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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

231 reports
150,000 miles · Feb 9, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY TRUCK SLOWLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. FIRST, THE DINGING NOISE THAT YOUR CAR MAKES QHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR IF YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, MY TRUCK WOULD MAKE THIS SOUND WITH NO LIGHT ON OR KEY IN IGNITION CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THEN THE GAUGES STARTED ACTING CRAZY, COMPLETELY NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NOW MY …

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MY TRUCK SLOWLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. FIRST, THE DINGING NOISE THAT YOUR CAR MAKES QHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR IF YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, MY TRUCK WOULD MAKE THIS SOUND WITH NO LIGHT ON OR KEY IN IGNITION CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THEN THE GAUGES STARTED ACTING CRAZY, COMPLETELY NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NOW MY TRUCK WILL NOT START, IT TURNS OVER BUT SOMETHING DOESN'T CATCH OR FIRE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE SPARK PLUGS ARE NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10953777

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical System

KEY IN LOCK HAVE TO MOVE IT BACK AND FRONT 7 TIMES TO GET IT IN START AND KEY COMES OUT IN START RUN ASS LOCK.. I SAW ON THE NEW THAT FROM 1997 TO 2015 BAD KEY SWITCHES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619171

150,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594552

120,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Electrical System

THE PROBLEM USUALLY APPEARS IN THE SUMMER, AND RARELY OCCURS DURING THE WINTER. IT STARTED BACK IN JUNE OF 2012, OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THEN STARTING IN JUNE OF 2013, IT BEGAN ACTING UP AN AVERAGE OF ONCE A WEEK UNTIL AUGUST. WHEN IT ACTS UP, I WILL BE DRIVING, AND THE TRUCK WILL BUCK A COUPLE OF…

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THE PROBLEM USUALLY APPEARS IN THE SUMMER, AND RARELY OCCURS DURING THE WINTER. IT STARTED BACK IN JUNE OF 2012, OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THEN STARTING IN JUNE OF 2013, IT BEGAN ACTING UP AN AVERAGE OF ONCE A WEEK UNTIL AUGUST. WHEN IT ACTS UP, I WILL BE DRIVING, AND THE TRUCK WILL BUCK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE NEEDLE ON THE TACH WILL JUMP UP AND DOWN, AND USUALLY SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF AND THE DOORS TRY TO UNLOCK. IT BASICALLY ACTS LIKE THE IGNITION IS TRYING TO SHUT OFF BUT GETS FLICKED BACK INTO THE ON POSITION. IT WILL USUALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF EPISODES WHERE IT WILL DO THIS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN RUN FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. WHEN IT DOES THIS, I USUALLY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SHUT IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHERE IT DIES IMMEDIATELY. WHEN IT DIES, I HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRY TO COAST UNTIL I CAN PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. IF I TRY TO RESTART IT WHILE IN NEUTRAL, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, WHICH COULD CAUSE ME TO VEER OFF THE ROAD, AND WHEN THE TRUCK IS OFF, THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 6 MECHANICS, AND NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER S-10 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE, AND IN LIGHT OF THE RECENTLY UNCOVERED ISSUES WITH GM IGNITION SWITCHES, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT MY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568211

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

66,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Power Train

YES MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID SERVICE ENGINE SOON. SO I TOOK IT TO A MICHANIC AND HAD IT CHECKED AND IT CAME UP THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES IS THERE ANYTHING OR HELP I CAN GET TO REPLACE IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535021

135,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

I WAS MOVING MY TRUCK AROUND IN MY DRIVE WAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND I HIT THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE IS THIS POORLY MADE. PLEASE LOOK INT…

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I WAS MOVING MY TRUCK AROUND IN MY DRIVE WAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND I HIT THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE IS THIS POORLY MADE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461276

160,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Electrical System

THE STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (HAZARD) HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING A CASCADE FAILURE TO BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND IGNITION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456862

84,562 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Suspension

THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE TRUCK DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES IF SOMETHING ELSE FAILED. WHEN I WENT IN TO PAY THE TOWING CHARGE, A DIFFERENT SERVICE COUNTER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD INDEED WORK ON …

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THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE TRUCK DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES IF SOMETHING ELSE FAILED. WHEN I WENT IN TO PAY THE TOWING CHARGE, A DIFFERENT SERVICE COUNTER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD INDEED WORK ON THE TRUCK BUT ONLY IF I AGREED TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES. TOTAL COST WAS ESTIMATED TO BE GREATER THAN $2500. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM FOR $473.77. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS BACKING THE TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER THE REPAIR, A SECTION OF BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION (SEE SEPARATE COMPLAINT.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440285

79,945 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

A BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID THE LINE WAS CORRODED AND SPLICED IN A COMPRESSION FITTING AT A COST OF $222.50. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER FAILURES OF BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE SECOND FAILURE, I REPLACED ABOUT 10 FT OF BRAKE LINE MYSELF. THE 3RD BRAK…

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A BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID THE LINE WAS CORRODED AND SPLICED IN A COMPRESSION FITTING AT A COST OF $222.50. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER FAILURES OF BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE SECOND FAILURE, I REPLACED ABOUT 10 FT OF BRAKE LINE MYSELF. THE 3RD BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS FIXING A BROKEN UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT HAD FAILED DUE TO (WOW) CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440282

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