CHEVROLET S10 · model year

1997 CHEVROLET S10

574 NHTSA complaints, 72 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997CHEVROLETS10 carries 574 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 72 crashes, 9 fires, 46 injuries, and 3 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 1997 S10 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 64 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (62) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (38). 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 1997 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.

574
Complaints
72
Crashes
9
Fires
46
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

574 filings

Crashes Reported

72 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 SLIP64
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR62
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER38
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL33
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION31
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY10
AIR BAGS10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS9
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER8

Recent Complaints

20190122STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HOIST ASSEMBLY RETAINER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20151019VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN RAINY WEATHER, WHICH CAUSED A REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

20151014VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE SPORADICALLY WHEN TURNED ON. SOME TIMES WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON, THEY WILL OPERATE NORMALLY AND OTHER TIMES THEY WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THE VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL WERE INCLUDED IN A RECALL BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STOPPED IN THE DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT. (REFERENCE GM RECALL 03023)

Mileage: 90,000

20141103SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER THE GARAGE, THE ENGINE ACCELERATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. LETTING OFF OF THE BRAKES AND REAPPLYING THEM AND PUSHING HARDER HAS EASED THE ISSUE SOMEWHAT. IT DOES THIS VERY FREQUENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20141006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

OCCASIONALLY ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES AND COUNTING WHEN INITIALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE AT EITHER 45MPH OR 10 MPH MY 1997 CHEVY S10 VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND CRUISE CONTROL OFF AT WHAT APPEARED TO BE FULL SPEED/THROTTLE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO BRAKE EVEN HARDER, BUT THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND SEEMED TO REDUCE THE STOPPING FORCE BY NOT LETTING THE WHEELS LOCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND ALSO STOPPED ACCELERATING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20141006SERVICE BRAKES

OCCASIONALLY ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES AND COUNTING WHEN INITIALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE AT EITHER 45MPH OR 10 MPH MY 1997 CHEVY S10 VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND CRUISE CONTROL OFF AT WHAT APPEARED TO BE FULL SPEED/THROTTLE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO BRAKE EVEN HARDER, BUT THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND SEEMED TO REDUCE THE STOPPING FORCE BY NOT LETTING THE WHEELS LOCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND ALSO STOPPED ACCELERATING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20141006FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

OCCASIONALLY ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES AND COUNTING WHEN INITIALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE AT EITHER 45MPH OR 10 MPH MY 1997 CHEVY S10 VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND CRUISE CONTROL OFF AT WHAT APPEARED TO BE FULL SPEED/THROTTLE. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO BRAKE EVEN HARDER, BUT THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND SEEMED TO REDUCE THE STOPPING FORCE BY NOT LETTING THE WHEELS LOCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND ALSO STOPPED ACCELERATING. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20140829FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES, LINES BLEW. NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ACROSS MFRS. . WELL MAINTAINED CARS WITH SEVERELY CORRODED FUEL AND BRAKE LINES. I BET IT CAN BE TRACED TO A CHEAP SUPPLIER THAT SUPPLIED THE BIG 3 FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS. NO CORROSION RESISTANCE ON THE STEEL. CAN'T BLAME THIS ON NE WINTER SALT. MY OEM 1964 LOOKS BETTER THAN MY LATE MODEL VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 187,000

20140829SERVICE BRAKES

SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINES, LINES BLEW. NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ACROSS MFRS. . WELL MAINTAINED CARS WITH SEVERELY CORRODED FUEL AND BRAKE LINES. I BET IT CAN BE TRACED TO A CHEAP SUPPLIER THAT SUPPLIED THE BIG 3 FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS. NO CORROSION RESISTANCE ON THE STEEL. CAN'T BLAME THIS ON NE WINTER SALT. MY OEM 1964 LOOKS BETTER THAN MY LATE MODEL VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 187,000

20140311CrashAIR BAGS

VEHICAL PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT HIM RUNNING 55 MPH MY SAFETY BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN SEVERE SEATBELT AND STERRING WHEEL DAMAGE TO MY BODY AND TERIBLE NECK PAIN AND BACK PAIN RESULTING FROM LACK OF AIR BAGNEGLECT

Mileage: 220,000

20130731VISIBILITY/WIPER

WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS START OR STOP WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON/OFF. INTERMITTENT SETTING DOES NOT WORK, WIPERS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK AS IF TURNED ON AND NOT IN INTERMITTENT MODE. WIPER BLADE WILL STOP AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS ON WINDSHIELD. *TR

20130223CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE READ OF A SAFTEY RECALL ON THIS VEHICAL WITH THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, I SHOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP, IT'S ONLY A SMALL PICK UP, I KNOW FOR CERTIAN I HAVE A FULLY LOADED WORK TRUCK A FORD 3/4 TON ECONOLINE VAN AND I KNOW I COULD HAVE STOPPED THAT VEHICLE IN TIME. I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES, THEY JUST WOULDNT DO ANYTHING , IN AN EMERGENCY THEY JUST DON'T CUT THE MUSTARD. I HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AND MY NEEK HAS BEEN NOT FEELING GOOD EVER SINCE. MY FATHER IN LAW GAVE THIS TRUCK TO MY WIFE HEN HE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE, AND IT WAS TOLD TO ME HE HAD THE TRUCK INTO THE SHOP REPEATEDLY FOR THE SAME THING SINCE IT WAS NEW. SEEMS TO ME GM SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT AND THE BODY COLLISION, BEINGS THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT AND HAVENT DONE SQUAT, AND PAY FOR MY PAIN AND MEDICAL. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20130223CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE READ OF A SAFTEY RECALL ON THIS VEHICAL WITH THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, I SHOULD HAVE HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP, IT'S ONLY A SMALL PICK UP, I KNOW FOR CERTIAN I HAVE A FULLY LOADED WORK TRUCK A FORD 3/4 TON ECONOLINE VAN AND I KNOW I COULD HAVE STOPPED THAT VEHICLE IN TIME. I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES, THEY JUST WOULDNT DO ANYTHING , IN AN EMERGENCY THEY JUST DON'T CUT THE MUSTARD. I HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AND MY NEEK HAS BEEN NOT FEELING GOOD EVER SINCE. MY FATHER IN LAW GAVE THIS TRUCK TO MY WIFE HEN HE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE, AND IT WAS TOLD TO ME HE HAD THE TRUCK INTO THE SHOP REPEATEDLY FOR THE SAME THING SINCE IT WAS NEW. SEEMS TO ME GM SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT AND THE BODY COLLISION, BEINGS THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT AND HAVENT DONE SQUAT, AND PAY FOR MY PAIN AND MEDICAL. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20120809VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS A MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20120422SEATS

PASSENGER SEAT RECLINE HANDLE BROKE OFF WITH THE SEAT IN THE RECLINED POSITION. *TR

Mileage: 136,753

20110901VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER CONTINUOUSLY TURNING THE CONTROL MECHANISM FORCEFULLY. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20101222VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITION WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) YET, THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20100610VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED ALL DIFFERENT SETTING BUT WIPER DID NOT WORK SO I PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED AND THEY HAD STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (03V159000) WHILE RESEARCHING WHAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED A DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD OF THE RECALL. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET (800 222-1020) ON JUNE 10TH 2010, BUT THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL IN EFFECT? *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20100610VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED ALL DIFFERENT SETTING BUT WIPER DID NOT WORK SO I PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED AND THEY HAD STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE (03V159000) WHILE RESEARCHING WHAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED A DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD OF THE RECALL. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET (800 222-1020) ON JUNE 10TH 2010, BUT THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL IN EFFECT? *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20100427SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE FLUID ABNORMALLY LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BRAKES LINES WERE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE BRAKES WERE BLED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V146001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 06/21/10 *BF UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

Mileage: 93,000

Compare 1997CHEVROLETS10 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 CHEVROLET S10 have?
The 1997 CHEVROLET S10 has 574 NHTSA complaints, 72 crashes, 9 fires, 46 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CHEVROLET S10?
The most-complained component for the 1997 CHEVROLET S10 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 64 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1997 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.