MYRModel Year Report

1989 Chevrolet S10

▲ Better than typical
1989 Chevrolet S10
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:36.943Z

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
49
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 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 49 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 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 27 complaints 1987 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 49 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 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 27 complaints 1987 1988: 38 complaints 1989: 49 complaints 1989 49 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

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% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The drivers seatbelt did not restrain the occupant in a vehicle crash. Please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-18

Possible door latch/handle and seat belt failures.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-11

Also filed under Structure

Electrical system

14% · 7 reports

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, 1995-11-28

Tires

12% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-01

Structure

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing door and frame and members.

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and delivery.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1990-04-13Defect petitionClosed 1990-07-24 Lift gate falls off
  2. I
    1991-03-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-12 Headlight switch failure
  3. I
    1992-01-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-05-22 High idle flare
  4. I
    1992-05-22Engineering analysisClosed 1993-05-28 High idle flare
  5. R
    1993-01-15Engine and engine cooling93V008000 The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.

    Remedy: Install a newly designed fan assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1994-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-07-31 Engine compartment fires
  7. R
    1996-10-08Steering96V195000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will retorque the upper and lower bolts to correct specifications.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V008000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 96V195000 · Steering
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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