FaultScore

1999 Chevrolet S10 brake problems

37 of the 298 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet S10 are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,138 miles.

D

37

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 23 62.2%
Disc 3 8.1%
Rotor 3 8.1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 8.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 5.4%
Foundation Components 1 2.7%
Pads 1 2.7%
Service Brakes 1 2.7%

Brakes across every Chevrolet S10 year

1990 10 0.5%
1991 86 4.1%
1992 142 6.8%
1993 152 7.3%
1994 596 28.4%
1995 365 17.4%
1996 252 12.0%
1997 117 5.6%
1998 86 4.1%
1999 37 1.8%
2000 116 5.5%
2001 72 3.4%
2002 23 1.1%
2003 41 2.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 135,000 miles Middle River, MD Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS MOVING MY TRUCK AROUND IN MY DRIVE WAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND I HIT THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE IS THIS POORLY MADE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10461276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,945 miles Westfield, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

A BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID THE LINE WAS CORRODED AND SPLICED IN A COMPRESSION FITTING AT A COST OF $222.50. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER FAILURES OF BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE SECOND FAILURE, I REPLACED ABOUT 10 FT OF BRAKE LINE MYSELF. THE 3RD BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS FIXING A BROKEN UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT HAD FAILED DUE TO (WOW) CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #10440282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,276 miles Spruce Pine, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 4WD CR2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE BRAKES EMITTED A LOUD NOISE WHEN THEY WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FRONT SPEED SENSOR LOW SIGNAL WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,276 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,326.

NHTSA complaint #10421555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Kalamazoo, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS ON A SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD, CAUSED ACCIDENT. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP BUT THE ABS KEPT KICKING IN FOR NO REASON MAKING ME SLIDE RIGHT INTO THE GUY. TRUCK IS STILL DAMAGED, 2200$ WORTH OF REPAIRS NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10382982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Mcmurray, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE BRAKE LINES SNAPPED CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED HE HAD EXPERIENCED BRAKE LEAKAGE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE RUST ISSUE WAS NOT BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 06/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/18/10.

NHTSA complaint #10327711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Waterford, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING. THEY ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10158429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ALMOST EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES IT FEELS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS ACTIVATING. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT FIVE TIMES A WEEK. IT HAPPENS, MOST NOTABLY, WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS DRY. I STEP ON THE BRAKES AND FEEL THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ABS KICK IN, AFTER THE ABS PULSING STOPS THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS ONLY THE LEFT SIDE AND NOT THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT BRAKE THAT DOES THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS I DON'T KNOW HOW THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND IN AN ACTUAL ICE/SNOW CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10151480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Youngstown, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I HAVE A 1999 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP, EXTENDED CAB, 4WD, ZR2. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MI. IT WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME PREMATURE ABS LOCK UP AT LOW SPEEDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE UNPREDICTABLE STOPPING DISTANCES, AS THE GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GM DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. HOWEVER, CURRENTLY GM LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I FEEL THAT THIS MAY BE OF CONCERN AS I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A LIGHT DUTY TRUCK THAT HAS EXHIBITED THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS VEHICLE BEHAVIOR. I HOPE THAT THE RECALL IS REVISED TO INCLUDE ALL GM TRUCKS INCLUDING LIGHT DUTY ONES SUCH AS MINE. I HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AT GAS STATIONS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS BECAUSE OF THIS. YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY NEEDED AND APPRECIATED. BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED YET I PLACED THE NUMBER "1" IN THE "NUMBER OF FAILURES COLUMN" OF THIS FORM.

NHTSA complaint #10137552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Dawsonville, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10095509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Kokomo, IN Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

1999 CHEVROLET S-10 TRUCK WITH 4CYLINDER ENGINE, BRAKES FAIL IN PANIC STOP SITUATION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING INITIAL ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP. RESULT IS LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING POSSIBLE INCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10053065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Howell, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE LINE TO REAR SYSTEM HAS A HOLE WORN INTO IT FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME NEAR THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL WELL. THIS IS ON A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. HIGHWAY DRIVEN, NOT ABUSED.

NHTSA complaint #10016704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Kingsport, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN TRAVELING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK FEELS AS IF IT HAS NO BRAKES. I AM NOT TALKING HUGE POTHOLES OR EXTREME DROPOFFS, BUT BUMPS AS LOW AS APPROXIMATELY. 2 TO 3 INCHES. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MOST OFTEN NEAR MY HOME TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, USING THE BRAKES TO SLOW TO AROUND 28 MPH WHEN I HIT THE 2 TO 3 INCH BUMP. AT THIS POINT THE TRUCK STARTS COASTING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF, APPROXIMATELY. 10 FEET PAST CLEARING THE BUMP THE BRAKING IS RESTORED. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS NORMAL FOR ABS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Titusville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR STATE INSPECTION BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND BADLY RUSTED. OWNER HAD TWO FRONT TWO ROTORS REPLACED. ALSO OWNER INDICATED THAT HE HAD A 1994 CHEVROLET TRUCK, S10 THAT HAD THE SAME FAILURE. *AK JLG

NHTSA complaint #8019047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE, AND CAUSES SEVERE EXTENTED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIEDON BUMPY OR SLICK ROADS, THE ABS DISENGAGES THE VEHICLES BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE RELEASED AND RE-APPLIED TO RE-ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS WRECKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKES ON A ON SMOOTH ROAD, ON BUMPY ROADS AT 15 MPH THE VEHICLE TAKES 25 FEET TO STOP. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #8011974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bedford, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AT STATE SPEED LIMIT APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX VEHICLE BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #8011232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hastings, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

REAR DISC BRAKE ROTORS ACCUMULATE RUST OR MATERIAL, CAUSING BAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURITELY AND BREAK OFF SAFETY WEAR SOUNDING TAB.

NHTSA complaint #762506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joliet, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. HAD MECHANIC INSPECT BRAKES, AND FOUND THAT ROTORS WERE RUSTED IN MIDDLE AND WARPED.

NHTSA complaint #893338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brunswick, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #741579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rush Springs, OK Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AT 50MPH ON A WET ROAD THE BRAKES INSTEAD OF PULSING AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO, THE PEDAL GOT HARD AND I HAD NO BRAKE OF ANY KIND. CAUSING US TO CRASH THRU A FENCE AND INTO SOME TREES.

NHTSA complaint #741117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sylacauga, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES STUTTER AND GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED ON A ROUGH SURFACE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #557943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rush Springs, OK Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES DID NOT HOLD IN ANY FASHION. THEY DID NOT EVEN PULSE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. THE PEDAL WAS HARD, BUT THERE WAS NO MARKS EVEN IN THE DIRT SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #738471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Metamora, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A TERRIBLE SHAKE IN STEERING WHEEL UPON BRAKING, DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS DUE TO RUST ON THE ROTORS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #734599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morrisville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AC DELCO BATTERY CAME ORIGINAL WITH THE VEHICLE, LEAKED ACID ONTO BRAKE LINE WHICH CAUSE NO BRAKING ABILITY, ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #870576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stoughton, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO & THEN GO BACK TO 50. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON/TRANSMISSION STUCK IN ONE GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD PROBLEMS REPAIRED. ALL PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT AND NOT READILY DUPLICATED. SINCE REPAIRS, THE PROBLEMS HAVE RETURNED.

NHTSA complaint #863892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stoughton, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO & THEN GO BACK TO 50. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON/TRANSMISSION STUCK IN ONE GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD PROBLEMS REPAIRED. ALL PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT AND NOT READILY DUPLICATED. SINCE REPAIRS, THE PROBLEMS HAVE RETURNED.

NHTSA complaint #863892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burleson, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABS LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY.ALSO, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IN THE COMPUTER AREA. CONTACTED DEALER, HE COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #860117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Danvers, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #858062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freedom, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP. ABS SYSTEM REACTS TOO QUICKLY. SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR. WOULD HAPPEN ON SLIPPERY ROADS. IT WOULD BE WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS IN 4-WD AND NOT IN 2-WD. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED.

NHTSA complaint #857068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Narragansett, RI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM. AT 3,500 MILES BOTH, CALIPERS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 6,000 MILES, FOUND BOTH FRONT PADS HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CURRENTLY, AT 10,200 MILES BOTH ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED. AT 6000 MILES THE HOSES IN THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #855975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Chevrolet S10 problems

← Full 1999 Chevrolet S10 report