Carlexica

1991 Chevrolet S10: problems, recalls and reliability

9 recalls and 174 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2008

9
recalls
174
owner complaints
10
fire reports
132,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest S10 years (#13 of 15 by complaints, age-adjusted)Problems tend to appear late (median 132,000 mi)Weak spot: service brakes, hydraulic (40%)10 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)40% · 67 complaints
Seat Belts10% · 17 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 14 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)7% · 12 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)5% · 8 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)5% · 8 complaints
Tl* - the contact stated that while driving her 1991 chevrolet s10 blazer with the cruise control engaged the vehicle decelerates. Then the accelerator pedal went to the floor while she still had her foot on the brake pedal. The contact stated that she doesn't use the cruise control any more, she's afraid that this may happen again. The contact hasn't taken the vehicle to dealership to have the vehicle diagnosed. *jbOwner report · Electrical System · Jul 2006
Body rust and paint chipping and peeling digital dashboard is dead except for speedometer and trip meter seatbelts do not lock up when you slam the brakes on front suspension is very squikyOwner report · Structure · Jun 2003
Made a panic stop and ABS didn't work, wheels locked up and almost had a accident. (this happened more then once) also the driver side seat broke off from the floor of the truck. *nlmOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
While applying the brakes there is a loud streaking noise coming from the wheel. The dealership is aware of the problem. MrOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2002
Vehicle experiencing same problems as sted in recall 99v193000 for anti-lock braking system. Dealer has been contacted, and informed consumer that recall didn't apply to to this vehicle due to VIN. Also, didn't apply to two wheel drive vehicles. Consumer has a two wheel drive. Please provide further details.*akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2001
Skid pad cover is holding water against fuel tank and causing corrosion which leads to fuel leak from fuel tank. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*akOwner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2001
While driving down the interstae i85.I headr a very load bang ....my left rear tire seemingly blew out..my truck went into a very hard to handle slide.the truck went very out of control to the right...I was able to pull of the interstae..and noticed the tire didn't feel flat....the tire tread completly seperated from the tire. And the tire was still inflated..which is what made the truck so out off control..would like to know if this has happened to the gillette tire before seeing I have three more on the truck...thanks timothy kunkel. *ak (tiresize: 205/14)Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
Passengers seat will not latch when adjusting. Had repaired 6 or 7 times. When a sudden stop occurs, the seat will move forward. Dealer contacted. *ak. Consumer stated the door lock is hard to operate with the key. *jbOwner report · Seats · Aug 2001
Vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, restraints did not retract, causing major injuries. Dealer has been notified.*ak the consumer after being examined by a physician believes he suffered major injury. *yhOwner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2001
Exhuast manifold has a hole in it and blows exhaust fumes inside passenger's compartment. Owner had exhaust manifold replaced. However, problem still reoccursred. Please provide more information.*akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2001

When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 83 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 9 campaigns

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR96V195000 · Oct 1996

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 INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM90V193000 · Nov 1990

NUTS USED TO ATTACH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD "STRIP".

Remedy: REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT NUTS AS WELL AS REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBER NUTS.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING06E049000 · May 2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING06E026000 · Mar 2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE91V108000 · Jun 1991

VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH THE FUEL TANK SENDER SEAL OUT OF POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE SENDER SEALS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD90V107000 · Jun 1990

USE OF IMPROPER PRIMER ON METAL SURFACES OF WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW OPENINGS COULD CAUSE LOW ADHESION TO THE METAL SURFACE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

Remedy: REMOVE AND REINSTALL GLASS USING PROPER PRIMER.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP99V193000 · Jul 1999

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 DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN93V008000 · Jan 1993

THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS08E050000 · Aug 2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

How other years compare

Check your exact S10 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1991 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA has 174 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Chevrolet S10. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1991 Chevrolet S10 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 132,000 miles or less.

Does the 1991 Chevrolet S10 have open recalls?

9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:gear box:shaft sector. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.