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1996 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 34 of 665 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 209 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

110 crash reports11 fire reports50 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

70 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON MAY 23 2000 THE VEHICAL WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR WAS DIAGNOSNED AS THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED. THEN ON OCT 17 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A HEATING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED. THE WORK WAS DONE PER BULLETIN 99-…

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ON MAY 23 2000 THE VEHICAL WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR WAS DIAGNOSNED AS THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED. THEN ON OCT 17 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A HEATING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS FLUSHED. THE WORK WAS DONE PER BULLETIN 99-06-012-012. I JUST DISCOVERED TODAY THAT THE ENGINE HAS A RATTLING SOUND. IT SOUNDS LIKE A BUCKET OF BOLTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740053

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

MECHANICS EVALUATION IS THAT POSSIBLE FAILURE COULD BE FROM DEX-COOL COOLANT ERODING GASKETS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736178

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSeats

THE BOLT ON THE DRIVERS SEATBACK SHEARED CAUSING THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO FALL TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION./COOLANT BECAME RUSTY CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO BECOME CLOGED WHICH CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #733958

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

FRONT WHEEL BEARING LEAKED FLUID CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554345

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR SMOG. INFORMED BY MECHANIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED & NEEDED REPAIRING. MANIFOLD PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO FOR SAME CRACK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869123

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #866510

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO ENGINE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO CYLINDERS. ENGINE HAD TO BE RE-BORED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720291

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ENGINE CUT OFF, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP AND VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857774

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAID COOLANT AND OIL INTERMIXED IN THE CRANKSHAFT WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #857498

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THEY SAY MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT ONE THAT SEIZES BUT IT IS LOCKING UP AND BUCKING FOR SOME REASON. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE, THEN SPEED UP TO GET IT TO STOP BUCKING. ANY IDEAS? THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED W/LIMITED WARRANTY. I CAN'T AFFORD $65. EVERYTIME I NEED AN ESTIMATE (DOWN TIME) AND THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE R…

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THEY SAY MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT ONE THAT SEIZES BUT IT IS LOCKING UP AND BUCKING FOR SOME REASON. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE, THEN SPEED UP TO GET IT TO STOP BUCKING. ANY IDEAS? THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED W/LIMITED WARRANTY. I CAN'T AFFORD $65. EVERYTIME I NEED AN ESTIMATE (DOWN TIME) AND THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE RECALL. HOW CAN THEY TELL WHICH ONES (NOT JUST VIN) REGARDING SPECIAL TORQUE TOOL.. ALSO, WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY FROM MANUFACTURER ON THE REAR OXYGEN SENSORS? I HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. THEY SAY IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE WATER-COOLING SYSTEM. IT SUCKED ALL MY COOLANT THRU ENGINE, BLEW OUT BACK. MY SENSOR IN REAR WAS CLOGGED...DIRECT RESULT...THEY SAY IT COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN PAST CAT. CONVERTOR, ALTHOUGH BLUE WAS BLOWING OUT MY TAILPIPE... THEY WON'T FIX. I AM JUST CURIOUS AS TO HOW I CAN KEEP FROM THEM BLOWING SMOKE UP MY SKIRT. THANKS, I'M SINGLE, FEMALE AND THEY SAW ME COMING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #718308

Official recalls

7

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

99V193000 · 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.

98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

97V146001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 11, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

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.

97V008001 · Visibility:windshield

Jan 27, 1997

THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.

Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.

96V035000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Feb 22, 1996

SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

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

4

EA99018 · 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

EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation

Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

Seat Belts:front:webbing

NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.

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.