← New search

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

Tires complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · May 27, 2014
Tires

GOODYEAR ALLEGRA P205 75R15 SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND CRACKING LEAD TO BLOWOUT. INNER SIDEWALL SHOWED CRACKING AND RIPPLING AS THOUGH CHORDS WERE BROKEN. ONLY 25,000 MILES AS MY DAILY DRIVER, NO HEAVY LOADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594171

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2008
Tires

SPARE TIRE FOR THIS VEHICLE IS SECURED UNDERNEATH TRUCK BED. DRIVING ALONG DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN AN AREA WITH NO PULL-OFF AREA, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM BENEATH VEHICLE INTO ROADWAY. THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE DESIGN AS I HAVE NOT REMOVED OR USED THIS SPARE AS LONG AS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE (APPROX. 5 YRS.). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214037

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2007
Tires

CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE BREAKS AND SPARE FALLS TO THE ROADWAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188249

216,000 miles · Apr 17, 2006
StructureTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE SPARE TIRE, THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE FRACTURED AND RELEASED THE TIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL RECENTLY. THE CONTACT FOUND A SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT OTHER S10 TRUCKS. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS

NHTSA ODI #10155471

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS ON THE TIRE SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, HE FOUND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HE PURCHASED CABLE CLAMPS AND USED THE EXISTING CABLE TO …

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS ON THE TIRE SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, HE FOUND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HE PURCHASED CABLE CLAMPS AND USED THE EXISTING CABLE TO INSTALL THE CLAMPS TO HOLD THE TIRE ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141078

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2005
Tires

DT: 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT FELL OUT. HE NOTICED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROA.D, HE DID NOT SEE IT FALL OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE METAL …

Read full complaint

DT: 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 5, 2005. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT FELL OUT. HE NOTICED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROA.D, HE DID NOT SEE IT FALL OFF. THE CONTACT HAS THE METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED OR FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10139673

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2003
Tires

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE (GOODYEAR P20565R15). *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018193

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

ANY SHARP TURN AT LOW SPEEDS ACTIVATES THE ABS. I.E TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE OLD. THE TIRE STORE SAYS THE TIRES ARE FINE. I HAVE READ ON THE WEB ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM TOO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737251

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Tires

WE HAD A FLAT TIRE DUE TO A NAIL AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID HE WOULD NOT PATCH THE HOLE BECAUSE BOTH REAR TIRES WHERE SHOWING TREAD SEPARATION AND HE DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. I WENT TO A UNIROYAL DEALER AND THEY WOULD ONLY CREDIT ME 40% OF THE COST OF NEW TIRES. THEY…

Read full complaint

WE HAD A FLAT TIRE DUE TO A NAIL AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. HE SAID HE WOULD NOT PATCH THE HOLE BECAUSE BOTH REAR TIRES WHERE SHOWING TREAD SEPARATION AND HE DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. I WENT TO A UNIROYAL DEALER AND THEY WOULD ONLY CREDIT ME 40% OF THE COST OF NEW TIRES. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND I DO NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO PAY TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT REPLACED. WE OBVIOUSLY NEED THESE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY AS WE ARE TRAVELING TO FLORIDA WITH A TRAILER THIS SUNDAY AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. AM I ENTITLED TO HAVE THESE REPLACED FREE OR NOT. THE TIRE TREAD IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. (TIRESIZE: P20575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20575R15 )

NHTSA ODI #735502

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

RIGHT FRONT TIRE (P209/75 R15 UNIROYAL) HAD A BUBBLE 2" BY 3/4". YH

NHTSA ODI #609039

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.