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
What owners actually said
613 reports
176,000 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
I RECENTLY PURCHASED AN 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICKUP IN WHICH HAD HIGHWAY MILES OF @176000 MILES. THESE TRIPS WERE MADE FROM THE TEXARKANA TO DALLAS AREA ON I-30. AFTER MY PURCHASE OF SAID VEHICHLE BEING THE SECOND OWNER I HAD BEEN SMELLING GASOLINE AND SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR ITS SOURCE OF ORIGIN FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AND ON…
Read full complaint
I RECENTLY PURCHASED AN 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICKUP IN WHICH HAD HIGHWAY MILES OF @176000 MILES. THESE TRIPS WERE MADE FROM THE TEXARKANA TO DALLAS AREA ON I-30. AFTER MY PURCHASE OF SAID VEHICHLE BEING THE SECOND OWNER I HAD BEEN SMELLING GASOLINE AND SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR ITS SOURCE OF ORIGIN FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AND ON MY WAY HOME FROM SHEVEPORT LA., THE SMELL WAS OVERWHELMING AND WAS VERY LUCKY MY TRUCK DID NOT EXPLODE INTO FLAMES THAT NIGHT, I CHECKED AGAIN UNDER THE HOOD AND EVENTUALLY UNDERNEATH THE CARRIGE AND FOUND NO LEAKS FROM THE TANK ETC. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND LOOKED AGAIN AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE UNDERNEATH EXHAUST, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE MAIN GAS LINE WHICH ROUTES OVER THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH A METAL STRAP WHICH HOLDS IT INPLACE HAD RUBBED AN AREA IN WHICH CREATED THIS AND WHAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENT AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO, HAD THE EXHAST IGNITED, GAS WAS ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DRIVE SHAFT. I REPLACED WITH REGUALAR FLEX GAS LINE FROM AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE. I STILL HAVE THE OLD LINE FOR FUTHER INSPECTION IF NEEDED, BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE AS I AND WOULD ONLY THINK THE SMELL IS COMING FROM THE CARBURATOR AREA AND WOULD END UP THE VEHICHLE CATCHING FIRE OR BLOWING UP. TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS AND CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE AREA BY INSTALLING A RUBBER SPACED METAL STRAP WHICH WILL SEPERATE THE THREE LINES AS WELL EXPOSURE OF BEING RUBBED BY THE STRAP IN WHICH HOLDS THEM. MY LEAK WAS SPRAYING UP INTO THE BODY UNDERNEATH AND NOT JUST SPRAYING DIRECTLY DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10125794
89,800 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Unknown Or Other
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CABLE THAT SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THIS CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117607
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2005
Visibility
WIPER MOTOR
NHTSA ODI #10122433
61,000 miles · May 27, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS ACTIVATING PREMATURELY WITH SPEEDS UNDER 15MPH. THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A HUMMING NOISE, AND DOESN'T STOP AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE ON FOR 5 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ABS SENSOR REPLACED ON THE FRONT AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP, TWO YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE IS A FOUR DRIVE . *TT
NHTSA ODI #10122310
60,000 miles · May 22, 2005
Visibility
I OWN TWO 1998 CHEVROLET TRUCKS; ONE IS AN S-10 PICK-UP, THE OTHER A BLAZER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL ON BOTH OF THEM, USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWNPOUR.
NHTSA ODI #10121820
78,005 miles · May 21, 2005
Fuel System, Other
MY GAS PEDEL STUCK AND THE CABLE FRAYED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE WHILE IN GEAR,LUCKY I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AND NOT IN TRAFFIE,ON A 98 S10 PICKUP,I SAY THAT CHEVY SHOULD FIX ALL ,PUBLIC HAS NO SAY ON HOW THEY MAKE THEIR CARS, GAS PEDELS SHOULD ALWAYS WORK,
NHTSA ODI #10121764
100,000 miles · May 19, 2005
Visibility
CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10121420
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
75,000 miles · May 10, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
1998 CHEVY S-10 PICKUP TRUCK. BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE STANDING ON TAILGATE RESULTING IN A FALL TO THE GROUND. BOTH CABLES ARE CORRODED AT THE MID POINT WHERE THEY FOLD WHEN CLOSING THE TAILGATE.
NHTSA ODI #10120498
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2005
Structure
1998, S10 PICKUP TAILGATE STRAPS RUSTED IN 2 PIECES. THESE WERE RECALLED ON MY 2002 1500 FULL SIZE. WHY NOT THE S10 ? *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1998 Chevrolet S10 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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