IllustrationENGINE STOPPED IN HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART...HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
51 reportsOIL HAS BEEN LEAKING ONTO SKID PLATES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT RUBBER OIL LINES FROM ENGINE TO FILTER ARE LEAKING WHILE DRIVING, THIS OIL BLOWS ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER QUESTIONED SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY SAY ALL S10 TRUCKS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *YD
SERPENTINE BELT HAS WORN THROUGH 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. WAS REPLACED FIRST TIME 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF BELT HAVING TO BE REPLACED SO FREQUENTLY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SERPENTINE BELT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL.PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
OIL WAS LEAKING FROM FUEL LINE ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID SEE A COMMON PROBLEM IN MOST OF CHEVROLET, S10'S WITH REMOTE OIL FILTER. WHEREVER THERE WAS A CRIMP IN LINE STARTED A OIL LEAK. THEY HAVE CHANGED PART 3 TIMES TO FIND A REMEDY.*AK THE LEAK OCCURS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE EXHAUST HEATED…
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OIL WAS LEAKING FROM FUEL LINE ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID SEE A COMMON PROBLEM IN MOST OF CHEVROLET, S10'S WITH REMOTE OIL FILTER. WHEREVER THERE WAS A CRIMP IN LINE STARTED A OIL LEAK. THEY HAVE CHANGED PART 3 TIMES TO FIND A REMEDY.*AK THE LEAK OCCURS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE EXHAUST HEATED PIPES. *SLC
BOLTS HOLDING EXHAUST PIPE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD FELL OUT ON THEIR OWN. ENGINE EXHAUSTED UNDER HOOD AND INTO DRIVER COMPARTMENT INSTEAD OF OUT TAILPIPE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS BAD MANIFOLD COST $300, MIDAS REPLACED BOLTS THAT FELL OUT FOR FREE. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN ON ANY VEHICLE BEFORE. USUALLY THEY RUST IN PLACE. F
ENGINE DIES AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED.*AK
ENGINE EXHIBITED COMPLETE FAILURE. CONNECTING ROD THROWN THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE EXPERIENCED ERRATIC OIL PRESSURE READINGS FROM 20PSI TO 60PSI PRIOR TO FAILURE. *AK
WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM FIRST CAME UP THE SUV WAS I THOUGHT OVER HEATING A BIT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT AS THAT WAS NORNAL FOR THEM IN HOT WEATHER.THE SUV BROKE DOWN IN SPRINGFILD MO , WE MANGED TO PULL INTO A SHOP ,THEY SAID THE DAMAGE WAS TO GREAT TO REPAIR WITHOUT COSTING…
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WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM FIRST CAME UP THE SUV WAS I THOUGHT OVER HEATING A BIT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT AS THAT WAS NORNAL FOR THEM IN HOT WEATHER.THE SUV BROKE DOWN IN SPRINGFILD MO , WE MANGED TO PULL INTO A SHOP ,THEY SAID THE DAMAGE WAS TO GREAT TO REPAIR WITHOUT COSTING AT LEAST 2000.00, AND EVEN THEN THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT DAMGE WAS DONE TO THE SUV.THEY DID HOWEVER GIVE ME A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH LISTED MY PROBLEM. IT SEEMS GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR AT LEART 4 YEARS. YET WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS VERY (I LEARNED LATER) COMMON PROBLEM NOONE WANTED TO ADMIT THEY HAD EVEN HEARD OF IT. EVEN AFTER I READ THE NUMBER TO THEM THEY STILL ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND IN FACT DIDNOT KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.THEY DID AFTER SEVEAL PHONE CALLED AND AGREE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY ALSO ADMIT THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF DAMAGE IF ANY WAS DONE TO ENGINE TRANMISSION OR HEATING AND COOLING SYTEMS.
RADIATOR FAILED - OIL IN COOLANT. REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT COOLER HOSE IN RADIATOR BURST. REPLACED RADIATOR, FLUSHED SYSTEM FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ANOTHER 1000 MILES, AGAIN FLUSHED SYSTEM AND REPLACED ALL HOSES. COST APPROXIMATELY $800.00. OIL STILL IN COOLANT.
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.