NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
613 reports74,950 miles · Aug 14, 2005
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WIPERS HAVE FAILED MANY TIMES OVER THE 3 YEARS THAT WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FOR HELP AND NO SOLUTIONS HAVE WORKED. AN AUTO TECH. INSTRUCTOR TOLD MY SON THAT THE S10 HAS A WEAK SYSTEM AND THAT NEW ENDS COULD NOT BE ORDERED FOR CONNECTIONS. SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE S1…
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WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, WIPERS HAVE FAILED MANY TIMES OVER THE 3 YEARS THAT WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FOR HELP AND NO SOLUTIONS HAVE WORKED. AN AUTO TECH. INSTRUCTOR TOLD MY SON THAT THE S10 HAS A WEAK SYSTEM AND THAT NEW ENDS COULD NOT BE ORDERED FOR CONNECTIONS. SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE S10'S HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS MY TEENAGE SONS TRUCK AND I FILL THAT CHEVORLET SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132751
62,000 miles · Aug 13, 2005
Power Train
I OWN AN 1998 CHEVY S10 PICK-UP TRUCK. SOME TIME LAST YEAR I STARTED TO GET A P1870 TROUBLE CODE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,300. AT THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WI…
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I OWN AN 1998 CHEVY S10 PICK-UP TRUCK. SOME TIME LAST YEAR I STARTED TO GET A P1870 TROUBLE CODE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,300. AT THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132718
97,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Structure
THE EXTENDED CUB 3RD DOOR HANDLES CONTINUES TO BREAK EVERY 6 MONTHS. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I PURCHASED THE 1998 S10 IN MARCH, 04, IN JULY THE HANDLE BROKE. THIS SAME NEW HANDLE BROKE WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER, 04. FINALLY, THE 2 NEW HANDLE BROKE IN AUGUST, 05. THE BREAK IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME AREA. THE DEALER HAS COMMENT…
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THE EXTENDED CUB 3RD DOOR HANDLES CONTINUES TO BREAK EVERY 6 MONTHS. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I PURCHASED THE 1998 S10 IN MARCH, 04, IN JULY THE HANDLE BROKE. THIS SAME NEW HANDLE BROKE WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER, 04. FINALLY, THE 2 NEW HANDLE BROKE IN AUGUST, 05. THE BREAK IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME AREA. THE DEALER HAS COMMENTED THAT HE HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HIM FOR THIS PART, BUT TO CHEV HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO RECALL OR ASSIST IN ANY WAY. CAN I HAVE YOUR REVIEW AND ASSISTANCE? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132186
49,000 miles · Jul 27, 2005
Structure
DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED WITH VERY LIGHT WEIGHT ON IT. AT THE TIME THE CABLE SNAPPED THERE WAS A CHILD ON THE TAILGATE. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THE LEFT SIDE CARRIED THE WEIGHT. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE TAILGATE AT THIS POINT. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO REPLACE…
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DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED WITH VERY LIGHT WEIGHT ON IT. AT THE TIME THE CABLE SNAPPED THERE WAS A CHILD ON THE TAILGATE. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THE LEFT SIDE CARRIED THE WEIGHT. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE TAILGATE AT THIS POINT. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLES AND MAYBE THE WHOLE TAILGATE ITSELF. THE CABLES WERE FINE. THERE WERE NOT ANY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CABLES. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE OWNER ALSO CALLED GM, AND THEY CONTACTED THE MANAGER, WHO RELAYED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THEY WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10130283
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
82,000 miles · Jul 14, 2005
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. FAILURE IS UNPREDICTIABLE. LAST FAILURE OCCURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 495 DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM
NHTSA ODI #10128698
90,304 miles · Jul 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
I SAT ON THE OPEN TAILGATE AND BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS BROKE. THEY WERE BOTH VERY CORRODED ABOUT 10 INCHES FROM THE END CONNECTED TO THE BED. THE STRAPS APPEAR TO BE VERY CORRODED AT THE POINT OF BREAKAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10128207
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2005
Visibility
DT: CONSUMER SAYS WHILE DRIVING VE IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS PERIODICALLY MALFUNCTIONED. SOMETIMES STOPPED COMPLETEL, SLOWED DOWN OR TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED NO HELP FROM DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10127043
65,000 miles · Jun 28, 2005
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
2 COMPLAINTS ON THIS VECHILE 1> NEEDS WIPER MODULE RECALLED, LIKE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS (HAD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE) 2> BOTH OF MY TAILGATE STRAPS ARE BROKEN..HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE VECHILES WITH SAME PROBLEMS. HAD TO REPLACE WIPER MODULE AND TAILGATE STRAPS
NHTSA ODI #10126853
56,000 miles · Jun 28, 2005
Visibility
LAST YEAR THE WIPERS STARTED TO NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WOULD SPEED UP, SLOW DOWN, NOT WORK, NOT SHUT OFF, NOW IT IS WORSE. QUITE HAZARDOUS DURING RAIN, NOT REPAIRED YET, CALLED LOCAL DEALER ADVISED NO RECALL FOR THAT YEAR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1997 MODEL YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #10126830
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.
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