IllustrationUNWILLING TO ACCEPT BLAME FOR POOR ENGINEERING. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
1997 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1997 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: 109 of 469 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.
- Visibility. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
62 crash reports8 fire reports33 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
95 reportsWHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT WAS NOT RAINING AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT, CONSUMER PRESSED ON BRAKES, VEHICLE STOPPED, AND THEN BRAKE PEDAL RELEASED. CONSUMER WENT INTO AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN ICY CONDITIONS ABS KICKS IN AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T STOP. THERE IS A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHES UP (SEVERLY). THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS IN PANIC STOP CONDITIONS ON WET AND DRY PAVEMENT. *AK
THE VEHICLES ANTI LOCK BRAKES SEEM TO (AT RANDOM) ENGAGE FAR TO EARLY UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND NEAR MISSES. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH AND THE LIGHTS CHANGE, WHEN APPLYING NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE TO STOP THE TRUCK THE BRAKE PEDAL …
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THE VEHICLES ANTI LOCK BRAKES SEEM TO (AT RANDOM) ENGAGE FAR TO EARLY UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND NEAR MISSES. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH AND THE LIGHTS CHANGE, WHEN APPLYING NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE TO STOP THE TRUCK THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL DROP TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS BRAKES KICK IN EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO DANGEROUS DISTANCES AS A RESULT. IF THE BRAKES HAD REMAINED NORMAL AND THE ABS NOT ENGAGED THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF DISTANCE FOR THAT SPEED. IN SHORT I CAN STOP MY 69 CADILLAC FASTER AT TIMES THAN I CAN THIS PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES NOW FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HOWEVER I DID RECENTLY NOTICE THAT UP TO THE 1996 MODEL YEAR FOR THE S-10 THE TRUCKS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A ABS PROBLEM.....I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 97 MODEL YEAR AS WELL.*AK
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH NEARLY RESULTED IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, COMPUTER SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL BECOMES MUSHY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
EA 94 038/ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM. WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON ROUGH SURFACE OR BUMPS WHEELS LOCKUP. VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. ALSO, WHEN BACKING UP, MAKES NOISE, SPRONG, SPRONG, AND SPRONG AS PLUNKING ON A…
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EA 94 038/ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ABS SYSTEM. WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON ROUGH SURFACE OR BUMPS WHEELS LOCKUP. VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. ALSO, WHEN BACKING UP, MAKES NOISE, SPRONG, SPRONG, AND SPRONG AS PLUNKING ON A BANJO, LIKE A SPRING LETTING GO. *AK
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES NOT STOPPING VEHICLE WHILE IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE, SLIDS 20 FEET THROUGH INTERSECTION WHILE GOING 25 MPH, NO ACCIDENT, NO FATALITIES, NO BRAKES EITHER. *AK
ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED-DEALER CLAIMS BATTERY ACID WAS THE CAUSE. WHAT IS AVOIDING FUTURE FAILURES? I WOULD LIKE MORE INFOMATION SO THAT I MIGHT MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT DO CAR MANUFACTURERS DO WHEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAPPENS, THEY SEEMED KIND OF MATTER-OF-FACT ABOUT THE WHOL…
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ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED-DEALER CLAIMS BATTERY ACID WAS THE CAUSE. WHAT IS AVOIDING FUTURE FAILURES? I WOULD LIKE MORE INFOMATION SO THAT I MIGHT MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT DO CAR MANUFACTURERS DO WHEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAPPENS, THEY SEEMED KIND OF MATTER-OF-FACT ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION IS HELPFUL. PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW/ICE/ IN COLD WEATHER & HAD APPLIED (ABS) BRAKES, VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH FIRE TRUCK. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER NO PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKES AFTER BEING TOLD TOW TRUCK DRIVER. *AK
Official recalls
603V159000 · 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.
00V159000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 16, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD WEAR OFF THE CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE BRAKE PIPE, LEADING TO PREMATURE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY. WHEN BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY IS LOST, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.
00V069200 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Mar 3, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY WITH A REDESIGNED CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY.
98V177000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Aug 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. RAPID FOGGING OF THE INTERIOR GLASS CAN OCCUR WITHIN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IF (1) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 35 AND 76 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND (2) WATER HAS COLLECTED ON THE HEAT EXCHANGER DURING PREVIOUS OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISING THEM TO FOLLOW A "STOP AND WAIT" PROCEDURE TO HELP AVOID WINDOW FOGGING WHILE DRIVING.
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.
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
4RQ04002 · Driver's Seat Belt Buckle Assembly
Opened Feb 18, 2004 · Closed May 27, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:webbing
ON FEBRUARY 18, 2004, ODI OPENED THIS RECALL QUERY (RQ) BASED ON TWO FATALITY REPORTS INVOLVING MY 1997 GM S-10 PICKUP TRUCKS.EACH REPORT ALLEGED THAT THE BELTED DRIVER OCCUPANT WAS EJECTED IN A MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER CRASH.THE MY 1997 S/T SERIES PICKUPS USE AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP IN THE DRIVER SEAT BELT THAT ALLOWS THE WEBBING TO ELONGATE UP TO 10 INCHES (TO MITIGATE DRIVER INJURY IN FRONTAL CRASHES).GM ALSO USED THIS ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP SEAT BELT DESIGN IN MY1997 S/T SERIES UTILITY VEHICLES (CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA).GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V-117) TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN THESE UTILITY VEHILCES BASED ON A HIGHER FATALITY RATE OF EJECTED BELTED DRIVERS IN ROLLOVER CRASHES.BOTH FATAL CRASHES ARE SEVERE ROLLOVER CRASHES (MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER) AND BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF STRUCTURE.ODI REVIEWED THE FIELD DATA PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND COMPARED THEM TO PEER VEHICLES USING NHTSA'S FATALITY ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM (FARS) DATABASE.THE FARS DATA DID NOT INDICATE A FIELD PERFORMANCE TREND FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front
ON FEBRUARY 18, 2004, ODI OPENED THIS RECALL QUERY (RQ) BASED ON TWO FATALITY REPORTS INVOLVING MY 1997 GM S-10 PICKUP TRUCKS.EACH REPORT ALLEGED THAT THE BELTED DRIVER OCCUPANT WAS EJECTED IN A MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER CRASH.THE MY 1997 S/T SERIES PICKUPS USE AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP IN THE DRIVER SEAT BELT THAT ALLOWS THE WEBBING TO ELONGATE UP TO 10 INCHES (TO MITIGATE DRIVER INJURY IN FRONTAL CRASHES).GM ALSO USED THIS ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP SEAT BELT DESIGN IN MY1997 S/T SERIES UTILITY VEHICLES (CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA).GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V-117) TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN THESE UTILITY VEHILCES BASED ON A HIGHER FATALITY RATE OF EJECTED BELTED DRIVERS IN ROLLOVER CRASHES.BOTH FATAL CRASHES ARE SEVERE ROLLOVER CRASHES (MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER) AND BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF STRUCTURE.ODI REVIEWED THE FIELD DATA PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND COMPARED THEM TO PEER VEHICLES USING NHTSA'S FATALITY ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM (FARS) DATABASE.THE FARS DATA DID NOT INDICATE A FIELD PERFORMANCE TREND FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
ON FEBRUARY 18, 2004, ODI OPENED THIS RECALL QUERY (RQ) BASED ON TWO FATALITY REPORTS INVOLVING MY 1997 GM S-10 PICKUP TRUCKS.EACH REPORT ALLEGED THAT THE BELTED DRIVER OCCUPANT WAS EJECTED IN A MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER CRASH.THE MY 1997 S/T SERIES PICKUPS USE AN ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP IN THE DRIVER SEAT BELT THAT ALLOWS THE WEBBING TO ELONGATE UP TO 10 INCHES (TO MITIGATE DRIVER INJURY IN FRONTAL CRASHES).GM ALSO USED THIS ENERGY-ABSORBING LOOP SEAT BELT DESIGN IN MY1997 S/T SERIES UTILITY VEHICLES (CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA).GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (03V-117) TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN THESE UTILITY VEHILCES BASED ON A HIGHER FATALITY RATE OF EJECTED BELTED DRIVERS IN ROLLOVER CRASHES.BOTH FATAL CRASHES ARE SEVERE ROLLOVER CRASHES (MULTIPLE-ROTATION ROLLOVER) AND BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE ROOF STRUCTURE.ODI REVIEWED THE FIELD DATA PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND COMPARED THEM TO PEER VEHICLES USING NHTSA'S FATALITY ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM (FARS) DATABASE.THE FARS DATA DID NOT INDICATE A FIELD PERFORMANCE TREND FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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.
PE96061 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Oct 25, 1996 · Closed Feb 28, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
ON 9/9/96 NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) PERFORMED A 35 MPH BARRIER CRASH TEST WITH A 1997 CHEVROLET S10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP.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.