IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ENGINE PLUG CAME OFF, CAUSING OIL TO DRAIN OUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK
1994 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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
Limited mileage data: 40 of 963 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 520 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 239 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
121 crash reports7 fire reports30 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
66 reportsEGR VALVE GETS JAMMED UP WITH CARBON, WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO SURGE/ BACKFIRE AND COMPLETELY STOP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE DECEMBER OF 1998. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLLETIN # 96067(A) THAT REFERENCES THIS PROBLEM. *AK DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE…
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EGR VALVE GETS JAMMED UP WITH CARBON, WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO SURGE/ BACKFIRE AND COMPLETELY STOP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE DECEMBER OF 1998. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLLETIN # 96067(A) THAT REFERENCES THIS PROBLEM. *AK DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. *YH
HAD ENGINE KNOCK AT IDLE SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER FIXED BEFORE THE WARRANTY WENT OUT. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN, THE DEALER SAID SORRY ABOUT THAT.
EGR VALVE CLOGGED UP EVERY 12 MONTHS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND URGED CONSUMER TO USE ONLY CHEVRON FUEL. CAN NHTSA PLEASE SHINE SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER.*AK
FUEL PUMPS REPLACED OVER 5 TIMES, INJECTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES, COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKES FROM FIRST DAT OF OWNERSHIP, THEY DONT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A PANIC STOP, 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKES!!! INJECTOR LINES WORN THROUGH BY RUBBING ON FUEL LINE UNDER PLENUM MULTIPLE TIMES CAUSES MAJOR FUEL LEAKAGE!! POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD DEALER CO…
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FUEL PUMPS REPLACED OVER 5 TIMES, INJECTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES, COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKES FROM FIRST DAT OF OWNERSHIP, THEY DONT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A PANIC STOP, 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKES!!! INJECTOR LINES WORN THROUGH BY RUBBING ON FUEL LINE UNDER PLENUM MULTIPLE TIMES CAUSES MAJOR FUEL LEAKAGE!! POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD DEALER CONTACTED, CHEVROLET CONTTACTED. *AK
FRONT BRAKES GRAB AFTER TRUCK SITS IN RAIN OR OTHER WET WEATHER CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN CONTROL. *MJS
MY ENGINE HAS BEEN KNOCKING FOR AWHILE NOW. RECENTLEY IT STARTED TO WHINE OR SQUEAL AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED I SHOULD EXPECT THE PISTONS AND ENGINE BEARINGS TO DO THAT WITH A TRUCK THAT AGE. I ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON TRUCK. THEY ALSO TOLD ME CHEVROLET PUT OUT A TSB ON THAT PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFAC…
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MY ENGINE HAS BEEN KNOCKING FOR AWHILE NOW. RECENTLEY IT STARTED TO WHINE OR SQUEAL AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED I SHOULD EXPECT THE PISTONS AND ENGINE BEARINGS TO DO THAT WITH A TRUCK THAT AGE. I ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON TRUCK. THEY ALSO TOLD ME CHEVROLET PUT OUT A TSB ON THAT PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESULTS. THEY CALLED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I SENT GM A LETTER AND OPENED A PROBLEM REPORT WITH THEM TO LET THEM KNOW HOW DISSATISFIED I WAS WITH THE EXPLANATION I RECEIVED ON THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT. I COPIED THE DEALER ON THE LETTER. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO KNOW FROM A SOURCE LIKE THIS THAT I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR PRODUCT OR THEIR EXPLANATION. *AK
WE HAVE PAID NEARLY $1,000 FOR THESE REPAIRS. THERE ARE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALL NOTICES FOR SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS "NORMAL WEAR & TEAR" EVEN THOUGH IT WENT OUT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE FUEL INJECTOR WENT OUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. SEVERAL OTHER REP…
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WE HAVE PAID NEARLY $1,000 FOR THESE REPAIRS. THERE ARE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALL NOTICES FOR SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS "NORMAL WEAR & TEAR" EVEN THOUGH IT WENT OUT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE FUEL INJECTOR WENT OUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. SEVERAL OTHER REPAIR SHOPS INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.
AIR CONDTIONER/ HEATER ELECTRICAL CONTROL SHORT OUT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. TOXIC FUMES WERE SPILLED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE, CAUSING SICKNESS AND POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD THE ENGINE IDLES HIGH . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Official recalls
599V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
96V195000 · 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.
94V228000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 21, 1994
A VACUUM HOSE CAN DETACH FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE BACKFIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED ENGINE IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AFTER DEPLETION OF THE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CLAMP ON THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSIST.
94V014000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jan 26, 1994
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND THE VENT TUBE DURING A TEST. THE LOSS OF FUEL WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, IT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES AND THE VENT TUBE TO CRACK. IF THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED, FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THESE VEHICLES.
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
5EA99018 · Spare Tire Separation From Vehicle
Opened Jun 30, 1999 · Closed Oct 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
No summary supplied.
PE99004 · Separation Of Spare Tire From Vehicle
Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Jun 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
ALLEGED THAT WIRE CABLE/WINCH ASSEMBLY WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY UDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION
PE96048 · Loss Of Steering Control
Opened Jul 19, 1996 · Closed Nov 13, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
lower clamp of the steering linkage intershaft may separate fro steering gear shaft due to disengagement of clamp bolt and/or improper fit of the lower clamp with the steering shaft.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
PE94046 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Jun 17, 1994 · Closed Oct 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available