NO EVENTS LEADING TO IT. JUST HAPPENS OUT OF THE BLUE WHEN USING IT. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. SEAT RECLINER LEVERS DEFECTIVE AND BREAK VERY EASY, THE PARTS THAT HOLD IT TOGETHER ARE CHEAP DIE CAST METAL. HAVEN'T BOTHERED REPLACING AS I CANNOT AFFORD, DEALER WONT REPLACE, JUNK YARDS DON'T HAVE THEM. *TR
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.
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
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.
Seats complaints
33 reportsSEAT RECLINER LEVER BREAKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS APPLIES TO ALL 1999 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP AND S10 BLAZERS. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. WITNESSED THIS OCCURRENCE ON 4 DIFFERENT S10 PICKUP/BLAZERS. METAL IS MADE OF CHEAP CAST THAT BREAKS OFF EVEN WITH NO USE. LEVERS FALL OFF DURING VACUUMING/OPENING DOOR AND REGULAR USE. NO AVA…
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SEAT RECLINER LEVER BREAKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS APPLIES TO ALL 1999 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP AND S10 BLAZERS. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. WITNESSED THIS OCCURRENCE ON 4 DIFFERENT S10 PICKUP/BLAZERS. METAL IS MADE OF CHEAP CAST THAT BREAKS OFF EVEN WITH NO USE. LEVERS FALL OFF DURING VACUUMING/OPENING DOOR AND REGULAR USE. NO AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT PART OR REMEDY TO MY KNOWLEDGE. *TR
BOTH SEAT RECLINER HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF. I HAVE LESS THAT 30,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I ONLY USE IT OCCASIONALLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RARELY USED AND THAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF FIRST. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WHICH INDICATES A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE RECLINER ARMS. I WIL…
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BOTH SEAT RECLINER HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF. I HAVE LESS THAT 30,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I ONLY USE IT OCCASIONALLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RARELY USED AND THAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF FIRST. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WHICH INDICATES A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE RECLINER ARMS. I WILL CONTACT GM TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THEM. *JB
DT: THE CALLER SAID A TRUCK HE USE TO OWN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SLIDING FORWARD. THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE CALLER STATED IT WAS NOT FIXED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED LATELY. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER GAVE VEHI…
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DT: THE CALLER SAID A TRUCK HE USE TO OWN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SLIDING FORWARD. THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE CALLER STATED IT WAS NOT FIXED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED LATELY. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER GAVE VEHICLE TO HIS SON, WHO HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER . *AK
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF VERY EASILY. WE ARE NOW UNABLE TO RECLINE BOTH SEATS IN MY TRUCK. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID "THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY S-10" (PER THE PARTS COUNTER & SERVICE DEPARTMENT). I WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND T…
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DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF VERY EASILY. WE ARE NOW UNABLE TO RECLINE BOTH SEATS IN MY TRUCK. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID "THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY S-10" (PER THE PARTS COUNTER & SERVICE DEPARTMENT). I WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE HANDLE, THEY WANTED $600 TO FIX THIS! I COULD BUY A LAZY BOY RECLINER FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS. THE PARTS DEPT. GUY TOLD ME THAT THEY REDESIGNED THIS RECLINER BECAUSE THEY WERE HAVING SO PROBLEMS WITH THE OLD ONE. *JB
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RELEASE LEVERS HAVE BROKEN OFF. *JB
SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM OPERATES POORLY.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE ONE HAND TO PULL THE LEVER AND USE THE OTHER ON TO THE SEAT BACK TO GET IT TO OPERATE. *NM
THE RECLINE HANDLES ON BOTH OF MY SEATS SNAPPED OFF THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE USED. I TOOK IT TI THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEATS INORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM... THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I BROKE THEM BY APPLYING TO MUCH FORCE TO THE SEAT RECLINE LEVERS. I A…
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THE RECLINE HANDLES ON BOTH OF MY SEATS SNAPPED OFF THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE USED. I TOOK IT TI THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEATS INORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM... THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I BROKE THEM BY APPLYING TO MUCH FORCE TO THE SEAT RECLINE LEVERS. I AM ONLY 5,2 AND I DONT THINK I COULD APPLY THAT MUCH FORCE TO BREAK METAL UNLESS THEY WERE DEFECTIVE TO BEGINE WITH. I WOULD ACCEPT IT IF ONLY ONE BROKE BUT WHEN BOTH OF THEM BROKE THIS IS A LITTLE MORE THAN COINCIDENCE... I WOULD LIKE CHEVEROLET TO RECALL THESE OR ISSUE A REPAIR PART.*AK
WHILE RECLINING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE LEVER BROKE WITHOUT ANY FORCE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE LEVER BROKE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. *AK NO FORCE WAS USED IN EITHER INCIDENTS THEY SIMPLY BROKE DURING NORMAL USE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY $186.00 EACH. GM REFUSES TO REPAIR THE SEATS AND T…
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WHILE RECLINING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE LEVER BROKE WITHOUT ANY FORCE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE LEVER BROKE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. *AK NO FORCE WAS USED IN EITHER INCIDENTS THEY SIMPLY BROKE DURING NORMAL USE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY $186.00 EACH. GM REFUSES TO REPAIR THE SEATS AND THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL KNOWING THERE IS A DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATS. *CB ALSO THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE JUMP DOOR EXTENDED CAB BROKE. *JB
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, I OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER WITH 23000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT RECLINERS THREE TIMES ALREADY ALSO THE OIL COOLER LINES ON A 4.3L ENGINE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THIS UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT FURTHER AND NOTICED THAT ALOT OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD SAME PR…
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THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, I OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER WITH 23000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT RECLINERS THREE TIMES ALREADY ALSO THE OIL COOLER LINES ON A 4.3L ENGINE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THIS UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT FURTHER AND NOTICED THAT ALOT OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS . I BELIEVE THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. THANKS. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
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.
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
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