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
2,500 miles · Nov 23, 2007
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD ORIGINALLY NOT TURN OFF WHEN ACTIVATED ON INTERMITTENT, OR FULL ON. NOW IT SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHEN ACTIVATED. IT DID THIS THE OTHER DAY DURING A SEVERE RAINSTORM. OTHER OWNERS OF S-10'S THAT I KNOW ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT …
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WOULD ORIGINALLY NOT TURN OFF WHEN ACTIVATED ON INTERMITTENT, OR FULL ON. NOW IT SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHEN ACTIVATED. IT DID THIS THE OTHER DAY DURING A SEVERE RAINSTORM. OTHER OWNERS OF S-10'S THAT I KNOW ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT ON YOU , IN TRAFFIC OR NOT, DURING A RAINSTORM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209730
140,000 miles · Nov 17, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED BEFORE COMING TO A NORNAL STOP. CALLED CHEVY SINCE I NOTICED A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209212
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2007
Visibility
WIPER PROBLEM ON 98 S10 EXACTLY LIKE LISTED IN YOUR RECALL 03V159000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206625
110,000 miles · Oct 21, 2007
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY HARD INTO SECOND GEAR. NOW TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AT ALL AND THERE IS NO REVERSE. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION IS VERY COMMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206456
86,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Seats
THROUGH NORMAL USE OF THE SEAT RECLINE MECHANISM, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT RECLINE HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF AT AN INTERNAL FRICTION BAR. NEITHER SEAT RECLINES NOW AND IS STUCK IN THE LAST POSITION USED. CHEVY, OR GM, HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I HAVE LOOKED INTO FIXING THE PROBLEM MY SELF, HOWEVER THE ENTIRE SEAT…
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THROUGH NORMAL USE OF THE SEAT RECLINE MECHANISM, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT RECLINE HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF AT AN INTERNAL FRICTION BAR. NEITHER SEAT RECLINES NOW AND IS STUCK IN THE LAST POSITION USED. CHEVY, OR GM, HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I HAVE LOOKED INTO FIXING THE PROBLEM MY SELF, HOWEVER THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND IS TO COST IN-EFFICIENT FOR MY NEEDS. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY HANDLES, DREAMING THAT POSSIBLY GM WILL OWN UP TO DEFECTIVE, POOR DESIGN AND REMEDY THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200486
128,000 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPS WORKING ON MY 1998 CHEVY S10 PICKUP TRUCK. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY DURING A RAIN STORM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10198657
68,000 miles · Jul 3, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHARGING GAUGE WAS LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGED AT THE PROPER LEVEL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES AND INTERIOR LIGHTING WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHARGING GAUGE WAS LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGED AT THE PROPER LEVEL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES AND INTERIOR LIGHTING WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 97V208001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10195231
113,200 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Visibility
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVY S10 PICKUP TRUCK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXHIBIT THE EXACT BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED IN NHTSA SAFTETY RECALL BULLETIN #03023--THE WIPERS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS HERE IN RAINY WASHINGON STATE. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHICH NOW ONLY COVER…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVY S10 PICKUP TRUCK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXHIBIT THE EXACT BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED IN NHTSA SAFTETY RECALL BULLETIN #03023--THE WIPERS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS HERE IN RAINY WASHINGON STATE. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHICH NOW ONLY COVERS 1995-1997. I WOULD GUESS IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THIS '98 HAS THE SAME WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD INSTALLED AS THE PREVIOUS YEARS HAD.
NHTSA ODI #10192600
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 HAS A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES. IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOKED BY A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE FAILURE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR …
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MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10 HAS A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES. IT IS MY SUSPICION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COOKED BY A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR. LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE FAILURE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR TO REACT AND ENACT A FUEL/AIR MIXTURE THAT COOKED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CHEVROLET DEALER SAYS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 8 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190032
22,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Visibility
I DRIVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. I INSTANTLY GO BLIND, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD/HIGHWAY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. THE 1995-1997 CHEVY S-10 HAS A RECALL ON THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM DUE TO A FAULTY WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DESCRIPTION FITS MY PROBLEM EXACTLY. THIS DEFECT HAS A NHT…
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I DRIVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. I INSTANTLY GO BLIND, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD/HIGHWAY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. THE 1995-1997 CHEVY S-10 HAS A RECALL ON THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM DUE TO A FAULTY WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DESCRIPTION FITS MY PROBLEM EXACTLY. THIS DEFECT HAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1997. WHEN I CALLED UP CHEVY, AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING WHAT IT IS DOING. THE CHEVY REP. SAID THAT MY TRUCK, MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1997 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SHOULD BECAUSE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE AT THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF RAIN. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS PROBLEM FIXED YET. *TR
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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