1998 Chevrolet S10: problems, recalls and reliability
11 recalls and 613 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (32% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 613 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Wipers just stopped working while driving in the rain. Unable to get them to turn back on. Seems to be eerily similar to a previous recall (03v159000) of earlier year model vehicles. Recall needs to be extended asap to cover 1998+ year model vehicles”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2020
“I just bought the truck used and sometimes the windshield wipers will work and sometimes they will not come on at all. It does this whether it is stationary, in motion, on a city street or a highway, turning, braking, hot or cold weather, etc. It is unsafe when it is raining because the wipers do not clear the windshield of rain, snow, sleet, water from other vehicles on the road passing or ahead of you or sleet. You cannot see clearly where you are driving. I was told by a friend they had a recall on the 1997 wiper motor on his s10 truck. Thought this might be the same problem. The two owners before me had the same problem with it. I am not sure who the orginal owner is or was.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 1998 chevrolet s10. While driving 5 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle that drove through a red light. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and lower back. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. A dealer was not made aware of the crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash and transferred the contact to NHTSA. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. *tt updated 8/30/18*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“My pickup was sitting in front of my home when it wouldn't start. I raised the hood and a rat was under the hood with debris with pieces of hoses and insulation from under the hood. After removing the debris I could see the wireing coatings and the hoses were all chewed and missing with part of it in the debris. I had discovered the same type of damage to my car that day but with a squirrel under the hood! I've lived here many years never had a problem with other vehicles. Afraid this could cause a safety hazard if it doesn't show up till on the road. Have not had it repaired yet due to the severity of damage & cost. Why are the rodents eating the wiring cover and hoses in vehicles?”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“Goodyear allegra p205 75r15 sidewall separation and cracking lead to blowout. Inner sidewall showed cracking and rippling as though chords were broken. Only 25,000 miles as my daily driver, no heavy loads. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet s10. While driving approximately 30 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 01/09/15*lj updated 06/2/2015 *js”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevy s10 pick up truck. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was caused by the failure of the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 5/27/14*cn the consumer stated since relieving the key ring of added weight the problem has not recurred. Updated 06/04/2014 *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2013
“Water leak in cowl area allowed rain water to collect undetected under carpet moisture barrier causing accessory handicapped accelerator pedal assembly to corrode. Corrosion of the pedal arm pivot shaft eventually caused pedal to freeze in a part throttle position in traffic. Evasive maneuver required to avoid collision while approaching intersection. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2013
“I was pulling into a mcdonald's drive-through lane and the silicone isolation mount where the top part of the transmission shift lever meets the bottom part coming up from the transmission broke loose. It is not possible to shift with the top lever now. It is possible to shift using the short bottom piece coming up from the transmission, but it is not easy to do so. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet s-10. The contact stated that there was a crack in the frame, behind the driver's side lower control arm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that there was no corrosion or impact that could have caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer, who refused to provide assistance for the repair. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 47,000. The current mileage was 48,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 61 of these complaints and injuries in 40 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 11 campaigns
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 DISABLE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITH THE BATTERY PACK EXCEEDS A PRESCRIBED VALUE. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ILLUMINATE THE "SERVICE NOW" AND "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" TELLTALES AND CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODEL INSTEAD OF BEING DISABLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.
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 SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
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.
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 TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 35 AND 76 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND (2) WATER HAS COLLECTED ON THE HEAT EXCHANGER DURING PREVIOUS OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
NHTSA has 613 owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet S10. The most complained-about area is visibility (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,625 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have open recalls?
11 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery. 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.