1996 Chevrolet S10: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
293 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 293 complaints (15.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 20.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.7% |
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 | 46 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 42 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 26 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 46; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 42; Air Bags:Frontal: 26; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 260 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 | 1 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 2000 | 100 |
| 2001 | 56 |
| 2002 | 39 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 36; 2000: 100; 2001: 56; 2002: 39; 2003: 28; 2004: 16; 2005: 7; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000244 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN VERY INCONSISTANT. SOMETIMES THEY TURN ON WHEN I WANT THEM TO, AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT TURN ON. EVEN WHEN THEY DO TURN ON THEY TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF USE. THIS HAS BECOME A GREAT HASSLE FOR ME, BECAUSE WHEN THEY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN IT IS RAINING MY VISIBILITY IS VERY RESTRICTED. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, AND I COULD HARDLY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001572 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
RIGHT REAR HEAD GASKET (PASSENGER SIDE) LEAKING COOLANT ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. STARTED LEAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002548 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006753 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS FIX TWICE FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKET. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018100 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018102 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE FAN ATTACHED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018107 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD CLICK IN BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON IT WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL AND JERK ON THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO GET IT UNFASTENED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018108 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD CLICK IN BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON IT WOULD NOT UNLATCH. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL AND JERK ON THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO GET IT UNFASTENED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018108 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V035000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1996-02-22 (February 22, 1996)
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V008001 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 1997-01-27 (January 27, 1997)
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V096001 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1997-06-12 (June 12, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V146001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1997-09-11 (September 11, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V150001 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-07-01 (July 1, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 1999-07-19 (July 19, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗