1996 Chevrolet S10
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 213 |
| 2003 | 178 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
36% of complaints: service brakes — 242 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION IN WHICH MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180313
15% of complaints: visibility — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.
11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 76 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH FIRE11% of complaints: air bags — 74 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE ACCIDENT WAS ALMOST HEAD ON MAINLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS HARD THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF IN THE OTHER CAR BUT NEITHER ONE OF OURS WENT OFF. FOR ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE TRUCK WOULD STALL AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140911
Also filed under STEERING
THE LADY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I TBONED HER. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130330
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20031003
11% of complaints: power train — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 96V035000 — check if this car was fixed
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPEN
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
Campaign 97V008001 — check if this car was fixed
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE PO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL
Campaign 97V146001 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
Campaign 98V150001 — check if this car was fixed
SEPARATION OF SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLE
SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
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
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
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND D
Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
1996 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (242 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (101 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (76 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V035000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V008001 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) 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
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FAQ
Is the 1996 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet S10 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet S10?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet S10 have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.