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1989 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 48 owner complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet S10, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

84
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years81% below the S10 median · #14 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints489 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem10Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 12, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Chevrolet S10 has problems

48 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 belts101
Tires61
Electrical system62
Engine and engine cooling42
Structure40
Fuel system, gasoline40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Steering30
Seats20
8 other systems101

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

2 recalls

1989 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

Cooling system: fan

Recall 93V-008 · Jan 14, 1993 · 215,052 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE…

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

1989 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
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. LIFT GATE FALLS OFFDP90006 · closed Jul 24, 1990
    No recall
  2. HIGH IDLE FLAREEA92015 · closed May 28, 1993
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA94029 · closed Jul 31, 1996
    No recall
  4. HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILUREPE91057 · closed Jul 12, 1991
    No recall
  5. HIGH IDLE FLAREPE92001 · closed May 22, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What S10 owners report

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

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE BACKREST HINGE AND A HOLE IS NOW WORN INTO THE BELT FABRIC. HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE OFF. GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN BLOWING SNOW MELTED ONTO THE WARM CABLE AND FLOWED BETWEEN THE OUTER SHIELD AND THE CABLE. IT THEN FROZE WHEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE…
Complaint 546868 · Feb 26, 1997

Own a 1989 S10?

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