1985 Chevrolet S10

○ Not enough data
1985 Chevrolet S10
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:01.025Z

Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
11

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1985

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 11 complaints 1985 11 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 27 complaints 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1997: 469 complaints 1997 1998: 613 complaints 1999: 231 complaints 2000: 471 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 214 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 21 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2007: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2017 2018: 3 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 11 complaints 1985 11 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 27 complaints 1987 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1991 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1995 1996: 665 complaints 1997: 469 complaints 1997 1998: 613 complaints 1999: 231 complaints 1999 2000: 471 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 214 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2003 2004: 21 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2017 2018: 3 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 11 complaints 1985 11 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 27 complaints 1987 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1991 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1995 1996: 665 complaints 1997: 469 complaints 1997 1998: 613 complaints 1999: 231 complaints 1999 2000: 471 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 214 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2003 2004: 21 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2017 2018: 3 complaints

1985: 11 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19822
19837
19848
198511
198622
198727
198838
198949
199029
1991174
1992180
1993233
1994963
1995910
1996665
1997469
1998613
1999231
2000471
2001308
2002214
2003178
200421
20050
20061
20070
20161
20171
20183

Known problem areas

Only 11 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Power train

5 of 11 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Drive shaft broke, causing right rear wheel to fall off, causing accident. (Ohio state police report)

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-08-15

Engine and engine cooling

4 of 11 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-05

Seat belts

2 of 11 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Had an accident, drivers side seat belt did not restain. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-30

Wheels

1 of 11 total reports mentions: wheels.

Tires

1 of 11 total reports mentions: tires.

Show complaint excerpts

While operating the vehicle on city streets at posted speed limit of 35 MPH, the tire separated where the belt meets the sidewall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-06

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1988-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-11-07 Rear axle failure
  2. I
    1988-11-07Engineering analysisClosed 1990-08-24 Rear axle shaft
  3. I
    1990-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-29 Spare tire carrier failure
  4. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

  6. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

Buy-smart checklist

1985 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1985 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Chevrolet S10?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1985 Chevrolet S10 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.