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1999 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 142 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports2 fire reports20 injury reports

Equipment complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2009
EquipmentVisibility

WIPERS QUIT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274983

59,000 miles · Oct 1, 2004
Equipment

AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO START THE SECURITY SYSTEM DID NOT LET CONSUMER START THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE HAS TO SIT AND RECALIBRATE IN ORDER TO START. *AK *TC

NHTSA ODI #10090124

85,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Equipment

WHILE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON/OFF GREY SMOKE CAME OF OUT OF THE VENTS. DEALERSHIPWAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE. THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090102

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2004
Equipment

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE PUT ON AIR CONDITIONER IT BLEW OUT A SMELLY FUMES, LIKE CLEANING FLUID. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THESE FUMES WERE COMING FROM A BURNT OUT HEATING COIL. CONSUMER WENT TO A DOCTOR AFTER SMELLING THESE FUMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD DEVELOPED A VIRAL BL…

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CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE PUT ON AIR CONDITIONER IT BLEW OUT A SMELLY FUMES, LIKE CLEANING FLUID. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THESE FUMES WERE COMING FROM A BURNT OUT HEATING COIL. CONSUMER WENT TO A DOCTOR AFTER SMELLING THESE FUMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD DEVELOPED A VIRAL BLOOD CONDITION AFTER COMING IN CONTACT WITH SOME TYPE OF TOXIC FUMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089847

32,000 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipment

THE LIGHTING INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO WORK. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE WARNING ICONS. *AK THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C WHICH DID NOT GET COLD. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10076190

33,000 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Equipment

THE STOCK RADIO/CASSETTE STOPPED PRODUCING SOUND OUT OF MY RIGHT SPEAKERS. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY THE CASSETTE PLAYER WANTS TO PLAY ALL OF MY CASSETTES BACKWARDS. IT CAN EVENTUALLY BE COAXED TO PLAY THEM CORRECTLY, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE DEVICES WORK AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. TRUCK IS OUT OF WA…

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THE STOCK RADIO/CASSETTE STOPPED PRODUCING SOUND OUT OF MY RIGHT SPEAKERS. THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY THE CASSETTE PLAYER WANTS TO PLAY ALL OF MY CASSETTES BACKWARDS. IT CAN EVENTUALLY BE COAXED TO PLAY THEM CORRECTLY, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE DEVICES WORK AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY & I WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE THE SAME CRAPPY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AGAIN. WILL GO AFTERMARKET. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016290

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipment

THIS IS THE 2ND S-10 SERIES CHEVROLET TRUCK I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 4 YEARS AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE STILL PRESENT WITH MY NEWER ONE. THE MOST PARTICULAR ONE IS THE LEAKING ENGINE OIL LINES, WHICH IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE GM S-10 FAMILY (3 WEEK BACK LOG JUST TO GET THE PARTS). I'M A…

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THIS IS THE 2ND S-10 SERIES CHEVROLET TRUCK I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 4 YEARS AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE STILL PRESENT WITH MY NEWER ONE. THE MOST PARTICULAR ONE IS THE LEAKING ENGINE OIL LINES, WHICH IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE GM S-10 FAMILY (3 WEEK BACK LOG JUST TO GET THE PARTS). I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF A MAILING LIST ASSOCIATED WITH THE S-10 SERIES TRUCKS BY GM AND IT CONTAINS WELL OVER 200 MEMBERS MOST OF WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/ MODEL. I'M NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM DISSATISFIED WITH THE DEALER HERE IN VIRGINIA THAT HAS PERFORMED ANY OF MY REPAIRS AND I'M ALSO NOT DISSATISFIED WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM WHEN NEW. PER THE ON-LINE NHTSA HOME PAGE IT STATES THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RECEIVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON A VEHICLE TO HAVE THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE. HOWEVER, IF ACTION IS NOT TAKEN TO RESOLVE THIS OBVIOUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF GM'S S-SERIES LINE UP I FEAR OTHER HARD WORKING CITIZENS WHO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO THE WELL KNOWN (BUT NOT DOCUMENTED?) PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. IF NECESSARY I CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL THE REPAIRS I HAVE BEEN UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO ENCOUNTER. I CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE OTHERS ON THE MAILING LIST TO FILE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HERE UNTIL THE NECESSARY PEOPLE NEEDING TO BE INVOLVE FORCE THE MANUFACTURE TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ONGOING DESIGN FLAW. THIS DESIGN FLAW HAS COST MANY OF US OUT POCKET EXPENSES AND TIME ON WHAT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDER A NORMAL PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON A VEHICLE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION ON THIS AND HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO EXPEDITE A SOLID SOLUTION THAT WOULD RE-ESTABLISH THE CONSUMER'S FAITH IN THE GM PRODUCT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ANY FURTHER DETAILS IN REGARDS TO MY COMPLAINT. BEST REGARDS, JERRY KOCHER EMAIL: JERRYKOCHER@HOME.COM

NHTSA ODI #740647

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2000
Equipment

THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE TO THE UNDERBODY NEAR THE REAR OF THE TRUCK BOX BROKE. FORTUNATELY, THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I FOUND THE SPARE TIRE ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE TRUCK. IF THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING ME…

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THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE TO THE UNDERBODY NEAR THE REAR OF THE TRUCK BOX BROKE. FORTUNATELY, THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I FOUND THE SPARE TIRE ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE TRUCK. IF THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING ME. I HAVE NEVER USED THE SPARE TIRE HOIST ASSEMBLY. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737237

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CONSUMER HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. A/C WIRES BURNED OUT THE CLUTCH FAN. DEALER CLAIMED WIRES WEREN'T WHERE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE. COOLING FAN WENT THROUGH THE HOOD. DEALER SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. A MONTH AGO WHEN THE A/C WIRES BURNED OUT, THEY DETECTED IT. DEALER DIDN'T OFFER A LONER VEHICLE. …

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CONSUMER HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. A/C WIRES BURNED OUT THE CLUTCH FAN. DEALER CLAIMED WIRES WEREN'T WHERE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE. COOLING FAN WENT THROUGH THE HOOD. DEALER SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. A MONTH AGO WHEN THE A/C WIRES BURNED OUT, THEY DETECTED IT. DEALER DIDN'T OFFER A LONER VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872498

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control

8/9/00 A/C FROZE-UP CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER HOOD. 8/20/00 SPEED CONTROL SET AT 63MPH, WITHIN 2 MILES SPEED WAS 85MPH DOWN CURVED HILL. UNABLE TO DISABLE SPEED CONTROL WITH BRAKE PEDAL. DID NOT WANT TO TURN OFF IGNITION AS STEERING WAS NEEDED. USED BRAKES TO SLOW VEHICLE UNTIL STRAIGHT UPHILL AREA WHIC…

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8/9/00 A/C FROZE-UP CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER HOOD. 8/20/00 SPEED CONTROL SET AT 63MPH, WITHIN 2 MILES SPEED WAS 85MPH DOWN CURVED HILL. UNABLE TO DISABLE SPEED CONTROL WITH BRAKE PEDAL. DID NOT WANT TO TURN OFF IGNITION AS STEERING WAS NEEDED. USED BRAKES TO SLOW VEHICLE UNTIL STRAIGHT UPHILL AREA WHICH HEATED UP ROTORS EXTENSIVELY. BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY FIRE OF SERPENTINE BELT @ A/C.

NHTSA ODI #728585

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.

PE99009 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 1, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

ALLEGED THAT THE FUEL TANK MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURE IN CERTAIN CRASH MODES