Total Complaints
32 filings
CHEVROLET S10 · model year
1986 CHEVROLET S10
32 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986CHEVROLETS10 carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 S10 is seats with 3 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (3) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1986 S10, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
32
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEATS | 3 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20011002INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH EITHER STAY ON AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BULBS OUT FOR THEM TO NOT LIGHT. ALSO ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH FLICKER WHENEVER YOU STOP OR EXCILLERATE. YOU PUSH IN THE LIGHTER YOU LOSE THE RADIO AND EVERYTHING ON THAT FUSE. HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE BEFORE BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK.*AK
20010307SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SAHKE AND VIBRATES.*AK
20001219TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREAD OF THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE CASING AND CAME THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE (DEFIANCE CENTENNIAL). NLM
20001205TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREAD OF THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE CASING AND CAME THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE (DEFIANCE CENTENNIAL). NLM
20000905STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING LINKAGE HAS VERY BAD SQUEAKING PROBLEM. I HAD BEEN INFORMED BY AN INDIVIDUAL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1986 S10 BLAZERS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I JUST WANTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY TRUTH TO IT. IT HAS BEEN SQUEAKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE ABOUT 10/21/99. IF YOU HAVE NO INFO, CAN YOU DIRECT ME WHERE I COULD CONTACT SOMEONE WHO MAY? THANK YOU.
20000824TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREAD ON THREE OF THESE TIRES HAVE SHREDDED IN THE LAST 6 YRS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/75R15 )
20000128CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT 55 MPHIN WHICH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SNAPPED INTO TWO. NO INJURIES WAS REPORTED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTRACTED. *AK
19990528ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ADL LINK SAYS EVERYTHING IS OKAY, BUT WHEN I AM DRIVING THIS THING THE MIL BLINKS ON AND OFF SHUTTING ALL POWER OFF TO THE IGNITION, HEADLIGHTS, TURN& TAIL LGHTS, FUEL PUMP. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS STILL WORKING BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DECEASED.
19981207SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT. MY SEATBELTS JUST WON'T RETRACT. I DON'T FEEL AT ALL SAFE!!
19981009FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO CORROSION.CONSUMER BELEIVED THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
19971215SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
UPON COMING TP STOP SIGN APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO 20 MPH BUT LOAD IN BOX OF TRUCK STARTED TO SHIFT. LET UP ON BRAKES. WHEN BRAKES WERE REAPPLIED, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WENT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE.
19971120SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED.
19970122CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
VEHICLE NOT DESIGNED W/HEADREST, CAUSING NECK INJURY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE KNOCKS.
19961231SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT UPHOLSTERY CAME LOOSE.
19961231UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RATTLING IN DASH.
19961231VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S WINDOWS STREAKED.
19961231SEATS
REAR SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE MAKES POPPING NOISE.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VALVE CLATTER IN NEW ENGINE.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVER BACK SEAT POPPING.
Compare 1986CHEVROLETS10 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 CHEVROLET S10 have?▼
The 1986 CHEVROLET S10 has 32 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 CHEVROLET S10?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 CHEVROLET S10 is SEATS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1986 CHEVROLET S10 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.