IllustrationWINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. HAPPENED IN THE POURING RAIN ALMOST WRECKED. I CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S10 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsCABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE BREAKS AND SPARE FALLS TO THE ROADWAY. *AK
3RD DOOR ON 1998 CHEVROLET S10 LATCH BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. LATCH FINALLY SNAPPED OFF. 3RD DOOR NO LONGER OPENED, POTENTIALLY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR 3RD SEAT PASSENGER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
WIPERS MAY NOT COME ON OR MAY STOP DURING USE. ALSO WIPER SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. *JB
RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 98V50001 & 97V096001 " WINDSHIELD WIPE FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. UNIT FAILED ON MY 1998 CHEV S-10 VIN 1GCCS1948WK1XXXXX. GM 1ST AGREED TO REPLACE AT NO COST. UPON DEALERSHIP CONFIRMATION OF PROBLEM, GM CHANGE TO POSITION OF NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS A CONTINUING P…
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RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 98V50001 & 97V096001 " WINDSHIELD WIPE FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. UNIT FAILED ON MY 1998 CHEV S-10 VIN 1GCCS1948WK1XXXXX. GM 1ST AGREED TO REPLACE AT NO COST. UPON DEALERSHIP CONFIRMATION OF PROBLEM, GM CHANGE TO POSITION OF NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THE UNITS ACCORDING TO SERVICE MANAGER. GM TAKES THE POSITION THAT VEHICLE IN NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. THE PART INVOLVED IS THE SAME AS ON THE 1996 VEHICLES. I REPLACE UNIT A MY EXPENSE, DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHARGE LABOR. THE DEFECT CAME TO MY ATTENTION WHEN WIPERS FAILED AND THEN CAME TO LIFE AFTER TOUCHING CIRCUIT BOARD HOUSING. THE ABOVE NHTSA RECALLS NEED TO BE EXTENDED TO ALL GM S-10 PICKUPS AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES. *NM
GAS ODOR- UPON STATE INSPECTION FAILURE REVEALED BOTH GAS LINES WERE ABLE TO RUB TOGETHER, CAUSING A LOT OF FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST CAUSING SMOKE. BOTH LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID THE TRUCK EXPLODING OR CATCHING FIRE. FUNNY HOW YOU CAN ONLY BUY THE FUEL LINES FROM CHEVROLET. WHAT IS TO KEEP THEM FROM RUBBING T…
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GAS ODOR- UPON STATE INSPECTION FAILURE REVEALED BOTH GAS LINES WERE ABLE TO RUB TOGETHER, CAUSING A LOT OF FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST CAUSING SMOKE. BOTH LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID THE TRUCK EXPLODING OR CATCHING FIRE. FUNNY HOW YOU CAN ONLY BUY THE FUEL LINES FROM CHEVROLET. WHAT IS TO KEEP THEM FROM RUBBING TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER I SPEND THE FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED? THIS IS A DEFECT. ALSO, FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS OR WIRING ALLOWS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO JUST COMPLETELY STOP WHILE IT IS DOWNPOURING RAIN. I COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE LAKE! I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE REGARDING BOTH OF MY COMPLAINTS. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO MAKE GM FIX THESE KNOWN DEFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES? *NM
ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. THE CABLES BROKE AND THE WOOD I WAS LOADING SLID OFF AND HIT MY FOOT IT DID HURT IT, BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BAD. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE TAILGATE CABLES BREAKING. I HAVE SEEN IT ON 1995, 1998 A…
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ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. THE CABLES BROKE AND THE WOOD I WAS LOADING SLID OFF AND HIT MY FOOT IT DID HURT IT, BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BAD. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE TAILGATE CABLES BREAKING. I HAVE SEEN IT ON 1995, 1998 AND 2000 S-10 TRUCKS. I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO MAKE REPLACEMENT CABLES THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF YOU WERE LOADING SOMETHING IT COULD SLID OFF THE TAILGATE AND HURT THEMSELVES LIKE I DID. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BOTH CABLES ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICK-UP HAVE SNAPPED. MY DOG WAS USING A RAMP THAT RESTED ON THE TAILGATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT CAUSED THE RAMP TO FALL A FEW INCHES LUCKILY THE DOG WAS UNINJURED HOWEVER HE IS VERY FRIGHTENED TO USE THE RAMP NOW. HE WEIGHS OVER 150S SO I CAN'T LIFT HIM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE T…
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BOTH CABLES ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICK-UP HAVE SNAPPED. MY DOG WAS USING A RAMP THAT RESTED ON THE TAILGATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT CAUSED THE RAMP TO FALL A FEW INCHES LUCKILY THE DOG WAS UNINJURED HOWEVER HE IS VERY FRIGHTENED TO USE THE RAMP NOW. HE WEIGHS OVER 150S SO I CAN'T LIFT HIM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET NEW CABLE WHEN I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL ON OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. I HAVE PUT OFF REPAIRING THIS IN ANTICIPATION OF A RECALL. *JB
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER MOTOR. *NM
WIPERS FAIL TO WORK WHEN TURNED ON, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. STARTED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHEN NEW. *JB
Official recalls
600V374000 · 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
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.