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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

What owners actually said

665 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Unknown Or OtherCrash

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714898

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Power Train

THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SES INDICATOR ON MY DASH AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THAT CAUSES THE LIGHT TO COME ON DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING. WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE ONTO LOCAL ROADS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTEMELY HARD JOLTING THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING THIS WAY FOR A WHILE THE HARD SHIFT STOPS BUT THE LIGHT REMAINS O…

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THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SES INDICATOR ON MY DASH AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THAT CAUSES THE LIGHT TO COME ON DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING. WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE ONTO LOCAL ROADS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTEMELY HARD JOLTING THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING THIS WAY FOR A WHILE THE HARD SHIFT STOPS BUT THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I CAN GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY GROUND FOR A SHORT TIME AND RECONNECTING. THIS RESETS THE CAR COMPUTER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TWICE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DRAW A CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. I WAS CHARGED FOR BOTH ATTEMPTS. I WAS TOLD TO JUST DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND THEN BRING IT BACK IN. THIS IS LUDICROUS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS. I ALSO TOOK MY CAR TO A VERY REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE A CODE 1870 WAS PULLED. THERE WERE FIVE OTHER CHEVY TRUCKS THERE WITH THE SAME CODE PROBLEM. MY TRANSMISSION MAN DOES SOME TRANSMISSION WORK FOR THE CHEVY DEALER ACROSS THE STREET AND WHEN HE MENTIONED THE CODE TO THEIR SERVICE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AS THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON PROBLEM, A PRODUCTION DEFECT, THAT THEY WISH WOULD GO AWAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN SO FAR THAT YOU CANNOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN OR IF THE TRANSMISSION WILL WORK WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. A REAL POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT EXISTS, YET MUMS THE WORD FROM CHEVROLET. THEY WOULD RATHER REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND LET THE CONSUMER PAY FOR IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT THE SENSOR IS, SINCE IT CONTROLS THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY PROBLEM CONTINUES EVERY TIME I DRIVE FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES A HIGH SPEEDS. SO FAR I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM CHEVROLET. I GUESS THEY WOULD RATHER PAY LATER.

NHTSA ODI #714529

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL GOES PARTIALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULITNG IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851993

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ANTI-LOCK INDICATOR COMES ON UPON START UP OF VEHICLE AND STAYS ON. PERIODICALLY THE ANIT-LOCK INDICATOR WILL GO OFF FOR ANYWHERE FROM 1-30 MINUTES AND COME BACK ON. IT CONTINUALLY SWITCHES DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. DURING THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE TWO STATES THE (RED) BRAKE INDICATOR COMES ON MOMENTARILY, DURING WITCH N…

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THE ANTI-LOCK INDICATOR COMES ON UPON START UP OF VEHICLE AND STAYS ON. PERIODICALLY THE ANIT-LOCK INDICATOR WILL GO OFF FOR ANYWHERE FROM 1-30 MINUTES AND COME BACK ON. IT CONTINUALLY SWITCHES DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. DURING THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE TWO STATES THE (RED) BRAKE INDICATOR COMES ON MOMENTARILY, DURING WITCH NO BRAKING IS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #713937

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Air

HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM THE BEGINNING. I WOULD BE DRIVING IN POURING-DOWN RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD GO OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER. RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO WORK ON MY BRAKES THE FIRST YEAR AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THEREAFTER. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY AIR-CONDITIONER DONE. T…

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HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM THE BEGINNING. I WOULD BE DRIVING IN POURING-DOWN RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD GO OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER. RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO WORK ON MY BRAKES THE FIRST YEAR AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THEREAFTER. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY AIR-CONDITIONER DONE. THE LATEST WAS MY WATER PUMP THAT I FIXED MYSELF. THE WORSE WAS MY MOTOR. I HAD BEEN STALLED A NUMBER OF TIMES TILL FINALLY IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MICHAEL HOLLEY CHEVROLET IN LAKELAND (THE TOWN I WORKED IN). THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY SMARTCARE SAYING I HAD NOT CHANGED THE OIL. THAT WAS NOT TRUE SINCE I HAD CHANGED IT MYSELF AND HAD IT CHANGED ALSO. THEY WANTED OVER 3000 FOR A NEW MOTOR. I AM AND WAS STILL PAYING ON MY TRUCK AND DID NOT HAVE THAT MUCH CASH. I HAD TO TOW IT AT MY MOTHERS AND PARK IT. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT THE CHEVROLET DEALERS HAD REMOVED THE ALTERNATOR BELT AND HAD LEFT IT LOOSE. THAT DID NOT GIVE ME ANY CONFIDENCE IN THEM. 4 MONTHS LATER MY MOTHER'S CAR WAS TOTALLED AND SHE PAID FOR ME TO GET A MOTOR FROM AN AMOCO DEALER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1999 MY MOTHER WAS SURFING THE NET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE ALMOST FROM THE FIRST AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED AT ALL. I WROTE TO THE HOME OFFICE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I STILL OWE 2 YEARS PAYMENTS. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY MOTOR WENT OUT ON ME SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE VERY WELL HAPPENED. I FEEL SURE THAT I WILL NEVER TRUST IN CHEVY'S PRODUCTS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #713753

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851277

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR AXLE FELL OFF WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THERFORE TRUCK DID NOT TURN OVER. COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID INFERIOR PLASTIC PARTS USED. FURTHERMORE, ANTI- LOCK BREAKS MALFUNCTION WHEN THE GROUND IS WET/DAMP. THE FLY WHEEL IS GONE. THE AIRCONDITIONER IS BROKEN. THE CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. …

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REAR AXLE FELL OFF WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THERFORE TRUCK DID NOT TURN OVER. COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID INFERIOR PLASTIC PARTS USED. FURTHERMORE, ANTI- LOCK BREAKS MALFUNCTION WHEN THE GROUND IS WET/DAMP. THE FLY WHEEL IS GONE. THE AIRCONDITIONER IS BROKEN. THE CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. THE TAIL GATE IS BOKEN. NOT TO MENTION 7 RECALLS ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI #713325

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Electrical System

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STARTER ENGAGING ITSELF WITHOUT ANYONE IN VEHICLE OR KEY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO GARAGE DOOR DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STARTER RELAY WHICH WAS SHORTING OUT. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548953

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL SPONTANEOUSLY CUT OFF AND STAY OFF FOF A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO A COUPLE OF MINUTES. WHEN LIGHT SWITCH GETS WARM CONTACT IS OPEN AND LIGHTS FAIL UNTIL SWITCH COOLS SLIGHTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850391

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST 40000 MILES, THE DEALER CLAIMS NOT TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #713180

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.