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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Seats complaints

48 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Seats

RF SEAT FAILS TO LATCH AFTER USING CONVENIENCE FEATURE, SEAT TRACKS REPLACED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723300

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2000
Seats

BOTH SEATS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM: WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN ONE POSITION, SEATS WILL FREELY MOVE WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721669

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
SeatsInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, CONSUMER HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY AND PASSENGER'S SEAT SLID FOWARD, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HIT HEAD ON DASH. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A UNSAFE CONDITION. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE TRACK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT, BUT NOW CONSUMER HAS TO SLAM SEAT WITH ALOT OF FORCE IN ORDER FOR IT TO LOCK…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, CONSUMER HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY AND PASSENGER'S SEAT SLID FOWARD, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HIT HEAD ON DASH. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A UNSAFE CONDITION. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE TRACK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT, BUT NOW CONSUMER HAS TO SLAM SEAT WITH ALOT OF FORCE IN ORDER FOR IT TO LOCK INTO PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855887

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
SeatsSteering

MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS MADE A NOISE WHEN I MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHIN WRONG WITH IT, AND NOW IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN, SO I DON'T SEE HOW THEY COUL…

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MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS MADE A NOISE WHEN I MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHIN WRONG WITH IT, AND NOW IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN, SO I DON'T SEE HOW THEY COULD'VE MISSED IT. ALSO, THE RECLINER LEVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE OFF AT THE METAL AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED SO I GUESS I'M OUT OF LUCK WITH THAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717405

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
SeatsVehicle Speed Control

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #714601

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1999
Seats

RECLINER SEAT HANDLES BROKEN 5 TIMES, THE HANDLE WAS NEVER FORCED IT JUST FELL OFF, THE SEAT WAS STUCK LEANING TOWARDS THE WHEEL.*ET

NHTSA ODI #782855

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Seats

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINER ARM CONTINUES TO SNAP OFF. IT BREAKS OFF AT THE STEEL ITSELF AND NOT ON THE PLASTIC. I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET THEY FEEL THIS DOES NOT WARRANT A NEW SEAT. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF SOMEONE ADJUSTS THE SEAT AND THIS PIECE BREAKS …

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THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINER ARM CONTINUES TO SNAP OFF. IT BREAKS OFF AT THE STEEL ITSELF AND NOT ON THE PLASTIC. I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET THEY FEEL THIS DOES NOT WARRANT A NEW SEAT. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF SOMEONE ADJUSTS THE SEAT AND THIS PIECE BREAKS IT MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #709818

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 1999
Latches/locks/linkagesSeats

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, SLID FOWARD WHEN BRAKING DUE TO FAILURE, THREE ATTEMPTS AT FIXING. MJS

NHTSA ODI #547354

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 1999
Seats

SEATBACK ADJUSTER BROKE, CAUSING THE DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE BACK UNEXPECTEDLY AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. DLR CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842112

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsSeats

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T WORK AT ALL. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK/SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF/ SEAT LATCH FELL OFF, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ISN'T WORKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEALER HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S FOR REPAIRS. …

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WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T WORK AT ALL. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK/SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF/ SEAT LATCH FELL OFF, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ISN'T WORKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEALER HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE BRAKE FAILED WHILE TRYING TO AVOID NOT HITTING A DEAR AND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT, TWO PEOPLE INJURED. *YD

NHTSA ODI #840882

Official recalls

6

00V374000 · 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

3

EA05008 · 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.