1996 Chevrolet S10 equipment problems

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

...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 BRAKES FAILED TODAY THE SAME WAY THEY DID BEFORE REPAIR IN 2000. ...I EXPLAINED THE S10 HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP ON 03/28/2000, AS SOON AS I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, AND THAT IT APPEARED REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. ...I WAS ADVISED THAT CAMPAIGN ENDED 12/2002. WHEN I REITERATED THAT I HAD WORK DONE WITHIN PARAMETERS OF CAMPAIGN,BUT NOW SAME PROBLEM HAD REOCCURRED, I WAS ADVISED IT DIDN'T MATTER, THE CAMPAIGN ENDED 12/2002. ...WHEN I SARCASTICALLY SAID, SO IF I KILL SOMEONE ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW BECAUSE OF ABS FAILURE, YOU'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE? THE RESPONSE WAS: ONLY IF IT HAPPENED BEFORE 12/2002.

NHTSA complaint #10071117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THEY RELEASE! AND I DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE NARROWLY MISSED OTHER CARS, AND HAVE HAD TO USE CURBS TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE OCCASIONS THAN THE ONE LISTED BELOW.

NHTSA complaint #10030832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THE A/C STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY EVAPORATOR. THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSED DRIFT/PULL. ENGINE COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE LEAKED. THE BALL JOINT FOR THE RIGHT-FRONT TIRE GAVE OUT. THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. SPEEDOMETER SEEMED TO BE OFF BY 5 MPH. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWN-POUR. THE DEVICE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10020819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM THERE WAS A SLIGHT RISE IN THE ROAD(1/2 INCH), THE CABLE BROKE AT THAT SPOT.

NHTSA complaint #8007928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FATIGUED NEAR WHEEL RETAINER AND TIRE FELL FROM VEHICLE; THEFT DETERRENT CABLE KEPT TIRE FROM FALLING COMPLETELY AWAY AND CAUSED TIRE TO LIFT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OTHER THAN A BENT REAR LICENSE PLATE. I FEAR THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OR IF THEFT DETERRENT CABLE IS NOT IN PLACE THE TIRE MAY FALL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR CAUSE A ROAD HAZARD. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM MY HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CABLE APPEARED TO BE FATIGUED AT THE POINT WHERE THE BREAK OCCURED. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO ASSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS PROCESSED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #754651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONING BELT TENSIONER NEEDS REPLACED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #785397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE DRIVING SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, AND TIRE FLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY WHERE RIM WAS DAMAGED . MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #887537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHEN ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED THE CABLE SUPPORTING THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE DROPPED AND WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK, THE REAR BUMPER AND THE ROAD CAUSING THE REAR TIES OF MY TRUCK TO BE LIFTED FROM THE ROAD. THE CABLE WAS SHEARED IN SUCH FASHON AS TO INDICATE VIBRATION CAUSED IT TO BREAK. HAS THIS HAPPENED AT ANY NORMAL DRIVING SPEED THE TIRE AND WHEEL WOULD HAVE BECOME POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROJECTILES AND THE I AM SURE THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE TURNED OVER. I WANT A BETTER MOUSETRAP UNDER MY TRUCK AND WILL NOT PUT THIS BACK WITHOUT A LOCK AND CHAIN AS A SECOND LINE OF SECURITY.

NHTSA complaint #733859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #554904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

HOLE IN THE A/C PLASTIC HOUSING HAS CAUSED ENGINE FUMES TO ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #554345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR FROM AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOL. NOTICED AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING AS WELL IN FALL OF 1999. SINCE WINTER WAS NEAR I DID NOT USE IT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SPRING. FIRST TIME IN THE SHOP NO LEAK FOUND BUT NO COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM. COOLANT REPLACED AND WORKED FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. THEN SAME PROBLEM. IN SHOP AGAIN AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW COMPRESSOR. SAID IT WAS LEAKING AROUND CASE OF COMPRESSOR. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ($1000). I ASKED GM TO HELP ME OUT WITH IT BECAUSE I FELT AN AIRCONDITIONER SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 4 YEARS. THEY DECLINED BECAUSE IT HAD 71,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #728674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

TWICE WHILE DRIVING MY SPARE TIRE HAS FALLEN OFF (DUE TO CABLE BREAKING).

NHTSA complaint #727972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

HARNESS WHICH IS HELD WITH COATED CABLE WIRE CORRODED AT ATTACHMENT TO HARNESS CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL ONTO ROAD AT 30 MPH. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #862878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

COMPRESSOR LEAKING AT CLUTCH SEAL.

NHTSA complaint #723154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT, THE AIR COMPRESSOR AN EXPENSIVE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #722232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #550660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

THE SPARE TIRE ON OUR TRUCK IS LOADED AND UNLOADED BY THE USE OF A WRENCH WHICH WHEN INSERTED IN A SLOT BY THE REAR LICENSE PLATE AND TURNED LOWERS AND RAISES THE SPARE TIRE. WHEN FULLY RAISED, THE TIRE RESTS AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED HELD THERE BY THE PRESSURE OF THE CABLE WHICH IS USED WHEN LOWERING AND RAISING THE TIRE. THE TIRE ON OUR TRUCK FELL OUT ONTO THE STREET BOUNCING OFF OF THE BOTTOM OF OUR TRUCK AND BENDING THE REAR LICENSE PLATE FRAME AND BREAKING THE SPARE TIRE CABLE ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE CABLE HAD WORN THROUGH AND BROKE FROM FRICTION AND EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS NOT PRESSED UP AGAINST THE TRUCK BED FIRMLY ENOUGH. I MYSELF, A 50 YEAR OLD MALE WHO HAS WORKED AROUND AUTOMOBILES MOST OF MY LIFE HAD RAISED THAT TIRE INTO THE SPARE WELL MYSELF ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. AFTER INSPECTING THE DAMAGE I DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE ITSELF WAS DOWN TO ONLY 10 LBS OF PRESSURE WHICH I ASSUME CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WHEN FULLY INFLATED AND RAISED FIRMLY INTO THE SPARE TIRE WELL AS IT WAS POSES NO PROBLEMS THAT I CAN SEE. IN FACT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL WAY TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE. THE PROBLEM ARISES WHEN THE SPARE TIRE LOSES IT'S AIR. IN OUR CASE IT WAS DOWN TO 10LBS THAT THE TIRE LOSES IT'S EXTERIOR DIAMETER OR ORIGINAL THICKNESS THERE BY LOOSENING IT'S FRICTION HOLD ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. THIS I BELIEVE IS WHAT CAUSED THE CABLE TO BREAK AND DROP THE TIRE ONTO THE STREET.EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE SPARE TIRE IN MY OPINION CAUSED THE CABLE TO BREAK. I COULDN'T IMAGINE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THANKYOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS AS I BELIEVE IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #701724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROM THE BEGINNING. I WOULD BE DRIVING IN POURING-DOWN RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD GO OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER. RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO WORK ON MY BRAKES THE FIRST YEAR AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THEREAFTER. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY AIR-CONDITIONER DONE. THE LATEST WAS MY WATER PUMP THAT I FIXED MYSELF. THE WORSE WAS MY MOTOR. I HAD BEEN STALLED A NUMBER OF TIMES TILL FINALLY IT WOULDN'T GO AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MICHAEL HOLLEY CHEVROLET IN LAKELAND (THE TOWN I WORKED IN). THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY SMARTCARE SAYING I HAD NOT CHANGED THE OIL. THAT WAS NOT TRUE SINCE I HAD CHANGED IT MYSELF AND HAD IT CHANGED ALSO. THEY WANTED OVER 3000 FOR A NEW MOTOR. I AM AND WAS STILL PAYING ON MY TRUCK AND DID NOT HAVE THAT MUCH CASH. I HAD TO TOW IT AT MY MOTHERS AND PARK IT. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT THE CHEVROLET DEALERS HAD REMOVED THE ALTERNATOR BELT AND HAD LEFT IT LOOSE. THAT DID NOT GIVE ME ANY CONFIDENCE IN THEM. 4 MONTHS LATER MY MOTHER'S CAR WAS TOTALLED AND SHE PAID FOR ME TO GET A MOTOR FROM AN AMOCO DEALER. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1999 MY MOTHER WAS SURFING THE NET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE ALMOST FROM THE FIRST AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED AT ALL. I WROTE TO THE HOME OFFICE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I STILL OWE 2 YEARS PAYMENTS. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY MOTOR WENT OUT ON ME SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE VERY WELL HAPPENED. I FEEL SURE THAT I WILL NEVER TRUST IN CHEVY'S PRODUCTS AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #713753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

REAR AXLE FELL OFF WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THERFORE TRUCK DID NOT TURN OVER. COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID INFERIOR PLASTIC PARTS USED. FURTHERMORE, ANTI- LOCK BREAKS MALFUNCTION WHEN THE GROUND IS WET/DAMP. THE FLY WHEEL IS GONE. THE AIRCONDITIONER IS BROKEN. THE CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. THE TAIL GATE IS BOKEN. NOT TO MENTION 7 RECALLS ALREADY.

NHTSA complaint #713325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. ALSO SPARE TIRE FELL OUT WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSE A CRASH/ PROBLEMS WITH GRILL FALLING OUT, AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELT TIGHTENS WHILE IN USE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #849438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED THROUGH REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW SPARE TIRE HIT THE GROUND AND BOUNCED OVER THE GUARDRAIL AND INTO THE SAVANNAH RIVER. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE NEVER BEEN USED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TIRE VENDOR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CABLE HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #848035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE CARRIER MALFUNCTIONED AND TIRE CAME OFF FROM UNDER TRUCK AT 55 MPH AND NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK SOMETIMES. ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCK UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN ROAD SURFACE IS WET.

NHTSA complaint #709329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH SPARE TIRE CAME OFF DUE TO THE CABLE BREAKING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT OF THE REAR MIRROR AND NOTICED SPARE TIRE ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #837947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

PE99004, THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE WIRE BROKE(15,000 MILES), CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL BEHIND THE TRUCK THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH, BUT THERE WAS A CABLE LOCK THAT BROKE THE FALL TO THE STREET. DEALER REPLACED THE WIRE, AT 30,000 MILES THE REPLACED WIRE BROKE, THE TIRE FELL BUT NEVER HIT THE STREET BECAUSE OF THE LOCK. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *JG

NHTSA complaint #840089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

FREON LEAKED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. UNUSUAL FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO FAIL AFTER 38,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #706313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE TRUCK ON DRIVEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO 3 OR 4 OTHER TRUCK'S. I WAS TOLD TO HANG ON THE PHONE WHILE THEY CHECKED FOR AVAILABILITY OF THE TIRE WINCH, AND TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD COST ME AROUND $48,00 AND THAT IT WAS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE AREA SERVICE REP.I INFORMED HIM OF MY CONCERN, AS I STATED TO HIM WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN IF THE TIRE HAD FALLEN OF THE TRUCK WHEN OR IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 73 MILES PER HR. ? COULD IT HAVE COUGHT THE REAR BUMPER AND FLIP MY TRUCK. OR IF IT HAD MISSED ME HOW ABOUT SOME ONE FOLLOWING AT THE SAME SPEED. I ALSO TOLD HIM THAT I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING ON THE HIGHWAY FOLLOWING BIHIND A CHEVY S-10. I THINK THIS IS A VERY LEGITEMATE CONCERN DUE TO THE POOR MANUFACTURE / DESIGN OF OF THIS ITEM. THIS ITEM SUPPORTS A FULL SIZE TIRE ON THIS TRUCK'S.THE WEIGHT, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY IS A GOOD 50 LBS.AND IS ONLY ABOUT 1/4 OF AN INCH. STEEL CABLE, THAT HAS TO BE WINCHED TIGHT SO THAT THE TIRE DOESN'T RATTLE IN THE BACK. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS DESIGN HASN'T ALLREADY CUSED SOME ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAYS.... PLEASE IF ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CALL ME @ 504-649-0636 AFTER 4 PM ANY DAY DURING THE WEEK. THANK'S

NHTSA complaint #700170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE APPARENTLY FELL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #704225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.