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1990 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet S10, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

90
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years89% below the S10 median · #16 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints295 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 16, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Chevrolet S10 has problems

29 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
Service brakes, hydraulic105
Fuel system, gasoline40
Engine and engine cooling40
Structure31
Seat belts21
Tires20
Equipment20
Interior lighting10
Visibility10
2 other systems20

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

2 recalls

1990 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

1990 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 1990 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

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

What S10 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

A JEEP WITH A BIKE MOUNTED ON A BIKE RACK STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT QUICKLY LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SWERVE, BUT HIT THE REAR OF THE JEEP, DAMAGING THE BIKE AND BIKE RACK. SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY GRILLE, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT…
Complaint 10572700 · Mar 16, 2014 · 98,858 miles
ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS AND COMPLETE FAILURE IMPACT 10:00 POSITION SPEED 35 MPH. TT
Complaint 958332 · Jan 6, 1995
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED FRONT WHEELS LOCK, AND REAR WHEELS KEEP TURNING, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Complaint 878310 · Jan 17, 2001

Own a 1990 S10?

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