FaultScore

1998 Chevrolet S10 body problems

43 of the 742 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet S10 are about the body and structure — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.

A

43

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Hinge AND Attachments 16 37.2%
Door 9 20.9%
Frame AND Members 3 7.0%
Bumpers 3 7.0%
Tailgate 3 7.0%
Structure 3 7.0%
Hinge AND Attachments 2 4.7%
Body 2 4.7%
Support Device/Strut 1 2.3%
Hatchback/Liftgate 1 2.3%

Body & Structure across every Chevrolet S10 year

1991 18 4.1%
1994 22 5.0%
1995 17 3.9%
1996 17 3.9%
1997 20 4.5%
1998 43 9.8%
1999 31 7.0%
2000 93 21.1%
2001 75 17.0%
2002 73 16.6%
2003 32 7.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 92,000 miles Louisville, KY

STRUCTURE

WATER LEAK IN COWL AREA ALLOWED RAIN WATER TO COLLECT UNDETECTED UNDER CARPET MOISTURE BARRIER CAUSING ACCESSORY HANDICAPPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRODE. CORROSION OF THE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT EVENTUALLY CAUSED PEDAL TO FREEZE IN A PART THROTTLE POSITION IN TRAFFIC. EVASIVE MANEUVER REQUIRED TO AVOID COLLISION WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10649891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles BIG Bend, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME, BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CORROSION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #10522134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Bloomington, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 EXTENDED CAB. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE HANDLE BROKE AT LEAST FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 03/16/11

NHTSA complaint #10365443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Windham, NH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINFRAME WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HIS MECHANIC ALREADY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN UPDATED 03/12/09.

NHTSA complaint #10257721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Milford, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

OPENING OF TAILGATE ON 1998 CHEVY S10 AND WHEN SITTING DOWN ON TAILGATE A SNAP SOUND OCCURRED AND THE TAILGATE DROPPED SLIGHTLY INDICATING THE SUPPORT CABLE SNAPPED ON PASSENGER SIDE. PART IS ON ORDER.

NHTSA complaint #10226665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Grass Valley, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. THE CABLES BROKE AND THE WOOD I WAS LOADING SLID OFF AND HIT MY FOOT IT DID HURT IT, BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BAD. IT ALSO DAMAGE MY TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. I HAVE SEE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE TAILGATE CABLES BREAKING. I HAVE SEEN IT ON 1995, 1998 AND 2000 S-10 TRUCKS. I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO MAKE REPLACEMENT CABLES THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF YOU WERE LOADING SOMETHING IT COULD SLID OFF THE TAILGATE AND HURT THEMSELVES LIKE I DID. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10168474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,750 miles Anchor Point, AK

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

BOTH CABLES ON MY 1998 CHEVY S-10 PICK-UP HAVE SNAPPED. MY DOG WAS USING A RAMP THAT RESTED ON THE TAILGATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT CAUSED THE RAMP TO FALL A FEW INCHES LUCKILY THE DOG WAS UNINJURED HOWEVER HE IS VERY FRIGHTENED TO USE THE RAMP NOW. HE WEIGHS OVER 150S SO I CAN'T LIFT HIM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET NEW CABLE WHEN I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL ON OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. I HAVE PUT OFF REPAIRING THIS IN ANTICIPATION OF A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10165379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 216,000 miles Georgetown, KY

STRUCTURE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE SPARE TIRE, THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE FRACTURED AND RELEASED THE TIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL RECENTLY. THE CONTACT FOUND A SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT OTHER S10 TRUCKS. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10155471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longview, WA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE UPPER HINGE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR IS SO WORN AWAY THAT IT HAS CAUSED A DOOR SEAL LEAK AND RAIN GETS IN. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT YET.

NHTSA complaint #10153691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Grass Valley, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10 AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. IT BROKE WHEN I OPENED THE TAILGATE AND SAT DOWN ON IT. I DID NOT GET HURT BUT I THINK A CABLE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HOLD SOME WEIGHT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE CABLES RETAIN MOISTURE WHICH CAUSES THEM TO RUST OUT AND MINE WAS RUSTED. I LEFT THE CABLE ON AND IT DAMAGED THE TAILGATE BY PUTTING A DENT IN IT AND CRACKING THE PAINT. I CUT THE CABLE SO IT WOULD NOT DAMAGE THE TAILGATE ANY MORE. MY BROTHER TOLD ME I COULD USE HIS CABLE FROM HIS TAILGATE AND I AM. I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HEARD THEY MIGHT RECALL THIS SO I DECIDED TO PUT MY INPUT BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. I ALSO BOUGHT REPLACEMENT CABLES, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT THEM ON BECAUSE GM USES A BIG RIVET. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE'S CABLES ON THEIR 95-2003 S-10'S. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10153408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Nepean, 00

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10, THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BROKE DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION. THIS HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I REPLACED THAT CABLE AT SIGNIFICANT COST. NOW THE SECOND TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE IS BULGING DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION AND I EXPECT IT WILL SOON BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #10152434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Bloomington, MN

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CABLES THAT HOLD UP THE TAILGATE BROKE ON ME WHILE I WAS LOADING CARGO INTO THE BED. THE BROKEN STRAPS HAS SINCE CAUSED MY TAILGATE TO FALL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN A ROUGH ROAD. THE TAILGATE IS NOW SCRATCHED AND DENTED FROM THE INITIAL BREAKING AND FROM FALLING OFF. I HAVE NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS OF YET.

NHTSA complaint #10148093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE FOR THE TAILGATE HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE OPENING FAILED TO OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANTED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ALSO, HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SUGGESTED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10143838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE FOR THE TAILGATE HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE OPENING FAILED TO OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANTED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ALSO, HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SUGGESTED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10143838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles ST. Louis, MO

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE EXTENDED CUB 3RD DOOR HANDLES CONTINUES TO BREAK EVERY 6 MONTHS. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I PURCHASED THE 1998 S10 IN MARCH, 04, IN JULY THE HANDLE BROKE. THIS SAME NEW HANDLE BROKE WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER, 04. FINALLY, THE 2 NEW HANDLE BROKE IN AUGUST, 05. THE BREAK IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME AREA. THE DEALER HAS COMMENTED THAT HE HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HIM FOR THIS PART, BUT TO CHEV HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO RECALL OR ASSIST IN ANY WAY. CAN I HAVE YOUR REVIEW AND ASSISTANCE?

NHTSA complaint #10132186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Monroe, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED WITH VERY LIGHT WEIGHT ON IT. AT THE TIME THE CABLE SNAPPED THERE WAS A CHILD ON THE TAILGATE. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THE LEFT SIDE CARRIED THE WEIGHT. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE TAILGATE AT THIS POINT. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLES AND MAYBE THE WHOLE TAILGATE ITSELF. THE CABLES WERE FINE. THERE WERE NOT ANY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CABLES. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE OWNER ALSO CALLED GM, AND THEY CONTACTED THE MANAGER, WHO RELAYED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THEY WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10130283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

1998, S10 PICKUP TAILGATE STRAPS RUSTED IN 2 PIECES. THESE WERE RECALLED ON MY 2002 1500 FULL SIZE. WHY NOT THE S10 ?

NHTSA complaint #10118444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,200 miles Lincoln Park, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

EA 05 008/TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BREAK: WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE AND LOADING A SINK ONTO THE REAR BED THE LEFT SIDE SUPPORT CABLE HAS BROKEN. NO INJURY TO REPORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10119026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Sheboygan, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE THE CABLE BROKE ON BOTH SIDE BECAUSE THEY HAD RUSTED. *AK......

NHTSA complaint #10103764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,500 miles Danville, WV

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

(1) LOADING SMALL RIDING LAWNMOWER INTO BED OF MY S-10 PICKUP (2) BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WITH NO PRIOR SIGN OF WEAR (3) AWAITING REPLACEMENT CABLES AT EXPENSE OF CHEVROLET, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON CURRENT MODELS AND HAVE RECALLED THEM, BUT NOT MINE!.

NHTSA complaint #10102981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Sheboygan, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

WHEN THE TAILGATE WAS IN USE BOTH OF THE TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE TAILGATE TO FALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10103632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Swanton, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES DUE TO CORROSION/RUST. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10097203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Illinois City, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE CORRODED AND SNAPPED. THERE WAS A RECALL DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INCLUDE S10 MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10079556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Mentor, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10071650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sterling HTS, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

STEEL CABLES ON TAILGATE SNAPPED WHILE IN STORED (NO LOAD APPLIED) CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10063671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rogersville, MO Crash

STRUCTURE

VEHICLE HAVING SERIES OF PROBLEMS AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH A DEER. *MR THE HOOD LATCH HASN'T WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE ACCIDENT, BOTH CHAIR LATCHES HAD BROKEN AFTER TWO TIMES OF USE, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE, THERE WAS NOISE IN THE STEERING, THE CENTRAL CONSOLE SNAPPED IN HALF, AND THE REAR WIPERS HAD GONE OUT. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10048207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Indianapolis, IN

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE DRIVERS DOOR DID NOT STAY LATCH, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SPRINGS POPPED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10009211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eustis, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CHEAP HANDLES,BREAK WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST, PUTS PERSON IN UNSAFE POSITIONS WERE IT LOCKS WHEN IT BREAKS.

NHTSA complaint #753959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alum Creek, WV

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT FRAME WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER CALLED GMC, AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. DEALER STATED VEHICLE WAS ABUSED AND AGGRESSIVELY TREATED.

NHTSA complaint #897745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TAILGATE INTERMITTENTLY COMES OPEN WHENEVER A LOAD IS CARRIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING.

NHTSA complaint #863175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems

← Full 1998 Chevrolet S10 report