NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
613 reports55,247 miles · Jul 17, 2008
Visibility
THE WIPERS ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 FREQUENTLY STOP OPERATING AND WHEN THEY DO COME BACK ON THEY WILL NOT TURN OFF. THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN DURING A RAIN AND HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC WHEN I COULD AND WAIT FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON, MOST TIMES THEY HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT COME BAC…
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THE WIPERS ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 FREQUENTLY STOP OPERATING AND WHEN THEY DO COME BACK ON THEY WILL NOT TURN OFF. THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN DURING A RAIN AND HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC WHEN I COULD AND WAIT FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON, MOST TIMES THEY HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF COMPLETELY, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT COME BACK ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234719
43,555 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Visibility
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP AND IT HAS A RECURRING FAULT WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AT VARIOUS INTERVALS, WITH NO WARNING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, OFTEN DURING RAIN AND CAUSES ME TO PULL OVER TO EITHER WAIT OUT THE RAIN OR FOR THE MOTOR TO UNEXPECTEDLY RESTART. …
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I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP AND IT HAS A RECURRING FAULT WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AT VARIOUS INTERVALS, WITH NO WARNING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, OFTEN DURING RAIN AND CAUSES ME TO PULL OVER TO EITHER WAIT OUT THE RAIN OR FOR THE MOTOR TO UNEXPECTEDLY RESTART. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT 1995-1997 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUPS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WERE RECALLED. IT WAS A WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD PROBLEM WHICH LEAD TO THE RECALLS. I FEEL THE 1998 PICKUPS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHERS ON THE MYCARSTATS.COM MESSAGE BOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234239
89,256 miles · Jun 20, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ORIGINAL OWNER 1998 S10 CHEVROLET , LOW MILEAGE ... HAD TO MAKE HARD STOP WHEN CUT OFF ON HWY ...BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR .... NO BRAKING ...DROVE TO SIDE OF ROAD BRAKE FLUID LEAKING SEVERELY...... TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR FACILITY.... BRAKE LINE HAD BURST DUE TO CORROSION .... RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF 3/4 OF BRAKE LINES,,…
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ORIGINAL OWNER 1998 S10 CHEVROLET , LOW MILEAGE ... HAD TO MAKE HARD STOP WHEN CUT OFF ON HWY ...BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR .... NO BRAKING ...DROVE TO SIDE OF ROAD BRAKE FLUID LEAKING SEVERELY...... TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR FACILITY.... BRAKE LINE HAD BURST DUE TO CORROSION .... RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF 3/4 OF BRAKE LINES,,..REAR BRAKE DRUMS CORRODED THROUGH ( THE FACE HAD THROUGH & THROUGH CORROSION )...THE BRAKE SHOES HAD LITTLE WEAR.........REPAIR COST 735 DOLLARS , BRAKE LINES & DRUMS ..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231692
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2008
Wheels
1998 CHEVY S10 LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF AND CROSSED INTO TRAFFIC AND IT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NJ OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0339-90*JB UPDATED 04/15/10 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10231770
121,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Structure
OPENING OF TAILGATE ON 1998 CHEVY S10 AND WHEN SITTING DOWN ON TAILGATE A SNAP SOUND OCCURRED AND THE TAILGATE DROPPED SLIGHTLY INDICATING THE SUPPORT CABLE SNAPPED ON PASSENGER SIDE. PART IS ON ORDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226665
114,627 miles · Apr 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER IN 1998 S-10 PICKUP IN JULY OF '07. HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST AND LOSS OF POWER IN APRIL 2008. PICKUP TOTALLY STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE, NEARLY STALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. WAS ADVISED BY ACQUA…
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BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER IN 1998 S-10 PICKUP IN JULY OF '07. HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD EXHAUST AND LOSS OF POWER IN APRIL 2008. PICKUP TOTALLY STALLED OUT IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION ONCE, NEARLY STALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. WAS ADVISED BY ACQUAINTANCE THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL POLICY ISSUED BY GM (05021A) THAT COVERED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RESEARCHED THE SPECIAL POLICY AND FOUND OUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MAILING IN MAY 2005 NOTIFYING ME OF A POTENTIAL FAILURE OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM, I NEVER RECEIVED THE MAILING. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOOK VEHICLE TO GM DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF '!@#$% AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE BACK - THEY ESCALATED THE CLAIM AND THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP REPLACING THE FLEX JOINT & HEADER PIPE. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TO SEE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AS PROVIDED FOR IN SPECIAL POLICY. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE HUNG UP ON ME, REQUESTED THAT I TRACK DOWN MORE INFORMATION ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPAIR AND THEN NEVER REQUESTED TO SEE THE DOCUMENTATION DESPITE SEVERAL OFFERS TO FAX IT TO THEM. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REGIONAL REP WAS ALSO COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SPECIAL POLICY, AS WAS THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHNICIAN. FINALLY, GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STATING THAT IT WAS UNRELATED TO THE SPECIAL POLICY. I AM MOST INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY NO-ONE AT GM IS AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THIS SPECIAL POLICY, AND WHY I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF IT. PARTICULARLY WHEN THE DEFECT IN THE EXHAUST CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225959
37,000 miles · Apr 17, 2008
Visibility
WIPER MOTOR STOPS RUNNING - OCCURS OFF AND ON - THROUGH-OUT VEHICLES HISTORY STARTING AROUND THE 40,000 MILE MARK. CURRENT MILEAGE 75,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224796
185,600 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM TURNED ON OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN THE ROADS WERE PERFECTLY CLEAR CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO A SHRUB, ABS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221088
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2008
Power TrainSuspension
MY TRANNY OIL LINES ARE RUBBING ON THE SWAY BAR ON MY 1998 S- 10 P.U. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216285
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
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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