1996 Chevrolet S10

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 668 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 10 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

36 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip158
33011
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor58
000
Air Bags › Frontal56
52032
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer23
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline22
110
Power Train › Automatic Transmission19
010
Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack17
000
Vehicle Speed Control16
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine13
010
Unknown or Other12
201

10 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer03V159000
Filed Apr 28, 20031,755,876 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip99V193000
Filed Jul 19, 19991,125,749 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip99I006000
Filed Jul 19, 19992,400,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.

Risk. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer98V150001
Filed Jul 1, 19981,557,585 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings97V146001
Filed Sep 11, 1997146,167 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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

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.

Seat Belts97V096001
Filed Jun 12, 1997586,058 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Visibility › Windshield97V008001
Filed Jan 27, 199755 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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."

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

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

Power Train › Manual Transmission96V035000
Filed Feb 22, 199624,906 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 13, 2018340,000 milesCA

I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION IN WHICH MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP MY VEHICLE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES DURING A SUDDEN STOP, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SLOW DOWN MY TRUCK BUT THEN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH A RUBBING NOISE AND MY TRUCK KEPT TRAVELING UNTIL I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 201764,160 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY, AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY COMPLETELY. GILCREST CHEVROLET BUICK GMC IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CITED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V193000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,160.

Seat BeltsFire
Filed Jun 9, 20162,383,864 milesFL

DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WOULDN'T LATCH. DRIVING AND SMELLED SMOKE. SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DRIVERS SIDE DASH. STOPPED AND SAW MELTED WIRES. SEATBELT INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OUT.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 11, 2014CA

THE ACCIDENT WAS ALMOST HEAD ON MAINLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS HARD THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF IN THE OTHER CAR BUT NEITHER ONE OF OURS WENT OFF. FOR ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE TRUCK WOULD STALL AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 18, 20143,000 milesMI

FOR YEARS MY CHEVY S-10 1996 2WD TRUCK WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON THE ROAD OFTEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CHEVY LOOKED AT THE TRUCK MANY TIMES AND ALWAYS SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE TIME THEY TALKED ME INTO A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AT 36100 MILES. THEY DIDN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE SHUTOFF PROBLEM AND HAPPENED BEFORE THE 36K WARRANTY LIMIT. THAT COST ME NEARLY 4000 DOLLARS. THEY TRUCK CONTINUED TO SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR YEARS. IT WASN'T TILL A MECHANIC NOT AFFILIATED WITH GM TOLD ME TO STOP USING MORE THAN ONE KEY ON MY KEYCHAIN. THIS GM IGNITION RECALL GOES WAY BEYOND 2005 AND COBALTS. IT GOES BACK TO EARLY 90'S S-10 TRUCKS. NOW WE SHOULD KNOW WHY GM NEVER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRUCK AND DROPPED THE S-10 IN THE MID 2000'S. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 30, 2013169,970 milesFL

THE LADY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I TBONED HER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 18, 201099,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsCrash
Filed Jun 18, 2008OH

1996 CHEVY S10 ATTEMPTED TO SLOW BUT HAD EQUIPMENT FAILURE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. CONSUMER THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AHEAD, DROVE ONTO THE CEMENT CURB, AND STRUCK A POLE. *NJ UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF THE BRAKE LINES ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND REAR WERE LEAKING. THE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS VERY LOW AND IN FACT WAS EMPTY ON THE HALF DESIGNATED FOR THE REAR BRAKE. THE DRIVER ADMITTED USING THE WRONG TYPE OF BRAKE LINE FITTING WHEN HE DID THE BRAKE SERVICING. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0433-91 THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON AND AROUND THE REAR AXLE. UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Nov 12, 2007125,000 milesIL

STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HAZARD/BRAKE LIGHT FUSE BLOWING OCCASIONALLY ABOUT 2.5 YR AGO... RECENTLY THE FUSE BLOWS ALMOST AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE VEHICLE ON. BULBS ARE GOOD AND LIGHTS WORK UNTIL THE FUSE BLOWS. I'VE REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE IN THAT SAME PERIOD OF TIME. THE MOST RECENT TIME HAD NO EFFECT ON THE FUSES BLOWING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Nov 6, 200686,000 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RADIATOR OVERHEATED, AND THE TEMPERATE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE RED LINE. THERE WAS YELLOW FLUID THAT OVERFLOWED FROM THE RESERVOIR AND HAD RUSTED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO FLUSH THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Apr 9, 2006MN

I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES NOW, THE 2ND TIME I WOULD DRIVE AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLASH HIGH AND LOW LIKE A POLICE CAR, NOW MY DAY TIME HEADLAMPS DO NOT WORK? INCIDENT DATES ARE NOT CORRECT NOT SURE. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Mar 14, 200694,629 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE KNEELING ON THE TAILGATE BOTH CABLES BROKE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CABLES WERE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Jan 10, 200691,248 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE MIRRORS ON THE DOORS WERE LOOSE AT THE BASE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED BOTH MIRROR ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 29, 2005164,000 milesWV

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 1996 CHEVROLET S-10 WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TRUCK WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES, INCLUDING WHIPLASH, A SWOLLEN HEAD, CUT AND SCRAPS, FACIAL ABRASIONS, AND INJURIES TO THE CHEST/LEGS/STOMACH AND A BLACK EYE. THE SEAT BELTS DID CONTAIN THE DRIVER TO THE SEAT. THE DRIVER HAD MARKS ON THE STOMACH LEFT FROM THE SEAT BELT. BUT, THE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER SAVED HIM FROM FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS FACE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE BACK WINDOW WAS SHATTERED AND FRONT WINDOW BUSTED, AND THE DOOR CAME OPEN. . THE CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO AN URGENT CARE FACILITY. THE SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR CONSUMER'S COMPANY TOOK CARE OF THE ACCIDENT, AND DID NOT CALL THE POLICE. THE COMPANY PREPAIRED A REPORT AND HAD PICTURES. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator ModuleCrash
Filed Jul 14, 2005NC

I WAS DRIVING A CHEVY S-10 WHEN A LADY PULLED IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF ABOUT 55-60 MPH. I ENDED UP HITTING HER CAR AND IN TURN MY TRUCK ROLLED OVER SEVERAL (6-10) TIMES. THE WHOLE TRUCK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER AND SIDE TO SIDE AND TOP TO BOTTOM WAS DESTROYED. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. THE SEATBELT DID ITS JOB BUT NO AIRBAG CAME OUT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER HERE IN CONCORD 2 YEARS AGO. I AM VERY BRUISED AND CUT AND VERY UPSET THAT JUST MAYBE IF THAT AIRBAG HAD WORKED I WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN ALL THAT GLASS ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE FLYING MY WAY. I KNOW THAT AN AIRBAG WORKS WHEN IT IS HIT JUST RIGHT, BUT AS I STATED THERE IS NO PART ON THAT TRUCK THAT WAS NOT HIT INCLUDING THE FRONT BUMPER AS IT IS ALMOST OFF THE TRUCK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS TAKING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AS WE SPEAK BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS PICTURES AND WITNESSES TO THIS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THAT I DID NOT PUT ALL MY SAFETY ASSURANCES INTO THIS AIRBAG. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME. CHRISTINE FLORO

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jun 15, 2005172,813 milesTX

DT: ONE OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD SHORTED OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. EVERYTIME STARTING THE VEHICLE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND ONE CAN SMELL BURNING PLASTIC. SATURDAY GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 2, 200565,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BUNGY THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE GAVE WAY, RELEASING THE SPARE TIRE.*AK *SB *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 22, 20051,000 milesCA

1) THE HEAD LIGHTS ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET S10 HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT. AT FIRST, WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGH BEAMS, THEY WOULD STAY ON FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE, THEN I WOULD LOSE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THIS SITUATION IS GETTING STEADILY WORSE. NOW THE LOW BEAMS ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM. 2) THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK, MEANING THAT I CAN'T DRIVE IT AT NIGHT OR WHEN IT RAINS. STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BE ON WHEN YOU USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. 3) I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THE SERVICE PERSONNEL JUST TAKE THE MONEY AND NEVER SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Mar 30, 200530,000 milesMO

THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT SHORT IN THE WIPER CONTROL/ MOTOR SYSTEM THAT EACH TIME I REPORTED IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERS IN THIS AREA WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM . AND THAT THERE WERE NOT ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS KIND. AS I CAN SEE FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE THIS IS PATENTLY UNTRUE. SINCE MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PAST WARRANTY DUE TO YOUR AGENTS STALLING TACTICS , IF THIS LETTER DOES NOT BRING REDRESS TO THIS ISSUE I WILL BE FORCED TO TURN THIS ISSUE OVER TO MY ATTORNEYS. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Jan 18, 200577,000 milesOH

NORMAL USE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE; WAS LOADING A RIDING LAWNMOWER INTO MY CHEVY S-10 PICKUP WHEN BOTH TAILGATE CABLES FAILED, INJURING MY FRIEND. I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE STRAPS, AS THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP. COST WAS OVER $300! *NM

20 of 668 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20183000Routine
20171000Routine
20161000Routine
20070100Routine
20061100Routine
20050100Routine
200421310Routine
2003178411Fatalities reported
2002214323Fatalities reported
2001308560Above average
2000471983Fatalities reported
1999231520Above average
19986131190High concern
1997469883Fatalities reported
1996 — this page66810111Fatalities reported
19959118131Fatalities reported
1994967871Fatalities reported
19932336110Above average
1992180681Fatalities reported
19911749102Fatalities reported
199029500Routine

Compare every S10 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.