MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chevrolet S10

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Chevrolet S10
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
665
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

36% 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 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1996 665 1997: 469 complaints 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 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1991 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1996 665 1997: 469 complaints 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 1990: 29 complaints 1991: 174 complaints 1991 1992: 180 complaints 1993: 233 complaints 1993 1994: 963 complaints 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1996 665 1997: 469 complaints 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

1996: 665 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.

Service brakes

36% · 242 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was involved in a traffic collision in which my brakes failed to stop my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-13

Visibility

15% · 101 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Air bags

11% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-11

Also filed under Steering

The lady turned in front of me and I tboned her.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-30

While driving 55 MPH the consumers vehicle was involved in a front end collision and none of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-03

Power train

11% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1994-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-28 ABS braking system
  2. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 665 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1996-02-16Power train96V035000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1997-01-30Visibility97V008001 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…

    Remedy: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1997-02-28Engineering analysisClosed 1997-08-05 Seat belt webbing separation
  6. R
    1997-09-22Seat belts97V096001 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.…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    1997-10-20Service brakes, hydraulic97V146001 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1998-12-15Visibility98V150001 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    1999-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-06-30 Separation of spare tire from vehicle
  10. I
    1999-06-30Engineering analysisClosed 2000-10-20 Spare tire separation from vehicle
  11. R
    1999-12-10Service brakes, hydraulic99I006000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2000-05-31Service brakes, hydraulic99V193000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 242 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 101 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 76 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V035000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V008001 · Visibility
  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 97V146001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 99I006000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 99V193000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.