1990 Chevrolet S10
Only 29 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 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1990
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1990: 29 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 22 |
| 1987 | 27 |
| 1988 | 38 |
| 1989 | 49 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1991 | 174 |
| 1992 | 180 |
| 1993 | 233 |
| 1994 | 963 |
| 1995 | 910 |
| 1996 | 665 |
| 1997 | 469 |
| 1998 | 613 |
| 1999 | 231 |
| 2000 | 471 |
| 2001 | 308 |
| 2002 | 214 |
| 2003 | 178 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Only 29 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Service brakes
10 of 29 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Fuel system, gasoline
4 of 29 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly and auxillary tank.
Engine and engine cooling
4 of 29 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
Structure
3 of 29 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing body and hood.
Show complaint excerpts
A Jeep with a bike mounted on a bike rack stopped quickly in front of me. I hit my brakes, but quickly lost braking effectiveness and the brake pedal went to the floor.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-16
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Seat belts
2 of 29 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving at 35 MPH the defective ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing the braking system to be inoperative, resultin in rollover.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-12-18
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1991-03-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-12 Headlight switch failure
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I
1992-01-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-05-22 High idle flare
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I
1992-05-22Engineering analysisClosed 1993-05-28 High idle flare
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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.
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I
1994-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-07-31 Engine compartment fires
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
1990 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 10 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 4 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
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet S10?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1990 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.