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1999 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 142 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports2 fire reports20 injury reports

Structure complaints

28 reports
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60,620 miles · Feb 24, 2014
StructureTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD FRACTURED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD FRACTURED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,620.

NHTSA ODI #10565676

65,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR TAILGATE AND SUDDENLY THE CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TAILGATE CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING RE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR TAILGATE AND SUDDENLY THE CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TAILGATE CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10379875

109,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Structure

1999 TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES COVER TORN AND BROKEN WITH CORROSION ON BOTH SIDES OF GATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350147

100,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Structure

DEFECTIVE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344704

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2008
Structure

THE BUSHING ON THE TOP HINGE-PIN ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED, THUS CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED THE HOLE FOR THE PIN TO BECOME OVAL OVER TIME. VARIOUS QUOTES FOR REPAIRS RUN FROM $180 TO $350 OR MORE, DEPENDING ON IF THE SHOP WILL WELD THE HOLE SHUT AND REDRILL A NEW HOLE. A …

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THE BUSHING ON THE TOP HINGE-PIN ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED, THUS CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED THE HOLE FOR THE PIN TO BECOME OVAL OVER TIME. VARIOUS QUOTES FOR REPAIRS RUN FROM $180 TO $350 OR MORE, DEPENDING ON IF THE SHOP WILL WELD THE HOLE SHUT AND REDRILL A NEW HOLE. A NEW HINGE-PIN KIT WITH BUSHINGS COSTS ABOUT $6, BUT IT DOESN'T HELP ONCE THE HOLE HAS OVAL. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LIFTED TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY, THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE WITNESSED APPROXIMATELY 100R SO S-10 PICK-UPS AND BLAZERS IN MY AREA THAT ARE PRESENTLY USING ROPES OR BUNGEE CORDS TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. ONE GENTLEMAN AROUND TOWN ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY HOLDS THE DOOR BY HAND WHEN DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PRACTICE! CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO CAUSE A RECALL? WHAT IF IT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND A YOUNG CHILD WITHOUT A SEATBELT WERE TO FALL OUT, WOULD THAT BE CAUSE FOR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245756

70,563 miles · Jun 24, 2008
StructureInjury

TAILGATE CABLE FAILURE ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET S-10 FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE YEARS, THE TAILGATE CABLES HAVE SNAPPED ON MY 1999 S-10. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTRESSING, SINCE IT HAPPENS WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING THE TRUCK, OR WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING OR STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR THE PERS…

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TAILGATE CABLE FAILURE ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET S-10 FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE YEARS, THE TAILGATE CABLES HAVE SNAPPED ON MY 1999 S-10. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTRESSING, SINCE IT HAPPENS WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING THE TRUCK, OR WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING OR STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR THE PERSON ON THE TAILGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232130

108,542 miles · Mar 16, 2008
Structure

A RUSTED TAILGATE CABLE ON A 1999 S-10 ZR2 CHEVROLET TRUCK BROKEN. YOU CANNOT REPLACE JUST THE CABLE. YOU HAVE TO GET A LATCH CABLE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE RIGHT SIZE IS BROKEN AND THE LEFT SIDE IS CLOSE TO BREAKING. IT IS ALSO A VERY HARD TO FIND THE CORRECT PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221336

95,000 miles · Nov 9, 2007
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, THE CABLES FAILED THAT HOLD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAILGATE. THE CABLES WERE RUSTED AND THE LEFT SIDE CABLES WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, THE CABLES FAILED THAT HOLD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAILGATE. THE CABLES WERE RUSTED AND THE LEFT SIDE CABLES WERE REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208492

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2007
Structure

I BOUGHT A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP ,AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING A BROKEN TAILGATE CABLE, WHEN I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR 2000-2004 S10 PICKUPS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. FROM THE SOUNDS OF IT THE PROBLEM WITH MY S10 WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL WITH THE CABLE RUSTING THROUGH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187629

140,000 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING, AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND DRIVEN HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10176017

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.

PE99009 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 1, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

ALLEGED THAT THE FUEL TANK MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURE IN CERTAIN CRASH MODES