Total Complaints
34 filings
CHEVROLET S10 · model year
1990 CHEVROLET S10
34 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990CHEVROLETS10 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 1990 S10 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (3) and seat belts:front:retractor (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 1990 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.
34
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 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 |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140316CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY
A JEEP WITH A BIKE MOUNTED ON A BIKE RACK STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT QUICKLY LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SWERVE, BUT HIT THE REAR OF THE JEEP, DAMAGING THE BIKE AND BIKE RACK. SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY GRILLE, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER AND HEADLIGHT, AND RADIATOR MOUNT. AFTER EXCHANGING INSURANCE INFORMATION, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND, BY THE FUEL TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE. LIMPED HOME (ABOUT 2 BLOCKS). NO BRAKES OTHER THAN EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED FAILED BRAKE LINE AND SEVERE RUST ON MOST BRAKE LINES. *TR
Mileage: 98,858
20140316CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
A JEEP WITH A BIKE MOUNTED ON A BIKE RACK STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT QUICKLY LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SWERVE, BUT HIT THE REAR OF THE JEEP, DAMAGING THE BIKE AND BIKE RACK. SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY GRILLE, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER AND HEADLIGHT, AND RADIATOR MOUNT. AFTER EXCHANGING INSURANCE INFORMATION, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND, BY THE FUEL TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE. LIMPED HOME (ABOUT 2 BLOCKS). NO BRAKES OTHER THAN EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED FAILED BRAKE LINE AND SEVERE RUST ON MOST BRAKE LINES. *TR
Mileage: 98,858
20010117SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED FRONT WHEELS LOCK, AND REAR WHEELS KEEP TURNING, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
20000823TIRES:TREAD/BELT
LAST WEEK TWO TIRES HAVE SHOWN SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. TIRES WERE ON A 1990, CHEVROLET, S10. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 35,000. THERE WAS 5/32 TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES. *AK BOTH OF THE BACK FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES HAD BULGES ON THE TREAD. *SLC
19991228FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUAL PUMP WIRE MELTED INSIDE OF FUAL TANK. *AK
19990730LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
3RD DOOR LATCH FAILED CAUSING DOOR TO NOT OPEN/STICK. MJS
19990503ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 6 1999 I DISCOVERED THE #2 CYLINDER WAS BADLY CARBON FOULED ,SINCE THAT TIME IT'S HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL USE AT ALL,THE MECHANIC HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT ,THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED TO OPERATE IN THIS MANNER AND BASICALLY LIVE WITH IT! I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD GET MY MONEY BACK IN FULL SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A LEMON VEHICLE. *AK
19990323STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT ON ROOF IS BEGINNING TO PEEL. EVERYTIME I WAS IN VEHICLE MORE PAINT FLAKES OFF
19990223EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE ON BROKE. IF ANY VISUAL INSPECTION IS NEEDED FEEL FREE TO DO SO
19981001ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE IS GIVING AN ERROR SIGNAL. OWNER INTERESTED IN COMPLAINTS ON 1990-1998 S10'S AND THE VORTEX V-6 ENGINES.
19980811EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE THE JACK COLLAPSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE JACK WILL NOT BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. *AK
19980521TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SPARE TIRE MOUNT FAILED.
19980424UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED HAD TO HAVE CLUSTER MODULE REPLACED.
19980413SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED.
19980413SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED TWICE; BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURED WITHIN TWO YEARS, RESULTING IN COLLISIONS.
19980412SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAILED TWICE, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES.
19980323VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED.
19980323FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK RUSTED OUT.
19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM MUFFLER FAILED.
19971218CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE, RESULTIN IN ROLLOVER. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO FLY OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT AND ONTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK
Compare 1990CHEVROLETS10 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 1990 CHEVROLET S10 have?▼
The 1990 CHEVROLET S10 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 CHEVROLET S10?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 CHEVROLET S10 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR.
Is the 1990 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.