← New search

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

Structure complaints

39 reports
Clear category filter
92,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityStructureVehicle Speed Control

WATER LEAK IN COWL AREA ALLOWED RAIN WATER TO COLLECT UNDETECTED UNDER CARPET MOISTURE BARRIER CAUSING ACCESSORY HANDICAPPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRODE. CORROSION OF THE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT EVENTUALLY CAUSED PEDAL TO FREEZE IN A PART THROTTLE POSITION IN TRAFFIC. EVASIVE MANEUVER REQUIRED TO AVOID COLLISION WHILE AP…

Read full complaint

WATER LEAK IN COWL AREA ALLOWED RAIN WATER TO COLLECT UNDETECTED UNDER CARPET MOISTURE BARRIER CAUSING ACCESSORY HANDICAPPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRODE. CORROSION OF THE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT EVENTUALLY CAUSED PEDAL TO FREEZE IN A PART THROTTLE POSITION IN TRAFFIC. EVASIVE MANEUVER REQUIRED TO AVOID COLLISION WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649891

47,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME, BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CORROSION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME, BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CORROSION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10522134

86,000 miles · Nov 12, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 EXTENDED CAB. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE HANDLE BROKE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10365443

70,000 miles · Feb 6, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINFRAME WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HIS MECHANIC ALREADY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINFRAME WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HIS MECHANIC ALREADY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10257721

121,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Structure

OPENING OF TAILGATE ON 1998 CHEVY S10 AND WHEN SITTING DOWN ON TAILGATE A SNAP SOUND OCCURRED AND THE TAILGATE DROPPED SLIGHTLY INDICATING THE SUPPORT CABLE SNAPPED ON PASSENGER SIDE. PART IS ON ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226665

118,000 miles · Sep 17, 2006
StructureInjury

ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. THE CABLES BROKE AND THE WOOD I WAS LOADING SLID OFF AND HIT MY FOOT IT DID HURT IT, BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BAD. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE TAILGATE CABLES BREAKING. I HAVE SEEN IT ON 1995, 1998 A…

Read full complaint

ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. THE CABLES BROKE AND THE WOOD I WAS LOADING SLID OFF AND HIT MY FOOT IT DID HURT IT, BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BAD. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE TAILGATE CABLES BREAKING. I HAVE SEEN IT ON 1995, 1998 AND 2000 S-10 TRUCKS. I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO MAKE REPLACEMENT CABLES THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF YOU WERE LOADING SOMETHING IT COULD SLID OFF THE TAILGATE AND HURT THEMSELVES LIKE I DID. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10168474

153,750 miles · Aug 13, 2006
Structure

BOTH CABLES ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICK-UP HAVE SNAPPED. MY DOG WAS USING A RAMP THAT RESTED ON THE TAILGATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT CAUSED THE RAMP TO FALL A FEW INCHES LUCKILY THE DOG WAS UNINJURED HOWEVER HE IS VERY FRIGHTENED TO USE THE RAMP NOW. HE WEIGHS OVER 150S SO I CAN'T LIFT HIM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE T…

Read full complaint

BOTH CABLES ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICK-UP HAVE SNAPPED. MY DOG WAS USING A RAMP THAT RESTED ON THE TAILGATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT CAUSED THE RAMP TO FALL A FEW INCHES LUCKILY THE DOG WAS UNINJURED HOWEVER HE IS VERY FRIGHTENED TO USE THE RAMP NOW. HE WEIGHS OVER 150S SO I CAN'T LIFT HIM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET NEW CABLE WHEN I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL ON OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. I HAVE PUT OFF REPAIRING THIS IN ANTICIPATION OF A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165379

216,000 miles · Apr 17, 2006
StructureTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE SPARE TIRE, THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE FRACTURED AND RELEASED THE TIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL RECENTLY. THE CONTACT FOUND A SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT OTHER S10 TRUCKS. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS

NHTSA ODI #10155471

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2006
Structure

THE UPPER HINGE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR IS SO WORN AWAY THAT IT HAS CAUSED A DOOR SEAL LEAK AND RAIN GETS IN. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT YET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153691

112,000 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Structure

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10 AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. IT BROKE WHEN I OPENED THE TAILGATE AND SAT DOWN ON IT. I DID NOT GET HURT BUT I THINK A CABLE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HOLD SOME WEIGHT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE CABLES RETAIN MOISTURE WHICH CAUSES THEM TO RUST OUT AND MINE WAS RUSTED. I LEFT THE CABLE ON AND IT DAMAGED T…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10 AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. IT BROKE WHEN I OPENED THE TAILGATE AND SAT DOWN ON IT. I DID NOT GET HURT BUT I THINK A CABLE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HOLD SOME WEIGHT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE CABLES RETAIN MOISTURE WHICH CAUSES THEM TO RUST OUT AND MINE WAS RUSTED. I LEFT THE CABLE ON AND IT DAMAGED THE TAILGATE BY PUTTING A DENT IN IT AND CRACKING THE PAINT. I CUT THE CABLE SO IT WOULD NOT DAMAGE THE TAILGATE ANY MORE. MY BROTHER TOLD ME I COULD USE HIS CABLE FROM HIS TAILGATE AND I AM. I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HEARD THEY MIGHT RECALL THIS SO I DECIDED TO PUT MY INPUT BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. I ALSO BOUGHT REPLACEMENT CABLES, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT THEM ON BECAUSE GM USES A BIG RIVET. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE'S CABLES ON THEIR 95-2003 S-10'S. THANKS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10153408

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.