Model year record

1997 Chevrolet S10

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 574 owner complaints on file.

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 00V159000

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
306
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-16
Owners notified
2000-07-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V069200

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
576
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-03
Owners notified
2000-03-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.

Safety risk

HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY WITH A REDESIGNED CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V177000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
354
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-04
Owners notified
1998-08-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

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 slip6445,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor6283,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3885,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3390,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3148,023 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline15
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components15
Vehicle speed control12150,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1142,000 mi
Unknown or other11102,000 mi
Air bags1080,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly10
Service brakes, hydraulic985,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments972,000 mi
Fuel system, other882,000 mi
Electrical system762,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine713,465 mi
Electrical system: ignition698,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump641,050 mi
Seats6136,753 mi
Engine and engine cooling549,773 mi
Structure: body577,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint5139,000 mi
Visibility5105,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack4
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines410,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4
Power train: clutch assembly4145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Suspension497,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Visibility/wiper490,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module362,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe373,000 mi
Exterior lighting382,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit313,465 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly371,274 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor390,000 mi
Service brakes3150,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings393,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum3
Structure: frame and members3
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire335,780 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor349,773 mi
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2149,026 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Fuel system, gasoline250,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery260,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings210,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system290,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2150,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch287,900 mi
Power train2
Seat belts2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2100,000 mi
Steering2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer2114,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel142,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electronic stability control (ESC)182,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1105,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock142,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)189,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, electric182,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist162,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system162,000 mi
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1130,000 mi
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1139,000 mi
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring193,120 mi
Wheels183,213 mi
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.