MYRModel Year Report

1989 Chevrolet S10

▲ Better than typical
1989 Chevrolet S10
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:39:16.957Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet S10 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 11 complaints 1985 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 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2017: 1 complaints 2017 2018: 3 complaints 2018
1989: 49 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 20%

20% of complaints: seat belts — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960118

POSSIBLE DOOR LATCH/HANDLE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030311

Also filed under STRUCTURE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR FREEZING UP, TOTALLED. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951128

TIRES 12%

12% of complaints: tires — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH REAR PASSENGER FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE BLOW OUT. *AK *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030701

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and frame and members.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and delivery.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19900413 — DP (closed 19900724)

LIFT GATE FALLS OFF

I 19910306 — PE (closed 19910712)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

I 19920107 — PE (closed 19920522)

HIGH IDLE FLARE

I 19920522 — EA (closed 19930528)

HIGH IDLE FLARE

R 19930115 — engine and engine cooling

THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 93V008000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940729 — EA (closed 19960731)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 19961008 — steering

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

Campaign 96V195000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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 WITH

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 93V008000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V195000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1991 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1995 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Chevrolet S10 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Chevrolet S10?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Chevrolet S10 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.