IllustrationELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE TURN SIGNAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE DASHBORAD. *AK
1989 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet S10 do not stand out strongly from 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
Limited mileage data: 4 of 48 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.
- Seat Belts. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
48 reportsGAS TANK LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN FILLED, OCCUPANTS CAN SMELL STRONG GAS FUMES, ODOR DIES DOWN AFTER QUARTER OF TANK HAS BEEN USED, COULD CAUSE FIRE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FELL OFF AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAILS.*AK
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLOSTER MODULE FAILURE. *AK
TAILGATE LOCK FAILED. *SD
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
STARTER FAILS TO SHUT OFF EVEN AFTER KEY IS TURNED TO OFF POSITION. *SD
PARKED ON SLIGHT DRIVEWAY, 5 SPD-TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT WILL NOT STAY IN REVERSE ONCE ENGAGED. TRUCK HAD TO BE PULLED OUT FROM REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
THE DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
GAS TANK LEAKING WHEN FILLED UP OVER 11GAL, IT IS AN 18GAL TANK. TT
Official recalls
296V195000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Oct 8, 1996
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
93V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Jan 14, 1993
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE SEGMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.
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
5EA94029 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 29, 1994 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
EA92015 · High Idle Flare
Opened May 22, 1992 · Closed May 28, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE92001 · High Idle Flare
Opened Jan 7, 1992 · Closed May 22, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE91057 · Headlight Switch Failure
Opened Mar 6, 1991 · Closed Jul 12, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
DP90006 · Lift Gate Falls Off
Opened Apr 13, 1990 · Closed Jul 24, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
LIFT GATE FALLS OFF