1999 Chevrolet S10: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 231 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
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 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My truck slowly started getting worse. First, the dinging noise that your car makes qhen the keys are left in the ignition or if you leave your lights on, my truck would make this sound with no light on or key in ignition causing the battery to drain. Then the gauges started acting crazy, completely not working at times. Now my truck will not start, it turns over but something doesn't catch or fire. I have replaced the battery numerous times and the spark plugs are new.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet s10. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to release from the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet s10. The contact stated that he noticed that the spare tire became detached from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the spare tire cable had fractured prematurely. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 60,620.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Yes my engine light came on and it said service engine soon. So I took it to a michanic and had it checked and it came up the transmission was having issues is there anything or help I can get to replace it? *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2013
“Key in lock have to move it back and front 7 times to get it in start and key comes out in start run ass lock.. I saw on the new that from 1997 to 2015 bad key switches. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2013
“I was moving my truck around in my drive way and the brakes failed and I hit the garage. After inspection I found that my brake line had rusted through and broke. This is the second time this has happened and I think it is ridiculous that something this important to the safety of a vehicle is this poorly made. Please look into this matter. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2012
“The steering column multifunction switch (hazard) has stopped functioning causing a cascade failure to braking system lights, dash lights and ignition. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet s10 4wd cr2. The contact was driving 5 mph when the vehicle failed to stop properly when the brakes were depressed. The vehicle coasted to a complete stop and the brakes emitted a loud noise when they were depressed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the diagnosis was that the front speed sensor low signal was faulty. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,276 and the current mileage was 68,326.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2011
“ABS on a slightly bumpy road, caused accident. I had plenty of time to stop but the ABS kept kicking in for no reason making me slide right into the guy. Truck is still damaged, 2200$ worth of repairs needed. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2010
“A brake line failed in a parking lot as I was backing out of a parking space. The dealer said the line was corroded and spliced in a compression fitting at a cost of $222.50. Since then, there have been 2 other failures of brake lines due to corrosion. The second failure, I replaced about 10 ft of brake line myself. The 3rd brake line failure occurred while an independent mechanic was fixing a broken upper control arm that had failed due to (wow) corrosion. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 33 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 1999 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
NHTSA has 231 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet S10. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet S10 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet S10 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.