1997 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 | 37 |
| 1989 | 48 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1991 | 174 |
| 1992 | 180 |
| 1993 | 233 |
| 1994 | 963 |
| 1995 | 910 |
| 1996 | 665 |
| 1997 | 469 |
| 1998 | 613 |
| 1999 | 231 |
| 2000 | 471 |
| 2001 | 307 |
| 2002 | 213 |
| 2003 | 178 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 63 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
OWNER TRIED TO COME TO A QUICK STOP AND THE TRUCK HAS ABS, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. HE WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970618
13% of complaints: visibility — 62 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: visibility — 38 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.*JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030213
7% of complaints: air bags — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030210
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970319
DRIVER HIT PARKED CAR AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970221
6% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
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 EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. RAPID FOGGING OF THE INTERIOR GLASS CAN OCCUR WITHIN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IF (1) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATUR
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISING THEM TO FOLLOW A "STOP AND WAIT" PROCEDURE TO HELP AVOID WINDOW FOGGING WHILE DRIVING.
Campaign 98V177000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY WITH A REDESIGNED CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 00V069200 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.
Campaign 00V159000 — 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
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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
1997 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (63 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (62 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V177000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V069200 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V159000 (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
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet S10 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet S10?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 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.