IllustrationVECHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. LEANING DOWN 1-3/4INCH ON LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK.
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 reportsMORE TO FOLLOW
THERE IS MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS TRUCK
I HIT HEAD ON AT 30MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN OVER PROPERLY WHEN I TURN THE KEY.
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IN AUGUST 1998. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND RETURNED ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THERE. THEY COULD NOT JUMP THE TRUCK OFF. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIERSON CHEVROLET…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IN AUGUST 1998. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND RETURNED ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THERE. THEY COULD NOT JUMP THE TRUCK OFF. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIERSON CHEVROLET). THEY KEPT THE TRUCK ABOUT 3 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. THIS WAS SATISFACTORY TO ME. THEN IN APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER, 1998, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. SHE WAS COMING DOWN A VERY STEEP MOUNTAIN (231S.) SHE PUT HER HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT AND WHEN SHE DID THE LIGHTS WENT OUT..AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON (CHECK ENGINE, OIL, SEAT BELTS) JUST LIKE THE TRUCK HAD GONE DEAD. HER IMMEDIATE REFLEX WAS TO DIM THE LIGHTS. WHEN SHE DID, THEY CAME BACK ON. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO PIERSON THE NEXT MORNING. THEY KEPT THE TRUCK 4 DAYS, AND COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO COME AND GET THE TRUCK AND RETURN THE RENTAL CAR. I ASKED IF THEY KNEW WHY THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND THEY (BRENT ELLISON) SAID NO. ALSO, HE SAID COULD NOT GUARANTEE ME THE LIGHTS WOULD EVER GO OUT AGAIN, NOR COULD HE GUARANTEE ME THEY WOULD NOT GO OUT AGAIN. I ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD PUT HIS CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE AND HE SAID YES. I CALLED HIM A LIAR AND TOLD HIM THAT WAS NOT A RISK I WAS WILLING TO TAKE. I TOLD HIM HE COULD HAVE THE TRUCK ,AND I WOULD CONTACT MY ATTORNEY. HE TOLD ME TO DO WHATEVER I FELT I HAD TO. HE NEVER TOLD ME TO CONTACT CHEVROLET. I WAS FINALLY TOLD BY GMAC TO CONTACT CHEVROLET AND FILE A COMPLAINT. I DID AND IT WAS REFUSED. WE WENT TO GET THE TRUCK TO REMOVE THE CD PLAYER. THE TRUCK WENT DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4LANE IN FRONT OF PIERSON. WOULD NOT START...HAD TO BE TOWED. I HAVE FILED A SECOND COMPLAINT. I AM OUT OF ROOM BUT THERE IS MORE TO THIS. *AK
ABOUT FOUR HOURS AFTER I PARKED MY CHEVY S-10 IN MY CARPORT AT 11 P.M., THE TRUCK ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS GUTTED; THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TRUCK IS DESTROYED. A CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY INVESTIGATOR HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS LIKELY THE VEHICLEOS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE BELIEVES THE FIRE PROBABLY …
Read full complaint
ABOUT FOUR HOURS AFTER I PARKED MY CHEVY S-10 IN MY CARPORT AT 11 P.M., THE TRUCK ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS GUTTED; THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TRUCK IS DESTROYED. A CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY INVESTIGATOR HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS LIKELY THE VEHICLEOS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE BELIEVES THE FIRE PROBABLY STARTED IN THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THEN SPREAD TO ENGULF THE WHOLE ENGINE. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A COPY OF HIS REPORT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE FIRE THREATENED THE ENTIRE BUILDING WHERE I LIVE, WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES. BECAUSE OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND FAST ACTION BY FIRE CREWS, THE BUILDING DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO SMOKE STAINS ON THE WALL AND CEILING. HOWEVER, THE TRUCK IS TOTALED.
BATTERY FAILED. YH
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DO NOT LOCK INTO PLACE UNLESS PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK. YH
FRONT END SPRINGS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. YH
HEATER RESTRICTER VALVE FAILED. YH
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.