1994 Chevrolet S10

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 Chevrolet S10
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 1994 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: 37 complaints 1989: 48 complaints 1989 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1994 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1997: 469 complaints 1997 1998: 613 complaints 1999: 231 complaints 2000: 471 complaints 2001: 307 complaints 2001 2002: 213 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
1994: 963 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19822
19837
19848
198511
198622
198727
198837
198948
199029
1991174
1992180
1993233
1994963
1995910
1996665
1997469
1998613
1999231
2000471
2001307
2002213
2003178
200421
20050
20061
20070
20161
20171
20183

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 45%

45% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 436 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLES ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING.(EA94-038). TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950123

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 104 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

MY 1994 CHEVROLET S-10 WIND SHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN THEY WANT AND GO OFF WHEN THEY WANT. THEY COULD CAUSE A SEVERE HAZARD WHILE DRIVING IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030526

VISIBILITY 10%

10% of complaints: visibility — 98 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020823

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950119

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 963
R 19940125 — fuel system, gasoline

THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND THE VENT TUBE DURING A TEST. THE LOSS OF FUEL WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE ON THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 94V014000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940617 — PE (closed 19941031)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

R 19941208 — service brakes, hydraulic

A VACUUM HOSE CAN DETACH FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE BACKFIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CLAMP ON THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSIST.

Campaign 94V228000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960719 — PE (closed 19961113)

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

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 19970922 — seat belts

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. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Campaign 97V096001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990115 — PE (closed 19990630)

SEPARATION OF SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLE

I 19990630 — EA (closed 20001020)

SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE

R 19991210 — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Campaign 99I006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000531 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 D

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Campaign 99V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (436 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (104 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (98 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 94V014000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V228000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V195000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1989 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1996 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Chevrolet S10 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Chevrolet S10?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet S10 have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.