Model year record

1996 Chevrolet S10

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 875 owner complaints on file.

Chevrolet S10, 1994–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1994–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V159000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,876
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-28
Owners notified
2003-06-19

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V193000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,125,749
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-19
Owners notified
2000-05-31

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V150001

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,557,585
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-01
Owners notified
1998-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V146001

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
146,167
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-11
Owners notified
1997-10-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V096001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
586,058
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-12
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Safety risk

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V008001

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
55
Reported to NHTSA
1997-01-27
Owners notified
1997-01-30

Defect description

THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V035000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
24,906
Reported to NHTSA
1996-02-22
Owners notified
1996-02-16

Defect description

SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1718,493 mi
Air bags: frontal65164,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor5913,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer34—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline31—
Power train: automatic transmission24—
Vehicle speed control20—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1960,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack19—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components16—
Unknown or other1665,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner15—
Power train: manual transmission13—
Exterior lighting: headlights111,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder11—
Air bags10169,970 mi
Electrical system: ignition9—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system979,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly9—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control9—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal880,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module7—
Seats7—
Service brakes, air: antilock7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum7—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers6125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic670,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads6—
Suspension: front: control arm6—
Tires6—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump5—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft5—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments594,629 mi
Suspension: front5—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire5—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs5—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control4172,813 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system4—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors4168,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)4—
Power train: driveline: differential unit4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Steering4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Suspension485,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling370,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch3—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines3130,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3—
Steering: linkages3—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3—
Structure: frame and members3—
Suspension: rear3—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2125,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal2—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2—
Fuel system, other2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Power train: driveline: universal joint2—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)2108,328 mi
Seat belts22,383,864 mi
Service brakes264,160 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2—
Vehicle speed control: cables2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior291,248 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring230,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electrical system: wiring167,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical170,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1125,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings169,224 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module171,092 mi
Service brakes, air: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Structure1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: space saver wheel1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Chevrolet S10 model years

All Chevrolet S10 recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.