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1985 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 42.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1985 Chevrolet S10

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 11 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Power Train: 4 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 3 reports
  • Seat Belts: 2 reports
  • Fuel System, Gasoline: 1 reports
  • Parking Brake: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    2
    1982    7
    1983    8
    1984    11
    1985    22
    1986    27
    1987    37
    1988
    Compare all S10 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Power Train
    4    Engine And Engine Cooling
    3    Seat Belts
    2    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Parking Brake
    1
    All reported categories
    Tires
    1    Wheels
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 0 of 11 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    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.

    • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Seat Belts. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

    What owners actually said

    11 reports
    Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2012
    Tires

    WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, THE TIRE SEPARATED WHERE THE BELT MEETS THE SIDEWALL. APPROXIMATELY 1/5 OF THE BELT SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING SMALL CHUNKS TO FLY FREE AND A FLAP OF BELT TO PEEL LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT REDUCED SPEED UNDER HAZARD WARNING, WHERE THE TIRE…

    Read full complaint

    WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, THE TIRE SEPARATED WHERE THE BELT MEETS THE SIDEWALL. APPROXIMATELY 1/5 OF THE BELT SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING SMALL CHUNKS TO FLY FREE AND A FLAP OF BELT TO PEEL LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT REDUCED SPEED UNDER HAZARD WARNING, WHERE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED BY THE SPARE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10464508

    Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
    Engine And Engine CoolingFire

    ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

    NHTSA ODI #545266

    Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1998
    Engine And Engine CoolingFire

    ENGINE FIRE.

    NHTSA ODI #540866

    Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1998
    Seat Belts

    DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH IN MALE PORTION SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #822536

    Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1997
    Fuel System, Gasoline

    INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED WATER INTO CRANKCASE, CAUSING ENGINE TO GO BAR AT 4000 MILES.

    NHTSA ODI #520360

    Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 1997
    Power Train

    REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAUSED TRUCK TO FLIP OVER.

    NHTSA ODI #514883

    Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1996
    Power TrainCrash

    DRIVE SHAFT BROKE, CAUSING RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO FALL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DH

    NHTSA ODI #506700

    Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 1996
    Seat BeltsCrashInjury

    HAD AN ACCIDENT, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTAIN. TT

    NHTSA ODI #978452

    Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1995
    Parking BrakeWheels

    EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. REAR WHEELS LOCK UP EASILY IN WET WEATHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

    NHTSA ODI #976381

    Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1995
    Power Train

    SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

    NHTSA ODI #154018

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    3

    PE90039 · Spare Tire Carrier Failure

    Opened Feb 5, 1990 · Closed Jun 29, 1990

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

    There is no summary currently available

    EA89003 · Rear Axle Shaft

    Opened Nov 7, 1988 · Closed Aug 24, 1990

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

    There is no summary currently available

    PE88047 · Rear Axle Failure

    Opened Apr 19, 1988 · Closed Nov 7, 1988

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

    There is no summary currently available

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.