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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Air Bags complaints

37 reports
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136,000 miles · Dec 21, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #11055884

236,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 236,000. UPDATED 04/11/12. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10451470

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2009
Air BagsCrash

WE WERE REAR-ENDED BY A BUS AND SHOVED INTO THE POLE THAT PROTECTS THE GAS PUMP, SO THE ACTUAL GAS STATION DID NOT EXPLODE. MY HEAD HIT EITHER THE WINDSHIELD OR THE DASHBOARD; I DON'T REMEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I AM STILL GOING THROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR INJURIES TO MY NECK; CHRONIC NECK AND BACK PAIN. I SUFFER FROM TM…

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WE WERE REAR-ENDED BY A BUS AND SHOVED INTO THE POLE THAT PROTECTS THE GAS PUMP, SO THE ACTUAL GAS STATION DID NOT EXPLODE. MY HEAD HIT EITHER THE WINDSHIELD OR THE DASHBOARD; I DON'T REMEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I AM STILL GOING THROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR INJURIES TO MY NECK; CHRONIC NECK AND BACK PAIN. I SUFFER FROM TMJ PAIN DAILY. I HAVE DAILY CLUSTER HEADACHES, INSOMNIA, AND NIGHTMARES. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291870

110,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10068604

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063343

63,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Air BagsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS IN THE "ON" POSITION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10051999

80,000 miles · May 20, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD ALREADY IN AN ACCIDENT.. SPEED WAS AT 55 MPH CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF 1998 S-10 ZR2 TRUCK.. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT...OF THIS THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AT ALL THE SAFETY BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN..DRIVER SUFFERED CHEST TRAUMA BACK,KNEE,AND NECK IN…

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VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD ALREADY IN AN ACCIDENT.. SPEED WAS AT 55 MPH CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF 1998 S-10 ZR2 TRUCK.. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT...OF THIS THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AT ALL THE SAFETY BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN..DRIVER SUFFERED CHEST TRAUMA BACK,KNEE,AND NECK INJURIES.... CHEVROLET WAS CALLED TO COMPLAIN AND THEY DID INVESTIGATION BUT NOTHING WAS RESOLVED.... *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019035

160,000 miles · Oct 30, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH *JG

NHTSA ODI #8021873

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE HIT A FENCE POST AFTER LEAVING THE ROADWAY, AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER ALSO BROKE TWO RIBS AND PUNCTURED LEFT LUNG, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEPLOYMENT. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8017483

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN CONSUMERS VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED VEHICLE AS TOTALED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8012313

Official recalls

6

00V374000 · 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

3

EA05008 · 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.