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
72,500 miles · Aug 1, 2004
Visibility
DURING A RETURN TRIP FROM CANADA IT STARTED TO RAIN. MY WIPERS WERE WORKING FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN THEY STOPPED ABRUPTLY. I HAD TO STOP BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURED. I HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE THEM AND THEY STARTED BACK UP. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE( EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN DROVE IN THE RAIN). THE WIPERS STOP AT RAND…
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DURING A RETURN TRIP FROM CANADA IT STARTED TO RAIN. MY WIPERS WERE WORKING FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN THEY STOPPED ABRUPTLY. I HAD TO STOP BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURED. I HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE THEM AND THEY STARTED BACK UP. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE( EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN DROVE IN THE RAIN). THE WIPERS STOP AT RANDOM TIMES AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT SHUT OFF FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH OFF. I HAVE PARKED THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED. I DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THIS PART UNLESS I KNOW IF THIS SAME ISSUE WILL OCCUR WITH THE REPLACEMENT PART OR NOT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10083123
72,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE OCCASIONALLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I RECIEVED A BULLETIN FROM CHEVROLET STATING THAT SOME VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK MY S10 PICKUP TO A DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS AND THEY REFUSED BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A 1998 MODEL AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR 1997 M…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE OCCASIONALLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I RECIEVED A BULLETIN FROM CHEVROLET STATING THAT SOME VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK MY S10 PICKUP TO A DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS AND THEY REFUSED BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A 1998 MODEL AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR 1997 MODELS. SOMEONE I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT CLEANING THE CONTACTS ON THE CURCUIT BOARD WOULD REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I DID THIS AND IT SEEMED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER IT HAPPENED AGAIN RECENTLY. I READ THAT THE NTHSA HAD BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER, BUT I CANT FIND ANY INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083011
91,000 miles · Jul 12, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
DRIVING IN FREEWAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC (40-45MPH), FAN CAME LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNT, STRUCK AND DAMAGED RADIATOR. SURFACE WHERE BELT CONTACTS FAN IS GOUGED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED/MACHINED TO AVOID DAMAGE TO BELT. SERPENTINE BELT AND PART OF FAN MOUNT LOST. REPLACING RADIATOR AND CURRENTLY TRYING TO TRACK DOWN PARTS TO REPLAC…
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DRIVING IN FREEWAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC (40-45MPH), FAN CAME LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNT, STRUCK AND DAMAGED RADIATOR. SURFACE WHERE BELT CONTACTS FAN IS GOUGED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED/MACHINED TO AVOID DAMAGE TO BELT. SERPENTINE BELT AND PART OF FAN MOUNT LOST. REPLACING RADIATOR AND CURRENTLY TRYING TO TRACK DOWN PARTS TO REPLACE FAN. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080837
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2004
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM OR SOMETIMES DON'T WORK AT ALL. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE OR I WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED MY COMPLAINT TWO YEARS AGO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080771
105,000 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Structure
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE CORRODED AND SNAPPED. THERE WAS A RECALL DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE S10 MODEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079556
41,000 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN A RAIN STORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER'S VISIBLITY WAS IMPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079411
59,722 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FRONT SEAL BLEW OUT AT SPEED ON FREE-WAY. DUMPING FLUID. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 59000 MILES ON IT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10078280
62,000 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, SOMETIMES WILL STOP IN MID-CYCLE, SOMETIMES WILL CYCLE REPEATEDLY WHEN USING THE MIST FEATURE. GM HAS ADMITTED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH 96 AND 97 S-10'S BUT SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH 98 AND NEWER. AFTER A VERY LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH A C…
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WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, SOMETIMES WILL STOP IN MID-CYCLE, SOMETIMES WILL CYCLE REPEATEDLY WHEN USING THE MIST FEATURE. GM HAS ADMITTED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH 96 AND 97 S-10'S BUT SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH 98 AND NEWER. AFTER A VERY LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AT GM, THEY DECIDED TO GIVE ME 50% CREDIT IF I TAKE MY TRUCK TO A GM DEALER AND HAVE IT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THERE, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY AT ALL FOR A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT!!!!! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 01/04, MAKES ME THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10078279
37,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Structure
TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10071650
110,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *SC *JB
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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