IllustrationCONSUMER EXPERIENCED DESTRUCTION OF THE CLUTCH AND DANGEROUS LOSS OF DRIVE POWER DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF GRASS OR OTHER DEBRIS SUCKED INTO CLUTCH DURING ORDINARY AND CUSTOMARY USE. *TT THE CONSUMER HAS HE GRASS PACKED OLD CLUTCH IN HIS POSSESSION*NM
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 →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
90–25K
2225–50K
2850–75K
1475–100K
13100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsWHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE, AND CAUSES SEVERE EXTENTED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIEDON BUMPY OR SLICK ROADS, THE ABS DISENGAGES THE VEHICLES BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE RELEASED…
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WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE, AND CAUSES SEVERE EXTENTED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIEDON BUMPY OR SLICK ROADS, THE ABS DISENGAGES THE VEHICLES BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE RELEASED AND RE-APPLIED TO RE-ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS WRECKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES ON A ON SMOOTH ROAD, ON BUMPY ROADS AT 15 MPH THE VEHICLE TAKES 25 FEET TO STOP. *SCC
WHILE DRIVING AT STATE SPEED LIMIT APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX VEHICLE BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
REAR DISC BRAKE ROTORS ACCUMULATE RUST OR MATERIAL, CAUSING BAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURITELY AND BREAK OFF SAFETY WEAR SOUNDING TAB. *AK
BOTH RECLINER SEAT LEVERS THAT ADJUST RECLINE OF BUCKET SEAT BROKE OFF. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RECLINE SEATS.*AK.*JB
VEHICLE STOPPED ON INTERSTATE RT. 81 NEAREST EXIT ALTMAR, NY. TRANSMISSION CEASED.*AK
PASSENGER'S SEAT COMES LOOSE WHEN REAR SEAT IS DEPLOYED. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *TT
MOUNTING SYSTEM CAUSING SPARE TO GO FLAT. TIRE IS RUBBING INTO FRAME OF TIRE.*AK CONSUMER SAID PLEASE CANCEL THIS COMPLAINT. *YH
STEERING WILL LOCKUP MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN, WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. STEERING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, STEERING LOCKUP AGAIN.
HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
Official recalls
0No 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
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.
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