Hard brake pedal, vehicle was moving on a city street, braking. All r/f braking components contributed to incident. Possibly recall 991006000 was never exercised.
The worst 1994 Chevrolet S10 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes532
- Visibility241
- Engine66
- Acceleration39
- Fuel system38
- Transmission37
- Electrical28
- Suspension21
- Body20
- Seat belts16
- Steering15
- Seats13
- Lights12
- Tires11
- Airbags3
- Wheels2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Chevrolet S10
ABS 240Wipers 207Brake failure 143Grinding brakes 10Fuel leak 9Spongy pedal 9Stalling 9Adaptive cruise 8Premature wear 8Loss of power 6Engine failure 5Seat belt 5Sudden acceleration 5
Recalls 5
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
- Risk
- If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Recall number 99V193000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
- Risk
- If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Recall number 97V096001 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- The intermediate steering shaft loosens at the steering shaft to steering gear coupling. With this looseness, the yoke pinch bolt can wear on the splines of the shaft until there is no longer an interference between the splines and the bolt.
- Risk
- This condition can cause body to chassis movement allowing the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear which can result in a loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retorque the upper and lower bolts to correct specifications.
Recall number 96V195000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- A vacuum hose can detach from the power brake booster check valve as a result of engine backfire.
- Risk
- This can result in increased engine idle and loss of power brake assist after depletion of the booster vacuum reserve.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a clamp on the power brake booster assist.
Recall number 94V228000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The fuel tank filler pipes were not manufactured to specification which caused loss of fuel between the fuel tank filler pipe and the vent tube during a test. The loss of fuel was in excess of the amount permitted by fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: if a vehicle crash were to occur, it may cause the joint between the fuel tank filler pipes and the vent tube to crack. If the vehicle overturned, fuel leakage would occur, which could result in a post-crash fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel filler pipe on these vehicles.
Recall number 94V014000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1994 Chevrolet S10
Defect investigations
Spare tire separation from vehicle
EA99018
Separation of spare tire from vehicle
Alleged that wire cable/winch assembly which holds the spare tire/wheel assembly uder the rear of the vehicle may fail, allowing the tire to fall from the vehicle while in motion
PE99004
Loss of steering control
lower clamp of the steering linkage intershaft may separate fro steering gear shaft due to disengagement of clamp bolt and/or improper fit of the lower clamp with the steering shaft.
PE96048
Abs braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v‑193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
EA94038
Abs braking system fails
There is no summary currently available
PE94046
Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Chevrolet S10 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
- Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan
- Subject regarding ABS 3-SENSOR EBC4 - special policy
- Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or...
- Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under...
- Unknown
- End gate latch rattle (install revised striker)
- Water leak at the a/c recirculation door (install new hood hinge seal)
- Stepper motor cruise control will not resume or reset (replace smcc module)
1994 Chevrolet S10 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | RWD | 17-20 | 23-26 | 19-22 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 22-23 | 18-19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 20 | 16-17 |
What 1994 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet s-10. The contact stated that the windshield wipers malfunctioned and failed to function while driving in inclement weather. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised him that the motor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was approximately 162,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet s-10. The contact stated that the vehicle continues to blow the fuses to the main ignition power source of the coil. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure; however, they repaired the vehicle incorrectly. The contact repaired the vehicle himself by installing a plastic pipe in the engine. He called the dealer back, and they laughed. The failure mileage was 104,000.
Windshield wipers failed many times to start or stop. I have had to solder again the main board a number of times. Gm said it was not one of the recall units yet it has the same symtoms.
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.
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
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.
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 pressure. The police officers did not fill out an accident report because there was no accident.
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)
Compare the 1994 Chevrolet S10
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Questions about the 1994 Chevrolet S10
Is the 1994 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
Owners have filed 966 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet S10, 46.0 times a typical S10 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 Chevrolet S10?
Brakes, with 532 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles. Next is visibility (241).
How many recalls does the 1994 Chevrolet S10 have?
5 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, seat belts and steering.
Was there a recall on the 1994 Chevrolet S10 brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 99V193000, 94V228000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet S10 have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet S10 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (532 complaints), 1995 (320 complaints) and 1996 (219 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Chevrolet S10 get?
Official estimates for the 1994 Chevrolet S10 range from 16 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-20 city and 23-26 highway.
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