I was involved in a traffic collision in which my brakes failed to stop my vehicle. When I pressed the brakes during a sudden stop, the brakes started to slow down my truck but then the pedal went all the way down to the floor with a rubbing noise and my truck kept traveling until I hit the vehicle in front of me.
The worst 1996 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.
- Brakes219
- Visibility100
- Airbags74
- Engine72
- Transmission68
- Electrical41
- Acceleration38
- Lights22
- Suspension22
- Fuel system19
- Steering18
- Body16
- Seat belts14
- Seats12
- Tires11
- Wheels7
- Locks2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet S10
Wipers 88ABS 86Brake failure 60No deployment 49Stalling 19Headlights 12Transmission failure 12Ball joint 10Check engine light 9Fire or smoke 8Grinding brakes 7Jerking 7Pulling 7Won't start 7Sudden acceleration 6Engine failure 5
Recalls 7
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- Risk
- If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details
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
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
- Risk
- This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Recall number 98V150001 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
- Risk
- Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line, the front brake line will be replaced.
Recall number 97V146001 · 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
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.
- Remedy
- All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
Recall number 97V008001 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to gm's specifications.
- Risk
- These transmissions could seize and lock the rear drive wheels while the truck is being driven causing a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.
Recall number 96V035000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1996 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
Seat belt webbing separation
The federal safety agency's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 chevrolet s-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
EA97004
Abs braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v‑193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
EA94038
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet S10 31
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
- 4WD models with noise, vibration on dry pavement
- Paint code unknown for front bumper and wheel flare
- Service engine soon light and P0300 when towing, cruising uphill or on hard acceleration
- Rattle noise in engine
- Malfunction indicator lamp on with a P0300 set and a misfire
- Engine coolant leak at intake gasket
1996 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 | 18-20 | 25-27 | 20-23 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-18 | 22-23 | 19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
What 1996 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet s10. While driving 35 MPH, the ABS malfunctioned. The contact stated that the ABS engaged independently, and pulled the vehicle to the left. Furthermore, the vehicle lost brake functionality completely. Gilcrest chevrolet buick gmc in tacoma, washington was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the brakes had been serviced by the dealer prior to this failure, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The contact cited the federal safety agency campaign number: 99v193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,160.
Drivers side seatbelt wouldn't latch. Driving and smelled smoke. Saw smoke coming from under drivers side dash. Stopped and saw melted wires. Seatbelt indicator light went out.
The accident was almost head on mainly on the passenger side. The impact was hard the air bags went off in the other car but neither one of ours went off. For about a year prior to the accident the truck would stall at random times.
For years my chevy s-10 1996 2wd truck would suddenly shut off on the road often at highway speeds. Chevy looked at the truck many times and always said they couldn't duplicate the problem. One time they talked me into a brand new transmission at 36100 miles. They didn't honor the warranty even though they said that the transmission was the shutoff problem and happened before the 36k warranty limit. That cost me nearly 4000 dollars. They truck continued to shut itself off while driving for years. It wasn't till a mechanic not affiliated with gm told me to stop using more than one key on my keychain. This gm ignition recall goes way beyond 2005 and cobalts. It goes back to early 90's s-10 trucks. Now we should know why gm never accepted responsibility for my truck and dropped the s-10 in the mid 2000's.
The lady turned in front of me and I tboned her.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet s-10. While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle stopped accelerating and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the transmission locked. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 99,000.
1996 chevy s10 attempted to slow but had equipment failure with the braking system. Consumer then swerved to the right to avoid hitting the car ahead, drove onto the cement curb, and struck a pole. *nj updated 05/12/10 *bf the brake lines on the left front side and rear were leaking. The fluid reservoir was very low and in fact was empty on the half designated for the rear brake. The driver admitted using the wrong type of brake line fitting when he did the brake servicing. Ohio traffic crash report #10-0433-91 the consumer stated the accident was a result of excessive corrosion on and around the rear axle. Updated 05/14/10.
Started having problems with the hazard/brake light fuse blowing occasionally about 2.5 yr ago... Recently the fuse blows almost as soon as you turn the vehicle on. Bulbs are good and lights work until the fuse blows. I've replaced the electrical system in the steering column twice in that same period of time. The most recent time had no effect on the fuses blowing.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the radiator overheated, and the temperate gauge went all the way to the red line. There was yellow fluid that overflowed from the reservoir and had rusted the radiator. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who refused to flush the radiator. The manufacturer was not alerted.
Compare the 1996 Chevrolet S10
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Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet S10
Is the 1996 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
Owners have filed 665 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 31.7 times a typical S10 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet S10?
Brakes, with 219 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is visibility (100).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet S10 have?
7 recalls, covering visibility, service brakes, hydraulic and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet S10 brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 99V193000, 97V146001. 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 1996 Chevrolet S10 get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet S10 range from 17 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-20 city and 25-27 highway.
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