IllustrationHOIST ASSEMBLY/CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE SNAPED AND TIRE FELL OFF.
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
Equipment complaints
20 reportsBRAKES PULL DUE TO FAILURE OF THE CALIPERS AND PADS.
THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPS, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP ONTO THE ROADWAY. HAS HAPPENED TO DRIVER ONCE BUT KNOWS OF OTHER CASES.
WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKES SLIP AND THEN GRAB AGAIN IN RIGHT TURNS, THIS ONLY OCCURS IN HOT WEATHER. TAPE PLAYER DID NOT WORK, IT WOULD EAT TAP…
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WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKES SLIP AND THEN GRAB AGAIN IN RIGHT TURNS, THIS ONLY OCCURS IN HOT WEATHER. TAPE PLAYER DID NOT WORK, IT WOULD EAT TAPES. DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW MADE A POPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST USED, DEALER LUBED AND ADJUSTED LEFT WINDOW TRACK. *SLC
RECALL--BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE WERE ROTTING AWAY. 2 CLUTCH REPAIRS. AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SPARK PLUG BLEW. ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OWNER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HER RIGHTS ARE REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT SHE CAN RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AS A "LEMON."
ONE OR MORE OF THE THREE WIRES HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE RACK IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING RACK/TIRE TO DRAG. *DSH
VEHICLES SPARE TIRE UNDER CAR CABLE BROKE AND TIRE CAME OFF ONTO HWY WHILE DRIVING. TT
ABS: WHEN WET, BRAKES IMMEDIATELY LOCK UP; COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT; NO WARNING. TT CONSUMER STATES FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN WET AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF THE PEDAL, THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM 5 TIMES WITHOUT FINDING THE CAUSE, CONSUMER NO LONGER WANTS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY…
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ABS: WHEN WET, BRAKES IMMEDIATELY LOCK UP; COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT; NO WARNING. TT CONSUMER STATES FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN WET AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF THE PEDAL, THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM 5 TIMES WITHOUT FINDING THE CAUSE, CONSUMER NO LONGER WANTS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY DEFECT, DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS TO THE ABS WIRING. TAPPING NOISE IN ENGINE AFTER COLD START UP. CLUTCH PEDAL SQUEAKING, FIRST TIME DEALER LUBRICATED BUSHING, THE SECOND TIME DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH PEDAL. AC DRIPS WATER ON RIGHT FLOOR, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. LATCH AND BOLTS FELL OFF OF TAIL GATE. *SLC
HAD TO GET BRAKES REPLACED BRAKES FAILURE. TT BRAKES WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND MAKE CLUNKING NOISES. DRIVER MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST PROPERLY. SPEAKER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *SLC
THE HOIST FOR THE SPARE TIRE SNAPPED FOR THE THIRD TIME AND THEY WON'T FIX IT AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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