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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

What owners actually said

613 reports
77,490 miles · Jun 2, 2004
Visibility

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075575

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2004
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075574

58,000 miles · Jun 2, 2004
Electrical System

1998 CHEVROLET S-10E PICK-UP. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, IGNITION KEY HAS REMAINED STUCK IN START MODE, CAUSING OPERATOR NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE OR RETRACT THE KEY. ONLY RECOURSE FOR TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OR (FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS) POPPING THE CLUTCH. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRU…

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1998 CHEVROLET S-10E PICK-UP. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, IGNITION KEY HAS REMAINED STUCK IN START MODE, CAUSING OPERATOR NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE OR RETRACT THE KEY. ONLY RECOURSE FOR TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OR (FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS) POPPING THE CLUTCH. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRUCKS ONLY RECOURSE IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHILE THE STARTER CONTINUOUSLY GRINDS INTO THE FLYWHEEL. THIS INCIDENT OF THE IGNITION AND KEY BEING STUCK IN START MODE HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. PREVIOUS OCCURENCE WAS THE DATE OF APRIL 02, 2004. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074642

89,500 miles · May 29, 2004
Exterior Lighting

REAR BRAKE LIGHT BURNED OUT. REPLACED AND NEW BULB BURNED OUT WITHIN 36 HRS. REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BULB, AGAIN BURNED OUT WITHIN 36 HRS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074474

50,000 miles · May 21, 2004
Visibility

WIPER PULSE BOARD INTERRUPTION, FAILURE. NO REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN FOUND. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECALL OF 1994-1997 CHEVROLET S 10 PICKUPS, BUT OCCURS IN LATER MODEL YEARS, PARTICULARLY 1998.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072931

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION. THE WIPERS FAIL MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN THEY DO WORK, THEY RUN ERRACTICALLY. I USE RAIN-X ON THE WINDSHIELD FOR INCREASED VISIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072550

118,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THEY DO WORK SOMETIMES BUT MOSTLY THEY DO NOT. THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM FOR MY OTHER CAR BUT NOT FOR THIS TRUCK. I THINK IT SHOULD BE

NHTSA ODI #10072465

72,450 miles · Apr 26, 2004
Visibility

I OWN A '98 CHEVY S-10. GM HAS RECALLED S-10'S THRU '97 FOR FAULTY WIPER CIRCUIT BOARDS. MY WIPERS FAILED IN A RAIN STORM AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THEY REFUSE TO WORK WITH ME ON GETTING THE SITUATION RESOLVED. IT CAN'T BE AN ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF TROUBLE WITH GM'S WIPERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067829

95,000 miles · Mar 31, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS OR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE BULLITIN NO: 03023. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064235

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2004
Seats

DRIVER SIDE SEAT SEAT RECLINER FAILED. FIRST TIME THE CASTING INSIDE THE HANDLE FAILED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE WAS IN THE TRANSFER ROD THAT THE HANDLE IS CONNECTED TO. FIRST FAILURE WAS WHILE IN USE, SECOND FAILURE IT "JUST FELL OFF." WHEN IT WORKED, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE. SINGLE OWNER O…

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DRIVER SIDE SEAT SEAT RECLINER FAILED. FIRST TIME THE CASTING INSIDE THE HANDLE FAILED. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE WAS IN THE TRANSFER ROD THAT THE HANDLE IS CONNECTED TO. FIRST FAILURE WAS WHILE IN USE, SECOND FAILURE IT "JUST FELL OFF." WHEN IT WORKED, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE. SINGLE OWNER OPERATOR - FAILURE OCCURED WITH LITTLE USE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10063672

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.