FOLLOWED. CORRECTION: IF THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE INDICATES A NOISE CONCERN, INSPECT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION. IN ADDITION, CONFIRM OIL FLOW FROM THE FRONT OIL PASSAGE PLUG AND REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, AND BOTH THE CAMSHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET IF NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE NOISE.
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL FADE OR STOP. WHEN DRIVING OVER ANYTHING THAT CAUSES VIBRATIONS, EG., BUMPS/POTHOLES, AND REVVING OF ENGINE. ALSO, CLOSING THE DOORS WILL CAUSE THE WIPERS TO FADE. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME .*AK
VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REARENDED IT, KNOCKING THE FIRST VEHCLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THEN IT BOUNCED OFF OF THE POLE, HIT THE CORNER OF A BRICK WALL AND KNOCKED INTO THE CURB. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER TALKED WITH THE DEALER ABOUT AIRBAG. THE D…
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VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REARENDED IT, KNOCKING THE FIRST VEHCLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THEN IT BOUNCED OFF OF THE POLE, HIT THE CORNER OF A BRICK WALL AND KNOCKED INTO THE CURB. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER TALKED WITH THE DEALER ABOUT AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T HAVE TO DEPLOY. *AK
VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 4-3-99 AND BRAKE FLUID LEVEL OK; SUDDEN FAILURE, NOT PREVIOUS PROBLEM; REPAIR COST OF $690 INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH HEARD A NOISE AND HAD NO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP INTO GARAGE. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. EALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. NO RECALLS WERE ESTABLISHED . PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. *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.