IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
90–25K
2225–50K
2850–75K
1475–100K
13100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
231 reportsAT 50MPH ON A WET ROAD THE BRAKES INSTEAD OF PULSING AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO, THE PEDAL GOT HARD AND I HAD NO BRAKE OF ANY KIND. CAUSING US TO CRASH THRU A FENCE AND INTO SOME TREES. *AK
MY OIL LINES HAVE FAILED TWICE. BASED ON AN S-10 MAILING LIST I BELONG TO, FAILURE OF THESE IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IN FACT, AFTER 1 WEEK OF BUYING THIS TRUCK NEW, I NOTICED THE OIL LINES WERE LEAKING. *AK
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
CONSUMER WAS GOING 5MPH AND REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREACHING HALT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER FOUND A FACTORY FLAW HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN REAR END DIFFERENTIAL. INSIDE OF DIFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED, BUT WASN'T ABLE TO FIND STRESS POINT. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT UP & DOWN THE LINE.*AK *SLC
ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE EXTENDED CAB BROKE WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. NLM
TWO GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S P23575R15 TIRES REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE, TIRES FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON, ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A FLAT AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *CJ
BRAKES DID NOT HOLD IN ANY FASHION. THEY DID NOT EVEN PULSE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. THE PEDAL WAS HARD, BUT THERE WAS NO MARKS EVEN IN THE DIRT SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP. *AK
PREVIOUS COMPLAINT OF NO START CONDITION-DEALER SUGGESTS NEW FUEL PUMP AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF 1000.00. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT FIX RELATES TO A FAULTY GAS CAP. IT PUTS THE FUEL SYSTEM IN A DEEP VACUUM ON A HOT OR WARM RESTART, THIS PART COST 6.60 AT THE LOCAL PARTS STORE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER OVERLOOKED THIS AND CHARG…
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PREVIOUS COMPLAINT OF NO START CONDITION-DEALER SUGGESTS NEW FUEL PUMP AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF 1000.00. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT FIX RELATES TO A FAULTY GAS CAP. IT PUTS THE FUEL SYSTEM IN A DEEP VACUUM ON A HOT OR WARM RESTART, THIS PART COST 6.60 AT THE LOCAL PARTS STORE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER OVERLOOKED THIS AND CHARGED ME 72.00 FOR A FUEL PRESSURE TEST AND THEN TRIED TO SELL ME A 1000.00 JOB BY SHOTGUNNING IN A PART! *AK
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
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