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.
Chevrolet S10 brake failure problems
458 of the 5,662 owner complaints about the Chevrolet S10 describe brake failure, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 458
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical repair cost reported
- $800
- typical mileage
- 65,327
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 164Grinding brakes 8No deployment 8Spongy pedal 4Wipers 3Pulling 3Premature wear 3Harsh shifting 3
What owners say
Total sudden brake failure I had to leave the road to avoid other cars. 40mph front right steal line failed and right rear line failed at the same time lines are rusty but the rest of the truck is ok there was no warning signs ( like drips or low level in the booster)
The brake lines burst while driving down the road under normal driving conditions and the brakes failed resulting in no braking power. Inspection by a mechanic determined that the brake lines had suddenly failed during braking and the fluid had drained out resulting in an immediate loss of braking power during my braking. Was driving at about 30 MPH on a city street when I started to brake and they failed, was able to stop without injury due to manual transmission engine braking and a very bad parking brake.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 chevrolet s10. While driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed to respond and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The anti lock brake system warning light illuminated prior to the failure and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 07/28/16
Rusted brake lines. Almost total loss of braking.
First incident approximately 2/15/2015, brakes pedal went close to floor when trying to stop vehicle, downshifted transmission to help stop vehicle. It was determined rust had caused a hole to develop in brake line cooler behind radiator of vehicle. Significant loss of brake fluid. Second incident approximately 5/15/2015, brakes became mushy loss of brake fluid. Rust caused pin hole leak in brake line at rear wheel brake cylinder. Third incident approximately 7/26/2015 significant loss of brake fluid. Cause yet undetermined
On august 14, 2014 the rear brake line rusted through and fluid was spilled onto the road. Fortunately I was leaving my home and only going about 10 MPH and there were no injuries. The s-10 has 65500 miles on it. It cost $700 to repair at the gm dealer. *tr in november 2013 the front brake line rusted through as I was leaving work and had to stop at traffic light. Once again I was fortunate that I was traveling in a school zone and only going 15 MPH when they gave out. It cost $1600 for the repairs. It has 58000 miles on it at the time. I can only image the danger associated with these brake failures as I travel in the nys thruway and long island expressway regularly at speeds of 65-70 MPH. I am fearful of the next rust through as the rear brakes lines were repaired not replaced.
Engine failure - had to be rebuilt at app. 75000 miles - both sides of cab bottom rear rusted out - first time brake failure 2013 - put brake on to put the truck in drive no brakes front right - aug 2014 brake failure - put brake on to put in drive no brakes.
A jeep with a bike mounted on a bike rack stopped quickly in front of me. I hit my brakes, but quickly lost braking effectiveness and the brake pedal went to the floor. I tried to swerve, but hit the rear of the jeep, damaging the bike and bike rack. Severe damage to my grille, drivers side front fender and headlight, and radiator mount. After exchanging insurance information, I noticed brake fluid on ground, by the fuel tank on drivers side. Limped home (about 2 blocks). No brakes other than emergency brake. Subsequent inspection revealed failed brake line and severe rust on most brake lines.
Went to slowdown to turn into a business and the brakes failed due to a center brake line blown that feeds the rear brakes.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- 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: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (ABS) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional.
- Risk
- The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.
Recall number 00V055000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles may have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic service brake normal, emergency, and park braking performance."
- Risk
- If this occurred, the seating seal could be broken during vehicle assembly, or from early road inputs or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur increasing the brake stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.
Recall number 99V220000 · 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
- Risk
- Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Recall number 97V218000 · 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
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
Questions about the Chevrolet S10 brake failure
Which Chevrolet S10 years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (143 complaints), 1995 (95 complaints) and 1996 (60 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the Chevrolet S10?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $800 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet S10?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history