IllustrationWINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS INTERMITTENT. FUNCTIONS NORMALLY, OR WILL NOT START, OR WILL NOT STOP. UNABLE TO PREDICT FUNCTION. *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
What owners actually said
963 reportsWHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND WILL CAUSE CONSUMER TO HAVE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS RECALL 98V150000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX 30MPH AND BEGAN BRAKING. ONCE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO CONTINOUSLY PUMP BRAKES FOR BRAKING ABILITY TO RETURN. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. ON 7/19/01 INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO C…
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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX 30MPH AND BEGAN BRAKING. ONCE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO CONTINOUSLY PUMP BRAKES FOR BRAKING ABILITY TO RETURN. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. ON 7/19/01 INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER BELIVES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS.*JB
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH HAD A SHORT IN WIRING THAT WOULD CAUSE WIPERS TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF RAINSTORMS, OR THEY WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. SMOKE WOULD COME UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AS A RESULT. ALSO AFFECTED THE TURN SIGNALS AT TIMES.*AK
IN SITUATIONS WHERE EMERGENCY STOPS ARE NEEDED ON ROAD SURFACES THAT ARE COVERED WITH GRAVEL, WET, OR OTHERWISE TRACTION CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT, THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELIABLE. THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THIS CLASS VEHICLE IS FAULTY, AND PRODUCES UNRELIABLE PREFORMANCE AT TIMES WHEN ONE WOULD EXPECT RELIABLE AND DEPENDABL…
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IN SITUATIONS WHERE EMERGENCY STOPS ARE NEEDED ON ROAD SURFACES THAT ARE COVERED WITH GRAVEL, WET, OR OTHERWISE TRACTION CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT, THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELIABLE. THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THIS CLASS VEHICLE IS FAULTY, AND PRODUCES UNRELIABLE PREFORMANCE AT TIMES WHEN ONE WOULD EXPECT RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE. SINCE BUYING THIS TRUCK I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 REAR END COLLISIONS IN WHICH THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT FOUND WHATEVER WAS IN FRONT OF ME. IN ALL 3 CASES IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER CAR PRODUCING, 2 POSSIBLY 3, WHIPLASH CLAIMS PLUS VECHICLE DAMAGE CLAIMS. UNTIL BUYING THIS VEHICLE I NEVER HAD A REAR END ACCIDENT. ON 7/7/2002, ON A WET BUT LEVEL PRAVEMENT AS I APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION WITH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WAS RED FOR THE DIRECTION I WAS GOING. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS I APPROACHED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WENT OUT AND IT APPEAR THE CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON, I HIT MY BRAKE PEDDLE HARD AND FIRM. INTIALLY THERE WAS SOME BRAKING SENSATION AN A "WHIRRRR-ING" SOUND BUT I KEPT GOING FORWARD UNTIL I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT ME. WHILE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK WAS MINIMAL, ABOUT $900, THE REAR OF THE 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I HIT, WAS CONSIDERABLE, FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER SAYS SHE WAS NOT HURT BUT I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF A WHIPLASH CLAIM IS FILED. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES AND TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WORK HAD BEEN DONE. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED, ROAD TESTED AND DECLARED TO BE IN PROPER CONDITION AND "FUNCTION AS DESIGNED". THE KEY HERE IS THE PHRASE FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. WHAT IS NOT SAID IS THAT THE DESIGN OF THIS BRAKE SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OF UNPREDICTABLE LENGTH OR CONTROL OF THE DRIVER, UNDER THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY COLLISIONS. NEITHER CHEVROLET OR GM GIVE A WARNING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR BY OTHER MEANS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IT WILL NOT GO TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO IT SOUNDS AS IF FLUID IN THE HOSES HAS SOME SORT OF BUILDUP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK
ABS BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER 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