40 of the
574 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 are about the
engine — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
63,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING HOME HE NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. HE CONTINUED DRIVING, AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE FIGHTERS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED GM PLACED AN OVERSIZED 6 CYLINDER MOTOR IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/09/09
NHTSA complaint #10289251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesCandler, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND SOMETIMES WOULD RESTART ON ITS OWN. ALSO, SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE NOT TO REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10059669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center Ossipee, NH2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS LETTING OFF EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE VEHICLE, WHICH PUT THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER TO SLEEP. THE DRIVER WAS AWAKENED BY A POLICE SIREN. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE BRAKES FAILED TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SUFFERED MUSCLE AND NERVE DAMAGE DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
NHTSA complaint #10056010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,773 milesEuclid, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE MADE A CHOKING NOISE LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL THEN, IT STOPPED ACCELERATING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE GASKET, SEALS, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, AT 49,773 REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER QUIT WORKING BECAUSE OF A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10056034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,500 milesHorsham, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER OIL INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED, GRINDING NOISE W/ VIBRATION CAME FROM DASHBOARD. HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN IDLING ON COLD DAYS. VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN GAS PEDAL. REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM, NOISE CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #10049002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesWinchester, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PER DEALERSHIP "THERE IS AN OIL GALLERY BLOCK IN THE CAMPSHAFT THAT CAUSES AN OIL LEAKAGE". THIS RESULTS IN ENGINE MOTOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10033549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithonia, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE TIMING BELT BROKE TWICE. THE LAST TIME IT BROKE WAS ON 2/27/2003. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND IMMEDIATELY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEP BOYS, THEY STATED THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND THE VEHICLE DID HAVE ANY AIR COMPRESSION. *AK PH
NHTSA complaint #10024931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
I BOUGHT A CHEVY TRUCK BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 FROM THE J.D. BYRIDER STORE IN ST. PETERSBURG, FL AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. THE RADIATOR WAS ALWAYS RUNNING HOT AND FOUND THAT THE WATER WAS SO RUSTY THAT THE WHOLE RADIATOR WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR AS WELL AS THE WATER PUMP. I TRIED TO EXCHANGE THE TRUCK FOR SOMETHING BETTER, BUT THE STAFF FROM THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL STORE WOULD NOT DO IT. CLAIMING I WAS LOCKED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM THAT COULD NOT BE BROKEN. I EXPLAINED THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN APPARENTLY NEGLECTED BEFORE I WAS SUCKERED INTO GETTING IT AND THAT I WAS NOT HAPPY. I STILL CONTINUED TO PAY PAYMENTS ON TIME EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO PAY FOR OTHER REPAIRS MYSELF. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY RIGHT AWAY $500.00 DOLLARS FOR A RADIATOR AND $400.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE A NEW WATER PUMP INSTALLED SO I MADE DO UNTIL I COULD. THEN, I WAS RECENTLY LAYED OFF FROM MY JOB AND THE D.J. BUSINESS HAD ALSO BEEN SLOW FOR MY ROOMMATE/CO-PARTNER AND ASKED IF THE ST. PETESBURG STORE WOULD WORK WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL WE GOT THE MONEY TOGETHER AND WHILE I SEEK ANOTHER EMPLOYER. AT FIRST THE MANAGER OVER THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT SAID HE WOULD WORK WITH US SINCE THE LAST THING THEY LIKE TO DO IS TO REPOSSESS OUR TRUCK, THEN THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A NASTY MESSAGE FROM A STAFF MEMBER OF THE ST. PETESBURG, FL STORE BY THE NAME OF BRETT BOWEN WHO SAID THAT THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO BE REPOSESSED BECAUSE WE HAD MOVED WITHOUT LETTING THEM KNOW FIRST. I E-MAILED BRETT BACK SAYING THAT THIS WAS WRONG AND THAT I HAD ALREADY MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH HIS BOSS AND THAT I WOULD PREFER TALKING TO HIS BOSS FOR NOW ON. NO ONE WOULD CONTACT ME BACK, SO I CONTACTED THE MAIN HEADQUARTERS ONLINE AND LET THEM KNOW MY PROBLEM WITH ST. PETERSBURG. NO ONE EVEN CONTACTED ME BACK FROM THERE, SO I SENT ANOTHER ON-LINE MESSAGE AND WAS AGAIN IGNORED. THEN ON 04/30/03 I FOUND MY TRUCK MISSING, WITHOUT ANY NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10016933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,026 milesHales Corners, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DEX-COOL COOLANT EATING AWAY AT GASKETS. PH
NHTSA complaint #10007535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,465 milesCorona, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL CHECKED. THERE WERE BITS OF METAL FOUND IN THE OIL, AND THE ORIGINAL SEAL HAD NOT BEEN BROKEN. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesHonolulu, HI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
LEAKING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD
NHTSA complaint #10000774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WE TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER AT FIRST SIGN OF PROBLEM AND COST WAS $826. I'VE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETS AND THEIR HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS. I CAN'T GET HELP FROM CHEV. OR GM IN RECOUPING MY MONEY. I'VE A FRIEND WHO HAS BLAZER AND HAD SAME PROBLEM LAST WEEK AND HE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW RADIATOR. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE AND THE MFG. SHOULD USE DIFFERENT COOLANT.
NHTSA complaint #765946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grayling, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS PROBLEM IS MAGNIFIED WITH WINTER DRIVING ON ICY ROADS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GENERAL MOTORS CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #757405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kulpmont, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ORIGINAL AND 3 ADDITIONAL IGNITION COILS, CAPS, AND HARNESSES CORRODED IN A 4 YR TIME SPAN. ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MOST RECENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SO BADLY MELTED, TWISTED & DAMAGED THE MECHANIC STATED THAT I WAS "LUCKY" NOT TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ENGINE BLOWN. ALSO, HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING THIS BADLY DAMAGED IN HIS 25 YRS OF SERVICING MANY MAKES OF VEHICLES. THIS IS A 4 YR OLD VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE A TREND IS ESTABLISHED FOR REPLACING THESE SAME PARTS APPX. EVERY 17-20,000 MILES AND 10 MONTHS APART - JUST LONG ENOUGH THAT GM WILL NOT HONOR THE PARTS WARRANTIES. I DO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE LONG DISTANCES (300 MILES ONE WAY EACH WEEK TO A WORKSITE) BUT ALSO MAINTAIN IT TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECS. I THOUGHT I BOUGHT A RELIABLE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEPENDABILITY IS QUESTIONED WHEN THE VEHICLE LOSES MOMENTUM AND STALLS ON HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY POPS ON, & I'M PAYING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY FOR TOWING & REPLACEMENT PARTS TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM GM WILL NOT ADMIT TO HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM HAS NOT ACKNOWLEGED THIS PROBLEM OR RESOLVED IT IN ANY WAY. A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS, AS WELL AS THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SPARK PLUGS (AT 73,000) WHICH WERE CORRODED DUE TO THE CORRODED IGNITION COILS. ADDITIONAL INFO AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ALL INVOICES IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #750935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elsie, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
CLUTCH FAN KEEPS FLYING OFF INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER REPLACED FAN ONCE, AND CURRENTLY WELDS ON CLUTCH FAN ARE BROKEN AGAIN. CONSUMER FEELS SOMETHING IS CAUSING FANS TO BREAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #891805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clear Water, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTAKE GASKET BURNED OUT AND ALLOWED ANTI-FREEZE IN ENGINE OIL. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. MECHANIC PUT IN SAME TYPE OF INTAKE GASKET BACK INTO VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR ENGINE TO BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #887383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gretna, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHECROLET S-10 PICKUPS. AT TIMES EXHAUST FUMES WILL BUILD UP AND ENTER THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #737261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa City, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #737361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Hill, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE TO 50 MPH AND STAY AT 50 MPH WITHOUT PRESSING THE PEDAL, WHICH CANNOT SLOWDOWN VEHICLE UNLESS MAKING A COMPLETE STOP. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART DUE TO COIL WIRE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #872831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mims, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER & COOLANT WAS CONTAMINATED & FLUSHED. CONSUMER FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T FULLY STAND BY.
NHTSA complaint #871211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK THE FUEL PUMP INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART.
NHTSA complaint #870992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hearing, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FUAL TANK PUMP GAUGE/EXHAUST LINE SEPARATED FROM MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #855580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herrin, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
FUEL TANK SENOR MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE NEEDLE REGISTERED A HALF TANK FULL. ALSO, A PROBLEM WITH A EXHAUST LEAKS AT MANIFOLD. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #855644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HORN CONTACT AND/ OR CANCELLING CAM WAS REPLACED TWICE. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL CERTAIN PLACES HAVE A DEAD SPOT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER'S SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE, IT ROCKS. WHEN PULLING SEAT BELT ACROSS CONSUMER, AND LEANING FORWARD TO ADJUST THE RADIO, SEAT BELT LOCKS UP. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD VEHICLE JUST DIES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BATTERY. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #848343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #608537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Albany, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER DURING WHILE GETTING THE PAINT REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO ACID RAIN. I BELIEVE I WAS JUST BLOWN OFF BY THE SERVICE PERSON. HE SADI ITS NORMAL FOR THESE TRUCKS TO DO THIS. AFTER REVIEWING THE MANY CASES IN THE DATABASE HERE IT DOES NOT SOUND "NORMAL" IN MANY CASES I CAN LEAVE MY FOOT OFF THE PEDDLE IN TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK WILL KEEP GOING. WHEN I PULL UP TO PARK THE ENGINE WILL IDLE AT ABOUT 2000 RPMS FOR 10 SECONDS THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. AT TIMES I MUST ALSO BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WHEN THE IDLE HANGS. ITS REALLY NOT A BIG PROBLEM TO ME BECAUSE I USED TO IT, BUT I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DO NOT WANT TO RETURN MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WILL TELL ME NEXT. DON'T BLAME THE DEALER BLAME CHEVY CAUSE JOHN JONES WAS GREAT TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #706646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brick, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING FAN FLEW OUT ONTO THE RADIATOR WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #837752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Matthew, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS, AND GAS GAUGE ISN'T WORKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #836774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crandall, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES CAME OFF. ALSO, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAKAGE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #829545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SC0TTSDALE, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING USED AND THE TEMPERATURE IS 90 DEGREES OR ABOVE, A LOUD ROARING SOUND COMES FROM THE ENGINE AND THE TRUCK LOSES POWER. IT ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS FALLING OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAS TO FLOOR THE TRUCK IN ORDER TO GET IT TO MOVE. DEALER GAVE CONSUMER A LETTER FROM GM, STATING THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THE S10 PICKUP.
NHTSA complaint #824694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.