1989 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 32 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Tires:Sidewall: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 9; 1996: 8; 2000: 7; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038522 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
STEERING WHEEL TURNED 180 WITHOUT WARNING AND LOCKED UP. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN TURNED 180 DEGREES WITHOUT WARNING AND LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE DEALER REINSTALLED THEM WITH THREAD LOCKERS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 209,410 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854902 · 2000-01-12 (January 12, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 TO 50 MPH STEERING COLUMN BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THEIR IS A OLD RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480713 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
GAS TANK LEAKING ABOVE MID-POINT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 763900 · 2002-07-07 (July 7, 2002)
WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I ASKED A SALESMAN WHY THERE WAS RUST SHOWING ON THE UNDERNEATH OF THE NEW VEHICLE I WAS PURCHASING. HE COMMENTED THAT ALL THE NEW VEHICLES HAD THAT. I WALKED THE LINE AND FOUND THAT ALL THE IN CHEAPER VEHICLES HAD RUST BUT THE MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLES DIN'T. THAT MADE ME WONDER IF CHEVROLET WAS MANUFACTURING SUBSTANDARD VEHICLES. MY EXPERIENCE SINCE HAS REINFORCED THAST IMPRESSION. BOTH NEW VEHICLE I BOUGHT HAD EXTENSIVE PAINT PROBLEMS. THE MAJOR FRAME COMPONENETS BEGAN TO RUST VIGOROUSLY. I APPPLIED RUST INHIB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979011 · 1996-02-12 (February 12, 1996)
PARKED ON SLIGHT DRIVEWAY, 5 SPD-TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT WILL NOT STAY IN REVERSE ONCE ENGAGED. TRUCK HAD TO BE PULLED OUT FROM REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979011 at NHTSA ↗