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1994 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 967 owner complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet S10, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

21
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.8× the S10 median · #2 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints967163 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 29, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Chevrolet S10 has problems

967 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, hydraulic520106
Visibility2412
Engine and engine cooling667
Vehicle speed control395
Fuel system, gasoline380
Power train374
Electrical system283
Suspension210
Structure201
13 other systems10919

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

5 recalls

1994 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

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 99V-193 · Jul 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 97V-096 · Jun 12, 1997 · 586,058 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 94V-228 · Nov 21, 1994 · 30,263 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED ENGINE IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AFTER DEPLETION OF THE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 94V-014 · Jan 26, 1994 · 117,200 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, IT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES AND THE VENT TUBE TO CRACK.

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

1994 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 1994 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ABS BRAKING SYSTEMEA94038 · closed Feb 28, 2000
    Led to recall 99I006000
  2. SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLEEA99018 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    No recall
  3. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSPE94046 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall
  4. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLPE96048 · closed Nov 13, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-195
  5. SEPARATION OF SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLEPE99004 · closed Jun 30, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What S10 owners report

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

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP. WHILE ON THE NY THROUGHWAY AT MILE POST 145 WEST BOUND WITH TWO LANES OF VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC ALL THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CONTACT'S VEHICLE WERE HITTING THE BRAKES BECAUSE IT WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ON THE OUTSIDE PASSING LANE GOING…
Complaint 10130877 · Aug 1, 2005
I PURCHASED MY 1994 CHEVY S-10, VIN [XXX], NEW IN '94. WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM, THE ADJUSTORS ARE SHOVING THE SHOES TOO TIGHT AGAINST THE DRUMS, CAUSING THEM TO DRAG, GLAZING THE SHOES, & AFTER PERIODS OF TIME, BURNING UP…
Complaint 10124425 · Jun 7, 2005 · 30,000 miles
VEHICLE'S ABS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*MR THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BUT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE UNIROYAL TIRES SEEMED TO BE OUT OF ROUND. *NM *JB
Complaint 10092597 · Sep 14, 2004

Own a 1994 S10?

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