FaultScore

1998 Chevrolet S10 transmission problems

44 of the 742 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet S10 are about the transmission — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 62,000 miles.

A

44

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 24 54.5%
Manual Transmission 5 11.4%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 4 9.1%
Power Train 2 4.5%
Cooling Unit AND Lines 2 4.5%
Clutch Assembly 2 4.5%
Column Shift 1 2.3%
Driveshaft 1 2.3%
Seal 1 2.3%
Differential Unit 1 2.3%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Chevrolet S10 year

1991 13 3.1%
1993 10 2.4%
1994 39 9.2%
1995 54 12.8%
1996 75 17.7%
1997 55 13.0%
1998 44 10.4%
1999 29 6.9%
2000 49 11.6%
2001 19 4.5%
2002 17 4.0%
2003 19 4.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 165,000 miles Chillicothe, OH

POWER TRAIN

I WAS PULLING INTO A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-THROUGH LANE AND THE SILICONE ISOLATION MOUNT WHERE THE TOP PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MEETS THE BOTTOM PART COMING UP FROM THE TRANSMISSION BROKE LOOSE. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT WITH THE TOP LEVER NOW. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT USING THE SHORT BOTTOM PIECE COMING UP FROM THE TRANSMISSION, BUT IT IS NOT EASY TO DO SO.

NHTSA complaint #10523459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUN City, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HI I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 USED PRIVATE PARTY AND NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MY BROTHER SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY MY BROTHER IT HAD BEEN REBUILT LITERALLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE PURCHASED AND WAS SHOWN PROOF WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT SHIFTED INTO 3RD BY ITSELF AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE 25 MILES DOING 50 TOOK IT TO GM AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A PRESSURE PROBLEM AND WAS "RECOMMENDED" A TRANNY REBUILD AND THEN THEY CALLED THE CAR A PIECE OF @#$%^ AND WASN'T WORTH IT I PERSONALLY LOVE THE TRUCK AND THEN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 2500 DOLLARS. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK ME OUT OF IT, ALSO WHEN HOT IT SOUNDS LITERALLY LIKE A TRACTOR ON EXCEL AND STEADY SPEED IF ANY ONE HAS ANY ANSWERS PLEASE EMAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10277255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crofton, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

MY TRANNY OIL LINES ARE RUBBING ON THE SWAY BAR ON MY 1998 S- 10 P.U.

NHTSA complaint #10216285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Jamestown, IN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY HARD INTO SECOND GEAR. NOW TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND AT ALL AND THERE IS NO REVERSE. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION IS VERY COMMON.

NHTSA complaint #10206456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Hilliard, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN YOU DRIVE THE TRUCK FOR APPROX 1 HOUR, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO HIGH GEAR AND WILL NOT COME OUT UNTIL IT COOL DOWN. IT THROWS A CEL LAMP. WHEN YOU STOP WITH THE TRANSMISSION WARM, IT SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND.

NHTSA complaint #10154481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Hewitt, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN AN 1998 CHEVY S10 PICK-UP TRUCK. SOME TIME LAST YEAR I STARTED TO GET A P1870 TROUBLE CODE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,300. AT THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10132718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,722 miles Garden Grove, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FRONT SEAL BLEW OUT AT SPEED ON FREE-WAY. DUMPING FLUID. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 59000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10078280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Winder, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1998 CHEVY S10 4 CYL. 74,000 MILES TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND HAS CODE 1870. SHOP SAYS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. RAN ACROSS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA complaint #10060411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

I BELIEVE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE DRIVESHAFT HAS CAUSED IT TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES OVER 125,000 MILES

NHTSA complaint #10056858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

State College, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH OUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BADLY.

NHTSA complaint #10055776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Attleboro, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE STARTS TO VIBRATE AS SPEED INCREASES.

NHTSA complaint #10050891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Camden Point, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE CONSUMER HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE SPARK WIRES CORRODED, THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN SHIFTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH ALSO THE RADIATOR ERUPTED BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND THE COOLER OF THE RADIATOR. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10050046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Camden Point, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND CONTAMINATED OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS MADE DRIVING AND GEAR CHANGING DIFFICULT. DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE ALL CONTAMINATED COMPONENTS. *AK THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATED SO THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED AT 550 MILES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT LUNGED FORWARD ALMOST KNOCKING HIM TO THE DRIVEWAY. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT THE RADIATOR MAY BE DEFECTIVE. *PH THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD SHORTED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10042113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,000 miles Valdosta, GA

POWER TRAIN

WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE RELAYS AND FUSES KEEP BLOWING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A AIR CONDITIONING PLACE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE. WITH THE ABS, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN SNOW, I USED THE BRAKES AND THE ANTI LOCKS CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CUT OFF COMPLETELY. HAD TO STOP AND RESTART VEHICLE. WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL NY GAUGES JUMPED THEN WENT TO NORMAL. WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT HAS CONSTANTLY SLAMMED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THIRD GEAR. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMED. IT WAS WORKED ON ONCE, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ON THE TRANSMISSION. UPON DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****734327

NHTSA complaint #10009862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Albuquerque, NM

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

THE SLAVE CYLINDER FAILS AND THE CLUTCH WILL NO LONGER DISENGAGE (BUT IT IS INTERMITENT AT FIRST). THIS CAN OCCUR WHILE IN GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF OR YANKED OUT OF GEAR TO STOP. THIS HAPPEND TO ME WHILE I WAS BACKING UP AND I WOUND UP GOING RIGHT OVER A CURB JUST MISSING THE CAR PARKED BEHIND ME.

NHTSA complaint #10003525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,374 miles Peachtree City, GA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

COSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE "SLAVE" CYLINDER IN THE BELL HOUSING WOULD NOT MOVE. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. TS MECHANIC REPLACED SLAVE CYLINDER AND BLEED THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #8023765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springville, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. HARD PARTS IN TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HARD SHIFT ONLY OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 1 HOUR WHEN TRANSMISSION IS HOT. DEALER REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, HOWEVER PROBLEM CAME BACK 2 DAYS LATER, DEALER THEN REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #8016007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valdosta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WITH THE AIR CONDITONER THE RELAYS AND FUSES KEEP BLOWING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A AIR CONDITONING PLACE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE. WITH THE ABS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN SNOW. I USED THE BRAKES THE ANTI LOCKS CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CUT OFF COMPLETELY. HAD TO STOP AND RESTART VEHICLE. WITH THE ELCTRICAL PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL MY GAUGES JUMPED THEN WENT TO NORMAL. WITH THE TRANNSMISSION IT HAS CONSTATLY SLAMMED INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THTE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. IT WAS WORKED ON ONCE. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ON THE TRANSMISSION. UPON DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #734327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blaine, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 1ST GEAR THERE IS A SUDDEN "BANG" IN TRANSMISSION WHICH INTERRUPTS ACCELERATION. TRUCK HAS BEEN IN FOR SAME REPAIRS 3 TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION AFTER MINIMUM MILEAGE ACCUMULATED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8011888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hunker, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED OF A PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8003573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenner, LA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

I HAVE BROUGHT MY TRUCK INTO SEWELL CADILAC TO HAVE IT CHECK "SEVERAL TIME" AND I KEEP GETTING THE SAME RUIN AROUND. I TOLD THEM THAT I HEAR A GRINDING NOISE LIKE "METAL TO METAL" AND I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED THAT IT WAS THE CLUTCH PLATE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY SAID THEY DON'T HEAR ANY NOISE, AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO GO INTO THE TRANSMISSION TO CHECK IT OUT. I HAVE HAD BOTH SEAT HANDLES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE JUST SHEARED OFF AT THE METAL, AND THEY ARE BOTH STARTING TO GET DIFFICULT TO USE AGAIN. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE MUCH LONGER BEFORE THEY BREAK AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #748001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, ME

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY S-10 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE 1999 AND BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH 1.050 PART NUMBER 15723124 TWICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE CLUTCH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE METAL ROD THAT THE PLASTIC HANDLE SCREWS INTO BREAKS. I DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THIS HANDLE...THE METAL THAT IS USED IN THE CONNECTING ROD LOOKS TO HAVE AIR BUBBLES IN IT AND IS CHEAPLY FORGED. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $129 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED THE LAST TIME(2ND TIME), THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL BE HAVING TO PAY ANOTHER $129 TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLUTCH REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A PIECE THAT IS AT COST WORTH $5.00.

NHTSA complaint #746100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ball Ground, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

RECLINING HANDLE ON SEAT ARE VERY HARD TO PULL UP, PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE BROKE OFF LEAVING SEAT STUCK IN ONE POSITION. PASSENGER SEAT SLIDES INTO DASH WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THROTTLE STICKS AT TROTTLE BODY AND TRANSMISION COOLER LINE LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #740597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hendersonville, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP BADLY WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #738266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kirkland, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

REVERSE DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE WHEN IT IS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #737418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valdosta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WITH THE AIR CONDITONER THE RELAYS AND FUSES KEEP BLOWING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A AIR CONDITONING PLACE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE. WITH THE ABS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN SNOW. I USED THE BRAKES THE ANTI LOCKS CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CUT OFF COMPLETELY. HAD TO STOP AND RESTART VEHICLE. WITH THE ELCTRICAL PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL MY GAUGES JUMPED THEN WENT TO NORMAL. WITH THE TRANNSMISSION IT HAS CONSTATLY SLAMMED INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THTE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. IT WAS WORKED ON ONCE. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ON THE TRANSMISSION. UPON DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #734327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grandview, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM FIRST CAME UP THE SUV WAS I THOUGHT OVER HEATING A BIT I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT AS THAT WAS NORNAL FOR THEM IN HOT WEATHER.THE SUV BROKE DOWN IN SPRINGFILD MO , WE MANGED TO PULL INTO A SHOP ,THEY SAID THE DAMAGE WAS TO GREAT TO REPAIR WITHOUT COSTING AT LEAST 2000.00, AND EVEN THEN THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT DAMGE WAS DONE TO THE SUV.THEY DID HOWEVER GIVE ME A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH LISTED MY PROBLEM. IT SEEMS GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR AT LEART 4 YEARS. YET WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS WITH THIS VERY (I LEARNED LATER) COMMON PROBLEM NOONE WANTED TO ADMIT THEY HAD EVEN HEARD OF IT. EVEN AFTER I READ THE NUMBER TO THEM THEY STILL ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND IN FACT DIDNOT KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.THEY DID AFTER SEVEAL PHONE CALLED AND AGREE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY ALSO ADMIT THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF DAMAGE IF ANY WAS DONE TO ENGINE TRANMISSION OR HEATING AND COOLING SYTEMS.

NHTSA complaint #731401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redlands, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION O-RING IS LEAKING. YH

NHTSA complaint #607349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pico River, CA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

CLUTCH FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #607672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems

← Full 1998 Chevrolet S10 report