1998 Chevrolet S10

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 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, 1998 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 1995: 910 complaints 1996: 665 complaints 1997: 469 complaints 1997 1998: 613 complaints 1998 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
1998: 613 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

VISIBILITY 14%

14% of complaints: visibility — 85 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 70 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980713

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980306

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120313

THE VEHICLE HIT A FENCE POST AFTER LEAVING THE ROADWAY, AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER ALSO BROKE TWO RIBS AND PUNCTURED LEFT LUNG, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEPLOYMENT. *SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20020828

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 45 TO 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WAS INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980212

SEATS 4%

4% of complaints: seats — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19971114 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.

Campaign 97V208001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971215 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

Campaign 97V218000 — check if this car was fixed

1998 — complaint volume: 613
R 19980831 — visibility

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

I 19990611 — EA (closed 20010810)

POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY

R 20000728 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20000913 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.

Campaign 00V220000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001116 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS CONTAINING A NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERY PACK. THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN SOFTWARE WITHIN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE INTENDED TO D

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.

Campaign 00V374000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20041122 — RQ (closed 20050414)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAK

I 20050414 — EA (closed 20060519)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — 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 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — 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

1998 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (85 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (70 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V208001 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V218000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V177000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V159000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V220000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V374000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 1989 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1995 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet S10 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet S10?

The most-reported component is visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have?

11 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.