CHEVROLET S10 · model year

1994 CHEVROLET S10

1225 NHTSA complaints, 142 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994CHEVROLETS10 carries 1225 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 142 crashes, 12 fires, 60 injuries, and 2 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 1994 S10 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 447 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (112) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (99). 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 1994 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.

1225
Complaints
142
Crashes
12
Fires
60
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

1225 filings

Crashes Reported

142 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP447
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR112
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER99
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS43
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL31
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY12
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK11

Recent Complaints

20120313ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1994 CHEVROLET S10 BLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE DAMAGE DONE BY TOW COMPANY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ADVISED THE TOW COMPANY, THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AT THE REPAIR SHOP, TO INFORM THEM NOT TO TURN ON THE ENGINE BEFORE DRAINING OFF SOME OF THE OIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TOW COMPANY DID NOT COMPLY WITH HER REQUEST, AND THEREFORE, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON, IT DESTROYED THE PISTON RODS.

20051231VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (SECOND OWNER) I NOTICED A GLITCH IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION, NOTABLY A SUDDEN CEASE IN OPERATION, WHETHER OR NOT THE INTERMITTENT SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THIS OCCURRED USUALLY AFTER 20 OR MORE MINUTES OF DRIVING, WHICH RESULTS IN SOME FAIRLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE OPERATION IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *NM

Mileage: 120,000

20050921ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DAD: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SAA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING IT TO CUT A HOLE IN THE WIRING THAT LED TO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS WAS THAT IT KILLED THE ENGINE, AND LED TO NOT HAVING POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER'S CONCERN WAS WITH THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE TELEPHONE NUMBER SO HE COULD CONTACT THEM. *AK

Mileage: 86,000

20050913UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DT: THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE VERY END OF THE CABLE RUSTED . THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 8, 2005. HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND REALIZED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. *AK *JB

Mileage: 70,000

20050801SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP. WHILE ON THE NY THROUGHWAY AT MILE POST 145 WEST BOUND WITH TWO LANES OF VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC ALL THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CONTACT'S VEHICLE WERE HITTING THE BRAKES BECAUSE IT WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ON THE OUTSIDE PASSING LANE GOING STRAIGHT WITH PLENTY OF ROOM BARELY HIT THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. SINCE EVERYONE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD TO MOVE OVER, WENT ON THE MEDIAN IN THE HIGHWAY TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND PASSED ABOUT 40-50 VEHICLES. BEGAN DOWN SHIFTING, AND FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REPAIRED BOTH BRAKE LINES. CONTACT KNEW SOMEONE THAT OWNED A 1996 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND HAD SAME PROBLEM, BRAKE LINE BROKE AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A WALL. ALSO, KNEW A RETIRED MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH GM ABS BRAKES. THE BACK BRAKES HAD TO BE ADJUSTED VERY TIGHTLY TO HAVE BRAKE PRESSU

20050715VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

MY 1994 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #98V150001. I THINK IT SHOULD BE. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT WORK. SOMETIMES THEY STOP WORKING AS I'M DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE STARTED WITH THE NEW BODY STYLE FOR S-10 PICKUPS, WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. SHOULD MY VEHICLE BE INCLUDED? VIN: [XXX] THANKS. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 55,000

20050607SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

I PURCHASED MY 1994 CHEVY S-10, VIN [XXX], NEW IN '94. WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM, THE ADJUSTORS ARE SHOVING THE SHOES TOO TIGHT AGAINST THE DRUMS, CAUSING THEM TO DRAG, GLAZING THE SHOES, & AFTER PERIODS OF TIME, BURNING UP THE SHOES, WARPING THE DRUMS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SHOES & DRUMS AN AVERAGE OF EVERY 30,000 MILES. TAKEN THE TRUCK BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULTS OR PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THEY CLEAN THEM, ADJUST THEM, CHARGE ME, SHIP ME OUT THE DOOR. WHEN THE ROADWAY IS WET OR SNOWY, THE REAR BRAKES CONSTANTLY LOCK UP. THIS HAS THROWN ME INTO SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BECAUSE OF NO BRAKES. WHEN THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP THE FRONT BRAKES UNLOAD, LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES. THE FRONT PADS GO AN AVERAGE OF 80,000 MILES WITHOUT NEEDING CHANGED. YOU ASK FOR NUMBER OF FAILURES. THE BRAKES FAIL DURING RAINS, SNOW, ETC? EACH TIME I HIT MY BRAKES DURING THESE CONDITIONS IS A FAILURE.

Mileage: 30,000

20050607SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I PURCHASED MY 1994 CHEVY S-10, VIN [XXX], NEW IN '94. WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM, THE ADJUSTORS ARE SHOVING THE SHOES TOO TIGHT AGAINST THE DRUMS, CAUSING THEM TO DRAG, GLAZING THE SHOES, & AFTER PERIODS OF TIME, BURNING UP THE SHOES, WARPING THE DRUMS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SHOES & DRUMS AN AVERAGE OF EVERY 30,000 MILES. TAKEN THE TRUCK BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULTS OR PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THEY CLEAN THEM, ADJUST THEM, CHARGE ME, SHIP ME OUT THE DOOR. WHEN THE ROADWAY IS WET OR SNOWY, THE REAR BRAKES CONSTANTLY LOCK UP. THIS HAS THROWN ME INTO SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BECAUSE OF NO BRAKES. WHEN THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP THE FRONT BRAKES UNLOAD, LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES. THE FRONT PADS GO AN AVERAGE OF 80,000 MILES WITHOUT NEEDING CHANGED. YOU ASK FOR NUMBER OF FAILURES. THE BRAKES FAIL DURING RAINS, SNOW, ETC? EACH TIME I HIT MY BRAKES DURING THESE CONDITIONS IS A FAILURE.

Mileage: 30,000

20050429FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE INJECTORS ON THE 1994 CHEVROLET S-10.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE INJECTORS TWICE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT CRACKED AND LEAKED. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED DUE TO A MISROUTED WIRING HARNESS. *JB

20050429ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE INJECTORS ON THE 1994 CHEVROLET S-10.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE INJECTORS TWICE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT CRACKED AND LEAKED. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED DUE TO A MISROUTED WIRING HARNESS. *JB

20050429ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE INJECTORS ON THE 1994 CHEVROLET S-10.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE INJECTORS TWICE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT CRACKED AND LEAKED. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED DUE TO A MISROUTED WIRING HARNESS. *JB

20050212STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

BOTH TAILGATE CABLES HAVE BROKEN. THE FIRST HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR A YEARS, THE SECOND SNAPPED AS I WAS UNLOADING A HEAVY GARBAGE CAN. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT HURT AS THE CAN FELL TO THE GROUND. *JB ALSO THE GLUE HAS FAILED ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, AND REAR WINDOW LOCK.

Mileage: 106,000

20050106VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

I BOUGHT A USED 1994 S-10. I FOUND OUT THE WIPERS DON'T WORK OR QUIT WORKING AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF RAIN OR WHEN IT IS REALLY HUMID OUTSIDE THE DON'T WORK EITHER, SO I LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BECAUSE I TRY TO PULL OVER BUT CANT SEE WHERE TO PULL OVER, EXAMPLE TREES SIGNS CURVES. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF OTHER VEHICLES WHERE INVOLVED IN THE WIPER RECALL, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MINE DOES NOT QUALIFY DUE TO THE VIN #. REGARDLESS THE WIPERS ARE THE PROBLEM THAT THEY DID THE RECALL ON. PLEASE HELP AND GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO NEXT. DEALERSHIP OR GM DOD NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

Mileage: 86,000

20041228SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE'S ABS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*MR THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BUT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE UNIROYAL TIRES SEEMED TO BE OUT OF ROUND. *NM *JB

20041228TIRES

VEHICLE'S ABS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*MR THE ABS WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BUT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE UNIROYAL TIRES SEEMED TO BE OUT OF ROUND. *NM *JB

20041220STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I OWN A 1994 CHEVROLET S-10 2WD REGULAR CAB PICKUP. THE TAILGATE CABLES ON MY TRUCK ARE EITHER FAILING OR HAVE FAILED. I DO NOT USE MY VEHICLE FOR ANY SPECIAL PURPOSES, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY USE. THROUGH THE REGULAR OPENING AND CLOSING OF MY TAILGATE MY RIGHT-SIDE CABLE HAS SNAPPED, AND MY LEFT-SIDE CABLE IS FREYING AND I EXPECT TO SNAP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IF THE LEFT-SIDE CABLE SNAPS THERE WILL BE NOTHING KEEPING THE TAILGATE FROM FALLING OFF. I AM AFRAID THAT WHEN IT FAILS IT WILL BE UNDER LOAD AND SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED.*AK

20041103VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

20041001FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAK WHERE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT IN 1994. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT IDENTIFYING WITH THE RECALL NUMBER WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER. *AK NO RECALL FOUND FOR THIS VEHICLE. IN LOOKING IN THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHERE A RUBBER SLEEVE/UNION WAS DAMP WITH FUEL. THE FUEL SMELL COULD BE NOTICED FROM A DISTANCE. *TC

Mileage: 145,000

20040824VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD RANDOMLY SLOW, STOP OR NOT WORK. LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD TURN OFF AFTER TURN IS COMPLETE(NOT SURE IF THEY'RE RELATED). HAD MOTOR AND MODULE REPLACED IN 2000 FOR $650 AND NOW HAVING SAME PROBLEM. RECALL ISSUED FOR SOME '1994'S BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE, YET IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL COVERS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES. CHEVROLET NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! *AK

20040721SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS SON WAS DRIVING ALONG AT A SPEED OF 25-30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE STATED THAT HIS SON APPLIED HIS BRAKES PLENTY OF TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED. ALSO, HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEVER SLOWED DOWN, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO PLOW RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THE PERSON'S VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE OTHER VEHICLE'S AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, INJURING THE PASSENGER SOME. CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE BRAKES. HE STATES THAT HE HAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *LA

Compare 1994CHEVROLETS10 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 CHEVROLET S10 have?
The 1994 CHEVROLET S10 has 1225 NHTSA complaints, 142 crashes, 12 fires, 60 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 CHEVROLET S10?
The most-complained component for the 1994 CHEVROLET S10 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 447 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1994 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.