IllustrationTHIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP ABOUT 8 TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WITH 5 TIMES BEING DOCUMENTED. PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF IT. NEARLY ALL THE LIGHT SWITCHES WERE CHANGED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC EYE FOR THE LIGHTS.
1998 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
170–25K
3725–50K
6350–75K
5675–100K
35100–150K
11150K+
219 reports with mileage · 394 unknown
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 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
61 crash reports9 fire reports36 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
50 reportsBATTERY POST RUPTURED AND DAMAGED THE WIRES CAUSING RUST TO OCCUR ON ALL AREA AFFECTED BATTERY CABLE AND STARTER. YH
NOTE: THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO MY EARLIER ODI REPORT # 713057, FILED VIA THE INTERNET TWO DAYS AGO ON 10/09/99 REGARDING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE EXTREME DIFFICULTY BLOWING THE HORN ON CERTAIN 1998 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SERVICE REP AT SULLIVAN CHEVROLET IN ROSEVILLE, CA, HAD PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS…
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NOTE: THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO MY EARLIER ODI REPORT # 713057, FILED VIA THE INTERNET TWO DAYS AGO ON 10/09/99 REGARDING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE EXTREME DIFFICULTY BLOWING THE HORN ON CERTAIN 1998 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SERVICE REP AT SULLIVAN CHEVROLET IN ROSEVILLE, CA, HAD PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNREPAIRABLE BECAUSE OF A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE IS INDEED A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. BUT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER A SECOND TIME -- AND AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA TWO DAYS EARLIER -- THE DEALER'S QUALITY CONTROL EXPERT, ROBERT POTTER, WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PARTIALLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG AND HORN ASSEMBLY ON MY ONE-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE AND USING A CROWBAR TO BEND THE HORN ASSEMBLY AND AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKET OUTWARD TO ALLOW MORE "PLAY" BETWEEN THE HORN RING AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DESIGN DEFECT TURNS OUT TO BE TOO LITTLE PLAY BETWEEN THE HORN RING AND THE STEERING WHEEL, SO THAT WHEN YOU PRESS THE HORN RING, IT BUMPS AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE HORN -- THUS REQUIRING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF THUMB PRESSURE TO FORCE THE HORN RING PAST THE OBSTRUCTION TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT TO BLOW THE HORN IN A SUDDEN EMERGENCY. THE LOCAL SERVICE REP SAID THEY HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THE 1998 CHEVY S10 HORN IS MUCH HARDER TO BLOW ON ONE SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAN THE OTHER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO HAVE THE HORN ASSEMBLIES ADJUSTED TO SAFE TOLERANCE LEVELS TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CLUTCH CABLE BROKE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WIRE HARNEES SHORTED OUT/ BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY/ THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE WITHIN THE VEHICLE, AND THE LEFT COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE CONSUMER RELEASES THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE HESITATES AND SOMETIMES HAS LITTLE POWER. THE CONSUMER SMELLS FUEL AND SULFER, THE DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. THE STARTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THE CLUTCH LOCKS UP IN REVERSE AND …
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THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE CONSUMER RELEASES THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE HESITATES AND SOMETIMES HAS LITTLE POWER. THE CONSUMER SMELLS FUEL AND SULFER, THE DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. THE STARTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THE CLUTCH LOCKS UP IN REVERSE AND IS NOISY. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. THE FAN CLUTCH WAS NOISY. *SLC
THE PICKUP WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ABOUT SIX O CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. THEN ABOUT THREE O CLOCK IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE CHEIF SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SPARK IN THE DASH AREA.
THE VEHICLE CRANKS BUT WOULD NOT START SOME TIMES.YH
THERE IS MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS TRUCK
I HIT HEAD ON AT 30MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN OVER PROPERLY WHEN I TURN THE KEY.
THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IN AUGUST 1998. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND RETURNED ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THERE. THEY COULD NOT JUMP THE TRUCK OFF. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIERSON CHEVROLET…
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THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IN AUGUST 1998. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND RETURNED ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. SHE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO GET THERE. THEY COULD NOT JUMP THE TRUCK OFF. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIERSON CHEVROLET). THEY KEPT THE TRUCK ABOUT 3 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. THIS WAS SATISFACTORY TO ME. THEN IN APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER, 1998, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. SHE WAS COMING DOWN A VERY STEEP MOUNTAIN (231S.) SHE PUT HER HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT AND WHEN SHE DID THE LIGHTS WENT OUT..AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON (CHECK ENGINE, OIL, SEAT BELTS) JUST LIKE THE TRUCK HAD GONE DEAD. HER IMMEDIATE REFLEX WAS TO DIM THE LIGHTS. WHEN SHE DID, THEY CAME BACK ON. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO PIERSON THE NEXT MORNING. THEY KEPT THE TRUCK 4 DAYS, AND COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO COME AND GET THE TRUCK AND RETURN THE RENTAL CAR. I ASKED IF THEY KNEW WHY THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND THEY (BRENT ELLISON) SAID NO. ALSO, HE SAID COULD NOT GUARANTEE ME THE LIGHTS WOULD EVER GO OUT AGAIN, NOR COULD HE GUARANTEE ME THEY WOULD NOT GO OUT AGAIN. I ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD PUT HIS CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE AND HE SAID YES. I CALLED HIM A LIAR AND TOLD HIM THAT WAS NOT A RISK I WAS WILLING TO TAKE. I TOLD HIM HE COULD HAVE THE TRUCK ,AND I WOULD CONTACT MY ATTORNEY. HE TOLD ME TO DO WHATEVER I FELT I HAD TO. HE NEVER TOLD ME TO CONTACT CHEVROLET. I WAS FINALLY TOLD BY GMAC TO CONTACT CHEVROLET AND FILE A COMPLAINT. I DID AND IT WAS REFUSED. WE WENT TO GET THE TRUCK TO REMOVE THE CD PLAYER. THE TRUCK WENT DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4LANE IN FRONT OF PIERSON. WOULD NOT START...HAD TO BE TOWED. I HAVE FILED A SECOND COMPLAINT. I AM OUT OF ROOM BUT THERE IS MORE TO THIS. *AK
Official recalls
600V374000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Nov 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS CONTAINING A NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERY PACK. THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN SOFTWARE WITHIN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE INTENDED TO DISABLE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITH THE BATTERY PACK EXCEEDS A PRESCRIBED VALUE. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ILLUMINATE THE "SERVICE NOW" AND "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" TELLTALES AND CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODEL INSTEAD OF BEING DISABLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TELLTALES ARE IGNORED AND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN, HEAT COULD BUILD UP AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.
00V220000 · Exterior Lighting
Aug 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
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.
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.
97V208001 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Nov 25, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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
3EA05008 · Tailgate Support Cables
Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed May 19, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
RQ04012 · Tailgate Support Cable(s) Break
Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.
EA99012 · Post Collision Fuel System Integrity
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGE THAT IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASHES, THE SUBJECT FUEL TANKS MAY CONTACT THE PROP SHAFT REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT COMPONENTS WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PUNCTURE THE TANK.