NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
51 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 18, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
HI I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 USED PRIVATE PARTY AND NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MY BROTHER SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY MY BROTHER IT HAD BEEN REBUILT LITERALLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE PURCHASED AND WAS SHOWN PROOF WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT SHIFTED INTO 3…
Read full complaint
HI I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 USED PRIVATE PARTY AND NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MY BROTHER SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY MY BROTHER IT HAD BEEN REBUILT LITERALLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE PURCHASED AND WAS SHOWN PROOF WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT SHIFTED INTO 3RD BY ITSELF AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE 25 MILES DOING 50 TOOK IT TO GM AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A PRESSURE PROBLEM AND WAS "RECOMMENDED" A TRANNY REBUILD AND THEN THEY CALLED THE CAR A PIECE OF @#$%^ AND WASN'T WORTH IT I PERSONALLY LOVE THE TRUCK AND THEN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 2500 DOLLARS. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK ME OUT OF IT, ALSO WHEN HOT IT SOUNDS LITERALLY LIKE A TRACTOR ON EXCEL AND STEADY SPEED IF ANY ONE HAS ANY ANSWERS PLEASE EMAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277255
60,000 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE ECM WENT OUT. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM EARLIER ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO. THE CAM SENSOR WENT OUT. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260819
99,000 miles · Jan 3, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE OIL LEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253673
114,627 miles · Apr 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER IN 1998 S-10 PICKUP IN JULY OF '07. HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST AND LOSS OF POWER IN APRIL 2008. PICKUP TOTALLY STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE, NEARLY STALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. WAS ADVISED BY ACQUA…
Read full complaint
BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER IN 1998 S-10 PICKUP IN JULY OF '07. HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST AND LOSS OF POWER IN APRIL 2008. PICKUP TOTALLY STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE, NEARLY STALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. WAS ADVISED BY ACQUAINTANCE THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL POLICY ISSUED BY GM (05021A) THAT COVERED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RESEARCHED THE SPECIAL POLICY AND FOUND OUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MAILING IN MAY 2005 NOTIFYING ME OF A POTENTIAL FAILURE OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM, I NEVER RECEIVED THE MAILING. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOOK VEHICLE TO GM DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF '!@#$% AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE BACK - THEY ESCALATED THE CLAIM AND THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP REPLACING THE FLEX JOINT & HEADER PIPE. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TO SEE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AS PROVIDED FOR IN SPECIAL POLICY. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE HUNG UP ON ME, REQUESTED THAT I TRACK DOWN MORE INFORMATION ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPAIR AND THEN NEVER REQUESTED TO SEE THE DOCUMENTATION DESPITE SEVERAL OFFERS TO FAX IT TO THEM. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REGIONAL REP WAS ALSO COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SPECIAL POLICY, AS WAS THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHNICIAN. FINALLY, GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STATING THAT IT WAS UNRELATED TO THE SPECIAL POLICY. I AM MOST INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY NO-ONE AT GM IS AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THIS SPECIAL POLICY, AND WHY I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF IT. PARTICULARLY WHEN THE DEFECT IN THE EXHAUST CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225959
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 HAS A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES. IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOKED BY A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE FAILURE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR …
Read full complaint
MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 HAS A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES. IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOKED BY A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE FAILURE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR TO REACT AND ENACT A FUEL/AIR MIXTURE THAT COOKED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CHEVROLET DEALER SAYS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 8 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190032
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
1998 CHEVY S-10 BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146437
130,000 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE HE DROVE MORE THAN 12,0000 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED THREE TIMES AND THEY ALSO SAID VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10134710
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1998 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED.*MR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME SO HOT THAT IT MELTED A HOLE IN THE BEDLINER OF THE TRUCK. AFTER THAT INCIDENT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *NM CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FOLLOW UP REGARDING FAILURE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10130214
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1998 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP ENGINE FAN EXPLODED THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK.*MR THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT TORE A HOLE IN THE HOOD 11" LONG AND 1 1/2" WIDE. THE METAL ON THE HOOD WAS PEELED BACK FROM THE FORCE. THERE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. *BF
NHTSA ODI #10121579
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OIL WAS A LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097428
Official recalls
6Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illustration