1996 Chevrolet S10: complete transmission failure

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 3,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jun 19, 2002 · Transmission · MI

Transmission went out at 61,000 while driving on highway @65 miles per hour, just quit on the highway, gmc wouldn't stand behind it, transmission shop rebuilt it and found a crack in the case due to it not cooling properly, had to put a larger cooler unit in the truck to handle the transmission for this truck. Timing belt went while going down the highway @65 miles per hour, everything locked up on the truck power steering, brakes and just died in the middle of the highway. Both situations very dangerous.

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Transmission · PA

We do not believe that the power train automatic transmission should have failed at 58788 miles. The vehicle is not used for off road, heavy hauling, or for any other purpose than normal city/highway driving. We paid $1987.74 for a new automatic transmission and want to know if other chevrolet s10 blazer owners have had similar problems at low mileage. We would also like to know if any factory/dealer recalls were out there that as an owner we were not notified. We have learned that other s10 blazer owners have experienced auto transmission failure but have no specifics on mileage or circumstances surrounding failure. Please reply at earliest opportunity. Thank you for any help/information you can provide.

Filed Apr 16, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · TX

Transmission was replaced due to drive belt slippage, transmission leakage onto the connection to radiator resulted in replacement of the radiator.

Filed Jun 7, 2000 · Transmission · VT

The day the transmission failed.we were traveling on the interstate going 70 MPH when the truck made a funny sound and then it just locked up . The truck almost swerved off the road before I got control of it. Luckily no one was hurt but it could have been much worse. We would like to know why we were never made aware of the recall on this problem so we could of had this fixed. This problem would of been remied a long time ago and we wouldn't be in this position. We should of been told about this problem so we could of had an opportunity to get this fixed. This could of caused serious injury or possible death. I find this totally disbelievable and now we can't seem to get this matter cleared up. We seem to be getting doors closed in our faces.

Filed May 10, 2000 · Transmission · MA

The transmission went out about a year and a half ago, I had it fixed under warranty, and now it is leaking fluid again. I am in the military in germany, and the geraman opel dealarship said the transmission had a one year warranty, so now I have pay for it myself. The truck has very low miles for 4 years, and it's already had two transmissions go on it. I'm not very happy with the way this has all turned out, because I really do like the truck, but now I will never buy a chevrolet again, and I have warned all my friends not to as well.

Filed Feb 23, 2000 · Transmission · NY

Needs new transmission, gm/chevy has 9 on wait list now. None available in us.

Filed Nov 9, 1999 · Transmission · AL

There is a recurring problem with the ses indicator on my dash and transmission shifting that causes the light to come on during interstate driving. When exiting the interstate onto local roads the transmission shifts extemely hard jolting the car. After driving this way for a while the hard shift stops but the light remains on. I can get the light to go off by disconnecting the battery ground for a short time and reconnecting. This resets the car computer. I have taken the car twice to the dealer who was unable to draw a code from the diagnostic machine. I was charged for both attempts. I was told to just drive the car until the transmission went out and then bring it back in. This is ludicrous. I reported the problem to the chevrolet headquarters. I also took my car to a very reputable transmission shop where a code 1870 was pulled. There were five other chevy trucks there with the same code problem. My transmission man does some transmission work for the chevy dealer across the street and when he mentioned the code to their service dealer, he was told that they did not have a fix for the problem as they couldn't diagnose the cause. This is obviously a common problem, a production defect, that they wish would go away. This is a dangerous situation in so far that you cannot know when it will happen or if the transmission will work when it does happen. A real potential for an accident exists, yet mums the word from chevrolet. They would rather replace the transmission and let the consumer pay for it. The transmission is not the problem but the sensor is, since it controls the shifting of the transmission. My problem continues every time I drive for more than 30 minutes a high speeds. So far I haven't heard anything from chevrolet. I guess they would rather pay later.

Filed Oct 20, 1999 · Transmission · AL

Transmission went out which was causing the vehicle to stall and cut off while driving.

Filed Apr 27, 1999 · Transmission · OH

While driving at 45 MPH heard a noise and had no reverse when trying to back up into garage. Dealer contacted, and stated that transmission was defective. Ealer replaced transmission. No recalls were established . Problem was remedied.

Filed Mar 29, 1999 · Transmission · LA · fire

On highway, billows of smoke appeared from underneath truck; engine stalled. When started up again, would not go over 35mph. Mike at gerry lane chevy in baton rouge, la (repairing dealer) stated 'major internal failure' that at his best guess was from a loose part from the factory, which finally freed itself and caused failure. He described the underside of my truck as 'black' from the incident. I paid 1890.00 for a new transmission...mike sd failure was not due to driving habits or any neglect.

Filed Sep 12, 1996 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

Transmission failed.