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1997 Chevrolet S10: ABS light or ABS activating

25 of the 469 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 describe ABS light or ABS activating.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
5%
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

ABS light or ABS activating by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Brakes · 73,166 miles · TX

Took my 1997 s10 pickup to a mechanic and requested he check the brakes. The brake pedal faults when continueing to apply pressure and begins to make a bouncing type of feeling and the distance to stop (especially on wet roads) cannot be determined. This is a dangerous problem. The mechanic stated that the ABS were faulty and to contact a dealer and have the VIN researched for recalls, etc. Also referred me to the federal safety agency.

Filed Jan 29, 2003 · Brakes · CA · crash

Abs locked up causing an accident and neither air bags deployed. Dealer was notified. Ph

Filed Aug 5, 2002 · Brakes · OH

Seems as if when I come to a complete stop, the bakes lock up or do not catch. Car-x said they couldn't find the problem. The ABS light keeps coming on and they don't know where the malfunction is. This problem almost cost me to crash a couple of times when parking in a parking lot and my brakes do work correctly. Any help on this matter will be greatly apprectiated. Thanks.

Filed Feb 18, 2001 · Steering, Transmission · AZ

This vehicle has had both drive lines replaced, the four wheel drive, the torque converter, three different idler arms, three sets of tires and two alignments, the rear end has been rebuilt due to worn out pinion bearing, two pulleys are squeeling, the brakes have to be pressed extremely hard and ABS kicks in all the time, tires rubbed the fender, altenator squeeling. I feel that this vehicle is substandard and that most of the repairs have been made out of pocket due to vehicle not being under warranty when they occurred. I have written an e mail to chevrolet service to find out what I can do with this truck.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Brakes · VA

Was driving & had started to apply the brakes. Brake pedal would leave the foot after being pressed. Abs acts as if its working on the right front side. Brakes would go out when the roads are either wet or snowy. Currently, doing it on dry pavement. Having problems stopping vehicle due to lack of brakes. Taken to dealer & mechanic indicated brakes were fine.

Filed Jun 2, 2000 · Brakes · MA

The ABS failed while driving. Yh

Filed May 1, 2000 · Brakes · GA

Abs booster pump failed while driving approx 70mph on freeway in heavy traffic causing loss of approx 99% of braking effeciency. Am original owner of vehicle and is not used by any other individual. Braking system has not been abused. I feel this is a defective part and is extremely critical to safe operation of the vehicle. Gm should be required to provide the federal safety agency with info regarding number of failures of this part.

Filed Feb 11, 2000 · Brakes · MD

When applying brakes in icy conditions ABS kicks in and the vehicle doesn't stop. There is a horrible grinding noise, and the brake pedal pushes up (severly). The same problem occurs in panic stop conditions on wet and dry pavement.

Filed Feb 6, 2000 · Brakes · CA

The vehicles anti lock brakes seem to (at random) engage far to early under normal braking conditions causing increased stopping distances and near misses. Several times when approaching an intersection at speeds between 35 and 40 MPH and the lights change, when applying normal braking pressure to stop the truck the brake pedal will drop to the floor and the ABS brakes kick in extending the stopping distance to dangerous distances as a result. If the brakes had remained normal and the ABS not engaged the truck would have stopped in the normal amount of distance for that speed. In short I can stop my 69 cadillac faster at times than I can this pickup truck. The truck has been to the dealer a few times now for this problem and they say there is nothing wrong with the brakes. However I did recently notice that up to the 1996 model year for the s-10 the trucks are being recalled for a ABS problem.....I think that needs to be extended to the 97 model year as well.

Filed Feb 3, 2000 · Brakes · KY

When applying ABS brakes pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance which nearly resulted in a collision. Vehicle taken to dealer, computer shows no problems. *ak

Filed Jan 22, 2000 · Brakes · NM

Ea 94 038/ABS braking system: vehicle experiencing problem with ABS system. Whenever brakes are applied on rough surface or bumps wheels lockup. Vehicle had been inspected by dealer on two occasions, and informed consumerthat nothing could be found. Also, when backing up, makes noise, sprong, sprong, and sprong as plunking on a banjo, like a spring letting go.

Filed Sep 30, 1999 · Brakes · CO

While driving in snow/ice/ in cold weather & had applied (ABS) brakes, vehicle failed to stop. Pedal went to floor. Nearly had an accident with fire truck. Vehicle towed to dealer. Mechanic informed owner no problem with ABS brakes after being told tow truck driver.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported June 16, 2000 · 306 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: electric pickup trucks. A condition in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe.
Risk
This could wear off the corrosion protection on the brake pipe, leading to premature corrosion and eventual loss of brake pipe integrity. When brake pipe integrity is lost, brake fluid leakage can occur.
Remedy
Dealers will relocate the ground strap attachment, inspect the brake pipe for wear, and replace the brake pipe if necessary.

Recall number 00V159000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported September 11, 1997 · 146,167 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 abs

Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet S10?

25 of 469 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 (5%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 1994.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet S10?

There are 2 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet S10

Wipers 109No deployment 33Brake failure 21Fuel gauge 20Stalling 14Ball joint 8Grinding brakes 7Fuel pump 7Adaptive cruise 6Airbag light 6Harsh shifting 6Transmission failure 6Loss of power 5Sudden acceleration 5

All model years of the Chevrolet S10

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