1997 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
312 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 109 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 56 of 312 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 56 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 36 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 22 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 21 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 10 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 56; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 36; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 22; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 21; Air Bags:Frontal: 16; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 10; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 8
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 203 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 84 |
| 2001 | 44 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 84; 2001: 44; 2002: 42; 2003: 31; 2004: 42; 2005: 19; 2006: 13; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 7; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 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 10001927 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE BUILT-IN WEAR INDICATORS NEVER MADE A HIGH-PITCHED WARNING SOUND TO INDICATE BRAKE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ROTORS, DISC, WHEEL CYLINDER AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005944 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
ABS LOCKED UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008824 · 2002-04-20 (April 20, 2002)
BOUGHT TRUCK IN OCTOBER AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. I SPOKE WITH A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE GM TRANSMISSIONS, HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE VALVE BODY WHICH HE SAID IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY IN MY OPINION GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TS *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****760962
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053672 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID, AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056034 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 49,773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059669 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065032 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, ENGINE STALLED, AND THERE WERE NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. IT WAS AN A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062588 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)
FUEL GAUGE GOES TO FULL WHEN DRIVING REGARDLESS OF FUEL LEVEL. ORIGINAL OWNER RAN OUT OF FUEL ONCE BEFORE THEY KNEW THE GAUGE WASN'T CORRECT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FATALITY. IT ALSO MAY HAVE SHORTENED THE LIFE OF THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282086 · 2009-08-28 (August 28, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP TRUCK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE EXISTING RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED. THE CONTACT IS ALSO CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE FUEL PU…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065273 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS WHEN HIS HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065273 at NHTSA ↗