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1997 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 469 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

33
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the S10 median · #5 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints469105 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage85kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 22, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet S10 has problems

469 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
Visibility1135
Service brakes, hydraulic9516
Power train492
Air bags4738
Engine and engine cooling402
Fuel system, gasoline262
Vehicle speed control211
Structure202
Fuel system, other201
16 other systems10317

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

6 recalls

1997 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

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 00V-159 · Jun 16, 2000 · 306 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD WEAR OFF THE CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE BRAKE PIPE, LEADING TO PREMATURE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall 98V-177 · Aug 4, 1998 · 354 vehicles

Risk. IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–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 →

–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 →

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.

Mileage at failure

When do visibility problems start?

85kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 32 visibility complaints. 66% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 23% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles21under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 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 1997 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. SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATIONPE96061 · closed Feb 28, 1997
    No recall
  4. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLYRQ04002 · closed May 27, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What S10 owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO…
Complaint 10422928 · Sep 1, 2011 · 105,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITION WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THERE…
Complaint 10372102 · Dec 22, 2010 · 60,000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED ALL DIFFERENT SETTING BUT WIPER DID NOT WORK SO I PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED AND THEY HAD STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (03V159000) WHILE RESEARCHING…
Complaint 10335737 · Jun 10, 2010 · 140,000 miles

Own a 1997 S10?

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