IllustrationWIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UNABLE TO GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON. SEEMS TO BE EERILY SIMILAR TO A PREVIOUS RECALL (03V159000) OF EARLIER YEAR MODEL VEHICLES. RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED ASAP TO COVER 1998+ YEAR MODEL VEHICLES
1998 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
170–25K
3725–50K
6350–75K
5675–100K
35100–150K
11150K+
219 reports with mileage · 394 unknown
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.
- Visibility. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
61 crash reports9 fire reports36 injury reports
What owners actually said
613 reportsI JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. IT DOES THIS WHETHER IT IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, TURNING, BRAKING, HOT OR COLD WEATHER, ETC. IT IS UNSAFE WHEN IT IS RAINING BECAUSE THE WIPERS DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF RA…
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I JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. IT DOES THIS WHETHER IT IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, TURNING, BRAKING, HOT OR COLD WEATHER, ETC. IT IS UNSAFE WHEN IT IS RAINING BECAUSE THE WIPERS DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF RAIN, SNOW, SLEET, WATER FROM OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD PASSING OR AHEAD OF YOU OR SLEET. YOU CANNOT SEE CLEARLY WHERE YOU ARE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE 1997 WIPER MOTOR ON HIS S10 TRUCK. THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TWO OWNERS BEFORE ME HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH IT. I AM NOT SURE WHO THE ORGINAL OWNER IS OR WAS.
MY PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T WORK. MY SEATBELTS COME UNDONE WHEN I'M DRIVING WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LOWER BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LOWER BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. *TT UPDATED 8/30/18*JB
WHILE IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY, THE SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE UNDER THE TRUCK BED FAILED AND THE SPARE TIRE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. AFTER IT FELL, A SECOND SAFETY CABLE USED TO PREVENT THEFT OF THE TIRE WAS CAUSING THE TIRE TO DRAG BEHIND THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF MILES. WHILE PULLING OVER, THE SAFETY CABLE ALSO FAILED DU…
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WHILE IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY, THE SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE UNDER THE TRUCK BED FAILED AND THE SPARE TIRE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. AFTER IT FELL, A SECOND SAFETY CABLE USED TO PREVENT THEFT OF THE TIRE WAS CAUSING THE TIRE TO DRAG BEHIND THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF MILES. WHILE PULLING OVER, THE SAFETY CABLE ALSO FAILED DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE GROUND AND THE TIRE CAME FULLY LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK. ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND THE TRUCK RAN INTO THE TIRE BUT NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE LOOSE SPARE TIRE AND THE LOOSE SAFETY CABLE LOCK WERE RECOVERED, HOWEVER, THE BROKEN PIECE FOR THE TIRE HOIST WAS NOT RECOVERABLE. DAMAGED/FAILED HARDWARE: OEM SPARE TIRE CABLE HOIST (FAILED), THIRD PART SAFETY CABLE (DAMAGED)
MY PICKUP WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOME WHEN IT WOULDN'T START. I RAISED THE HOOD AND A RAT WAS UNDER THE HOOD WITH DEBRIS WITH PIECES OF HOSES AND INSULATION FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER REMOVING THE DEBRIS I COULD SEE THE WIREING COATINGS AND THE HOSES WERE ALL CHEWED AND MISSING WITH PART OF IT IN THE DEBRIS. I HAD DISCOVER…
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MY PICKUP WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOME WHEN IT WOULDN'T START. I RAISED THE HOOD AND A RAT WAS UNDER THE HOOD WITH DEBRIS WITH PIECES OF HOSES AND INSULATION FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER REMOVING THE DEBRIS I COULD SEE THE WIREING COATINGS AND THE HOSES WERE ALL CHEWED AND MISSING WITH PART OF IT IN THE DEBRIS. I HAD DISCOVERED THE SAME TYPE OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR THAT DAY BUT WITH A SQUIRREL UNDER THE HOOD! I'VE LIVED HERE MANY YEARS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES. AFRAID THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UP TILL ON THE ROAD. HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE & COST. WHY ARE THE RODENTS EATING THE WIRING COVER AND HOSES IN VEHICLES?
RUSTED BRAKE LINES. ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING.
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER IS LOST. ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL COME ON AS IF THE TRUCK WERE JUST STARTED. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK RESTARTS AND CONTINUES WORKING AND OTHER TIMES IT STALLS COMPLETELY AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM T…
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THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER IS LOST. ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL COME ON AS IF THE TRUCK WERE JUST STARTED. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK RESTARTS AND CONTINUES WORKING AND OTHER TIMES IT STALLS COMPLETELY AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND IN RANDOM SITUATIONS. WE MAY BE ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY (MERGING INTO TRAFFIC) OR DRIVING SMOOTHLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. IT IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH ROAD CONDITIONS, TEMPERATURE OR WHETHER WE ARE DRIVING UP OR DOWNS A HILL, ON THE FLATS, GOING STRAIGHT OR AROUND CURVES. IT MAY HAPPEN TWICE WITHIN A MILE THEN NOT AGAIN THAT DAY. ONCE IT HAS STALED COMPLETELY, STARTING THE ENGINE CAN BE DIFFICULT, LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL OR ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE ENGINE. FUEL FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED WITH NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS. PROBLEM CODES THAT COME UP WHEN DIAGNOSED ARE AS FOLLOWS... P1632 P0341 P0335 THIS PROBLEM HAS JUST BEGUN TO SHOW ITSELF IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS, MAYBE STARTING IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, 2015. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING AS THIS IS MY WIFE'S COMMUTER CAR AND SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT AT THIS POINT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 01/09/15*LJ UPDATED 06/2/2015 *JS
SAME AS OTHER COMPLAINTS. WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM. HAVE CHANGED THE MOTOR TWICE AND RECENTLY STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. ALSO BOTH CABLES IN THE LID CORRODED AND BROKE. USING SOME CHAINS TO HOLD UNTIL ABLE TO FIND AND BUY THE CABLES. WILL GET THE VIN NUMBER TO SEE IF IT WAS EVER PART OF A RECALL I WASN'T A…
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SAME AS OTHER COMPLAINTS. WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAINSTORM. HAVE CHANGED THE MOTOR TWICE AND RECENTLY STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. ALSO BOTH CABLES IN THE LID CORRODED AND BROKE. USING SOME CHAINS TO HOLD UNTIL ABLE TO FIND AND BUY THE CABLES. WILL GET THE VIN NUMBER TO SEE IF IT WAS EVER PART OF A RECALL I WASN'T AWARE OF. *TR
Official recalls
600V374000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Nov 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS CONTAINING A NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERY PACK. THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN SOFTWARE WITHIN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE INTENDED TO DISABLE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITH THE BATTERY PACK EXCEEDS A PRESCRIBED VALUE. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ILLUMINATE THE "SERVICE NOW" AND "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" TELLTALES AND CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODEL INSTEAD OF BEING DISABLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TELLTALES ARE IGNORED AND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN, HEAT COULD BUILD UP AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.
00V220000 · Exterior Lighting
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
00V159000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 16, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD WEAR OFF THE CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE BRAKE PIPE, LEADING TO PREMATURE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY. WHEN BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY IS LOST, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.
98V177000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Aug 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. RAPID FOGGING OF THE INTERIOR GLASS CAN OCCUR WITHIN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IF (1) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 35 AND 76 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND (2) WATER HAS COLLECTED ON THE HEAT EXCHANGER DURING PREVIOUS OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISING THEM TO FOLLOW A "STOP AND WAIT" PROCEDURE TO HELP AVOID WINDOW FOGGING WHILE DRIVING.
97V208001 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Nov 25, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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
3EA05008 · Tailgate Support Cables
Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed May 19, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
RQ04012 · Tailgate Support Cable(s) Break
Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.
EA99012 · Post Collision Fuel System Integrity
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGE THAT IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASHES, THE SUBJECT FUEL TANKS MAY CONTACT THE PROP SHAFT REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT COMPONENTS WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PUNCTURE THE TANK.