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1996 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 668 owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet S10, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

25
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.0× the S10 median · #3 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints668173 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage52kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 13, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chevrolet S10 has problems

668 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, hydraulic20941
Visibility1000
Air bags7467
Engine and engine cooling714
Power train684
Electrical system416
Vehicle speed control384
Equipment361
Suspension222
15 other systems13819

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

7 recalls

1996 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

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V-159 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 98V-150 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-146 · Sep 11, 1997 · 146,167 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–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

Visibility: windshield

Recall 97V-008 · Jan 27, 1997 · 55 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 96V-035 · Feb 22, 1996 · 24,906 vehicles

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…

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

1996 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 1996 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ABS BRAKING SYSTEMEA94038 · closed Feb 28, 2000
    Led to recall 99I006000
  2. SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATIONEA97004 · closed Aug 5, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-096
  3. SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLEEA99018 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    No recall
  4. 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.

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…
Complaint 10231790 · Jun 18, 2008
AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING IN THE LOT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A LAMP POST AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TC
Complaint 10091583 · Oct 1, 2004 · 52,000 miles
...FOR 3 YEARS CHEVROLET DEALERS TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ABS. THEN IN 2000, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE LABELED CAMPAIGN #C99046. ON 03/28/2000 TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. BILL STATES REPROGRAM PCM FOR NEW ANTILOCK PROGRAM...CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TODAY, BECAUSE…
Complaint 10071117 · Jan 15, 2004 · 70,000 miles

Own a 1996 S10?

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