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1998 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 613 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet S10, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.4× the S10 median · #4 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints613106 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 24, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Chevrolet S10 has problems

613 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
Visibility2003
Service brakes, hydraulic6716
Engine and engine cooling513
Electrical system507
Seats488
Power train400
Structure392
Air bags3737
Suspension241
19 other systems13915

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

6 recalls

1998 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

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 00V-374 · Nov 13, 2000 · 492 vehicles

Risk. IF THE TELLTALES ARE IGNORED AND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN, HEAT COULD BUILD UP AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.

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

Wiring: front underhood

Recall 97V-208 · Nov 25, 1997 · 33,973 vehicles

Risk. THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-218 · Nov 24, 1997 · 19,716 vehicles

Risk. PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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?

60kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 110 visibility complaints. 87% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 36% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles96under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESEA05008 · closed May 19, 2006
    No recall
  2. POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYEA99012 · closed Aug 10, 2001
    No recall
  3. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAKRQ04012 · closed Apr 14, 2005
    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 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT…
Complaint 10435579 · Nov 14, 2011 · 148,000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED BY BUMPY ROADS. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE WIPER CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD, A PROBLEM FOR WHICH TWO RECALLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED BY CHEVROLET BUT…
Complaint 10416823 · Aug 3, 2011 · 90,000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED BY BUMPY ROADS. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE WIPER CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD, A PROBLEM FOR WHICH TWO RECALLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED BY CHEVROLET BUT…
Complaint 10416819 · Aug 3, 2011 · 90,000 miles

Own a 1998 S10?

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