FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet S10 acceleration problems

41 of the 875 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet S10 are about the throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.

B

41

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 20 48.8%
Cruise Control 9 22.0%
Accelerator Pedal 8 19.5%
Cables 2 4.9%
Linkages 2 4.9%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Chevrolet S10 year

1993 12 6.6%
1994 42 23.1%
1995 30 16.5%
1996 41 22.5%
1997 22 12.1%
1998 18 9.9%
2000 17 9.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Carlyle, IL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH DRIVER'S BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, HIT A GUARD RAIL, AND ROLLED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED BUT DRIVER REFUSED TO GO WITH THE ANBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #10073543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vallonia, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE CHEVROLET S-10. *MR THE CONSUMER STARTED TO ACCELERATE UP A HILL AND SUDDENLY SHOT UP THE HILL AS THE TACHOMETER HAD GONE ERRATIC. THE CONSUMER THEN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, THEN SLID. THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SQUALLED THE TIRES BACKWARDS, THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AGAIN. (THIS REPEATED AGAIN ON THE DRIVEWAY, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PREVIOUS OCCURRENCE) THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO A BROKEN THROTTLE CABLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOCKED INTO POSTION WHILE AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY- WAS ABLE TO FREE PEDAL WITH SOME REARWARD PRYING MOTION WITH MY FOOT. THERE HAS BEEN 2 OCCURRENCES OF THIS INCIDENT SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK. BOTH HAPPENED ON VERY HOT DAYS IN PHOENIX.

NHTSA complaint #10033412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LEE, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE STOPPING AT LIGHT AND DEPRESSING PEDAL VEHICLE SURGED. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ONOFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #884653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT AT APPROX 30 MPH THE FUEL INJECTION ASSIST RETURN CABLE BROKE AND THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. I WAS ABLE TO MANUVER BETWEEN THE VEHICLES IN TRAFFIC AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS LUCKEY, SOME OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND HAVE GOTTEN A RESPONSE THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED MY COMPLAINT, BUT I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS CONDITION TO THE DOT BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ON THE UNCONTROLLED FULL THROTTLE MOVEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #739309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gadsden, AL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. BRAKES DID SLOWDOWN VEHICLE, BUT IT TOOK TIME WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. COMMON PROBLEM. *AK PREVIOUSLY ABS WAS ON RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #868006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waverly, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE ENGINE SURGED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #862241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sweeny, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE SPEED WILL INCREASE FROM IDLE TO 2400 RPM WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. WHEN IN MOTION, THIS CONDITION CREATES A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY FOR THE DRIVER TO GET ENGINE CONTROL BACK FROM THE COMPUTER (?) IS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM - FOR A YEAR NOW - AND OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT LIGHT HADN'T COME ON. I HAVE ALSO E-MAILED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLY OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ASIDE FROM BEING AN INCONVIENIANCE, THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE SPEED CONTROL IS CONTRIBUTING TO EXCESSIVE BRAKE AND CLUTCH WEAR, AND HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL WITH POSSIBLE ASSOCIATED LOSS OF LIFE. PLEASE HELP. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 1996 S-10'S THAT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO A BAD COMPUTER PROGRAM IN THE PCM COMPUTER. CHEVY DON'T SEEM TOO INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT, SO YOU'RE MY LAST HOPE IN GETTING THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED. THANK-YOU.

NHTSA complaint #716257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sweeny, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ENGINE SPEED WILL INCREASE FROM IDLE TO 2400 RPM WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. WHEN IN MOTION, THIS CONDITION CREATES A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY FOR THE DRIVER TO GET ENGINE CONTROL BACK FROM THE COMPUTER (?) IS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM - FOR A YEAR NOW - AND OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT LIGHT HADN'T COME ON. I HAVE ALSO E-MAILED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLY OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ASIDE FROM BEING AN INCONVIENIANCE, THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE SPEED CONTROL IS CONTRIBUTING TO EXCESSIVE BRAKE AND CLUTCH WEAR, AND HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL WITH POSSIBLE ASSOCIATED LOSS OF LIFE. PLEASE HELP. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 1996 S-10'S THAT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO A BAD COMPUTER PROGRAM IN THE PCM COMPUTER. CHEVY DON'T SEEM TOO INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT, SO YOU'RE MY LAST HOPE IN GETTING THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED. THANK-YOU.

NHTSA complaint #716257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulton, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TACHOMETER--ERRATIC OPERATION. WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER LET OFF THROTTLE, BUT CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #508248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sidney, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER TAPPED BRAKES TO SHUT OFF CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT DIDN'T RELEASE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS CUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #844709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chambersburg, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ONGOING PROBLEMS: WHENEVER THE CLUTCH IS APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RPM. DEALER INSPECTED / REPAIRED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURS. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #843259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cumberland, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #706335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW City, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

UPON ACCELERATION IDLE SPEED INCREASES TO 1200-2400 RPM, IDLES BACK DOWN WHEN STOPPING, SERVICED 8 TIMES, ACCELERATOR CABLE/AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.

NHTSA complaint #544513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW City, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

UPON ACCELERATION IDLE SPEED INCREASES TO 1200-2400 RPM, IDLES BACK DOWN WHEN STOPPING, SERVICED 8 TIMES, ACCELERATOR CABLE/AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.

NHTSA complaint #544513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Racine, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHEN DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR HAS A GRINDING FEELING, VIBRATION UNDER DRIVER'S FEET. ALSO, ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CAN FEEL THE SAME THING ON THE FLOORBOARD. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROVIIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #832848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freedom, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHEN FOOT IS RELEASED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE RESUMES SPEED AND DOES NOT SLOW, CREATING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.

NHTSA complaint #503931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prescott, AZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DRIVER EXPERIENCES PROBLEM WITH ERRATIC IDLE SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #538319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Griffith, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

INTERMITTENTLY THE IDLE SPEED COMES UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN THE SAME SPEED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #824578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cypress, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE THROTTLE STICKS, CAUSE ENGINE TO ACCELERATE TO 2000 RPMS.

NHTSA complaint #522987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Severn, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

GOING INTO DRIVEWAY CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON BRAKES WHICH CARRIED DOWN THE ACCELERATOR WITH BRAKE,CAUSED ENGINE'S FENCE. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #819848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ogden, UT Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

GOING ABOUT 60MPH W/ CRUISE CONTROL ON; WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO RELEASE. VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE & AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. HAVE A COPY OF POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #820526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hindman, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK RPMS WILL NOT GO DOWN BETWEEN SHIFTS, VEHICLE IDLES UP AND DOWN AT TIMES, DEALER HAD REPLACED VCM, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND IAC MOTOR, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #818687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hindman, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK RPMS WILL NOT GO DOWN BETWEEN SHIFTS, VEHICLE IDLES UP AND DOWN AT TIMES, DEALER HAD REPLACED VCM, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND IAC MOTOR, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #818687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redondo Beach, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #603529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ipava, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

IDLE STICKS AT VARIOUS RPM.

NHTSA complaint #520673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenfield, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THE THROTTLE ON THE TRUCK STICKS AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #814333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rapid City, SD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

UPON RELEASING FORCE TO THE ACCELARATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO TRAVEL AT THE SAME SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #809452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quapaw, OK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE GOES INTO HIGH IDLE, RMPS REACH UP TO HIGHER THAN 2200, TURN ENGINE OFF STOP THE HIGH IDLE.

NHTSA complaint #809296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleburg, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLE DOES NO DECELERATE WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA complaint #546756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet S10 problems

← Full 1996 Chevrolet S10 report