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1987 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1987 Chevrolet S10, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

91
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years90% below the S10 median · #18 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints273 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 7, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Chevrolet S10 has problems

27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts70
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Engine and engine cooling40
Structure40
Power train40
Fuel system, gasoline41
Vehicle speed control31
Visibility20
Exterior lighting21
4 other systems60

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1987 Chevrolet S10 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Gear box: shaft sector

Recall 96V-195 · Oct 8, 1996 · 144,598 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 87V-021 · Feb 25, 1987 · 60 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO INNER TIE RODDISENGAGEMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A TRUCKCRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other S10 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S10 median. How we score

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR AXLE SHAFTEA89003 · closed Aug 24, 1990
    No recall
  2. FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKTPE88002 · closed Apr 22, 1988
    No recall
  3. REAR AXLE FAILUREPE88047 · closed Nov 7, 1988
    No recall
  4. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What S10 owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM BROKE, CAUSING BELT NOT TO RETRACT INTO MECHANISM, AFTER RELEASING SEAT BELT FROM BELT BUCKLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 821793 · Mar 3, 1998
BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.
Complaint 541621 · Sep 23, 1998

Own a 1987 S10?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.