Illustration1998 CHEVY S-10 BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB
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 reportsMY 1998 S-10 PICKUP WIPERS WILL FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANY SETTING OF THE INTERMITTANT SWITCH. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. SOMWETIMES THEY WILL RESTART BY WIGGLING THE WIRES GOING TO THE WIPER MOTOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS IN A DOWNPOUR YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW TO GET OF…
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MY 1998 S-10 PICKUP WIPERS WILL FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANY SETTING OF THE INTERMITTANT SWITCH. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. SOMWETIMES THEY WILL RESTART BY WIGGLING THE WIRES GOING TO THE WIPER MOTOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS IN A DOWNPOUR YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTIED THE LAST 3 YEARS. *NM
MY S-10 PICKUP WILL SPORADICALLY HAVE THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND FLASH WHEN I *TRY* TO START MY VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WILL THEN NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT CRANKS OVER PERFECTLY FINE. THE SECURITY FEATURE IS NOT A HELP, BUT A HINDRANCE. I AM USING AN OFFICIAL GM KEY IN MY IGNITION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF I WAIT AT LEAST AN HO…
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MY S-10 PICKUP WILL SPORADICALLY HAVE THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND FLASH WHEN I *TRY* TO START MY VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WILL THEN NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT CRANKS OVER PERFECTLY FINE. THE SECURITY FEATURE IS NOT A HELP, BUT A HINDRANCE. I AM USING AN OFFICIAL GM KEY IN MY IGNITION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF I WAIT AT LEAST AN HOUR THEN THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE TRUCK WILL THEN START AS IF NOTHING WERE WRONG AND THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE STATES THAT IT IS SOMETHING FAULTY IN THE "IDIOTIC SECURITY SYSTEM" THAT WAS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THIS VEHICLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ROUGHLY $500 TO GET A FAULTY "SECURITY" SYSTEM THAT REALLY IS A USELESS NON-NECESSARY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FIXED SO THAT I CAN SIMPLY START MY CAR WITH AN OFFICIAL KEY! IT IS OUTRAGEOUS. I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO REMEDIES SHOULD BE FORCED UPON GM: 1) THEY SHOULD FIX THIS IDIOTIC PROBLEM IN MY "SECURITY" SYSTEM, OR 2) THEY SHOULD BYPASS THE "SECURITY" SYSTEM THAT I DO NOT WANT, HAVE NO NEED IN MY VEHICLE, AND FIND A REAL PAIN IN THE POSTERIOR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN A YEAR THAT I HAVE GOTTEN STRANDED BECAUSE OF THAT [XXX] "SECURITY" LIGHT WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE FOR THE TAILGATE HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE OPENING FAILED TO OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANTED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ALSO, HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SUGGESTED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BE DONE. *AK
DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL AT RANDOM POSITIONS. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ON TO. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY WAS SEVERELY RESTRICTED TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE WAS ON A RECALL STATUS FOR THE 1996 AND 1997 CHEVROLE…
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DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL AT RANDOM POSITIONS. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ON TO. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY WAS SEVERELY RESTRICTED TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE WAS ON A RECALL STATUS FOR THE 1996 AND 1997 CHEVROLET S10 MODELS BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE 1998 MODELS. FAILURE OF THE WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO EXIST BUT GM WILL NOT HONOR FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART BECAUSE OF A STATED AGE DATE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 37,000 MILES ON IT. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL CHEVY S-10S, (I KNOW AS I ALSO OWN A 1997 MODEL) BUT AS OF NOV 15, 2005, NOT FOR 1998. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS ON THE TIRE SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, HE FOUND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HE PURCHASED CABLE CLAMPS AND USED THE EXISTING CABLE TO …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS ON THE TIRE SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, HE FOUND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HE PURCHASED CABLE CLAMPS AND USED THE EXISTING CABLE TO INSTALL THE CLAMPS TO HOLD THE TIRE ON. *AK
DT: 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT FELL OUT. HE NOTICED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROA.D, HE DID NOT SEE IT FALL OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE METAL …
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DT: 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT FELL OUT. HE NOTICED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROA.D, HE DID NOT SEE IT FALL OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED OR FIXED. *AK
I OWN A 1998 CHEVY S-10. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AFTER MONTHS OF VERY SPORADIC BEHAVIOR. THIS BEHAVIOR BEGAN AFTER ONLY 19,000 MILES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF WIPERS NOT WORKING ARE OBVIOUSLY GRAVE. FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD HAS TO BE REPLACED (THE SAME BOARD INVOLVED IN THE 1997 RECALL). I HAVE HEARD AND READ OF M…
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I OWN A 1998 CHEVY S-10. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AFTER MONTHS OF VERY SPORADIC BEHAVIOR. THIS BEHAVIOR BEGAN AFTER ONLY 19,000 MILES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF WIPERS NOT WORKING ARE OBVIOUSLY GRAVE. FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD HAS TO BE REPLACED (THE SAME BOARD INVOLVED IN THE 1997 RECALL). I HAVE HEARD AND READ OF MANY, MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPS WORKING SOMETIMES. YOU CAN TAP ON THE MOTOR ITSELF SOMETIMES AND IT WILL WORK FOR A WHILE. *JB
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.