Chevrolet S10 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet S10 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2006 drew the fewest (1) and the 1994 the most (967).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2004 | 21 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1990 | 29 | 2 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1989 | 48 | 2 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1991 | 174 | 6 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2003 | 178 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1992 | 180 | 3 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2002 | 214 | 0 | Structure | — | — |
| 1999 | 231 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1993 | 233 | 3 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2001 | 308 | 1 | Structure | — | — |
| 1997 | 469 | 6 | Visibility | — | — |
| 2000 | 471 | 4 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1998 | 613 | 6 | Visibility | — | — |
| 1996 Among the most complaints |
668 | 7 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1995 Among the most complaints |
911 | 5 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1994 Among the most complaints |
967 | 5 | Service brakes | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet S10 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1994 Chevrolet S10: 967 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 531 (55%); Visibility 241 (25%); Engine and engine cooling 66 (7%).
Reports mention 122 crashes, 8 fires, 53 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 86,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
1995 Chevrolet S10: 911 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 320 (35%); Visibility 207 (23%); Air bags 111 (12%).
Reports mention 178 crashes, 13 fires, 155 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 119,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Chevrolet S10: 668 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 220 (33%); Visibility 100 (15%); Air bags 74 (11%).
Reports mention 111 crashes, 12 fires, 55 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet S10 years with the fewest complaints
2006 Chevrolet S10: 1 complaints
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet S10 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2003 | 178 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 47,163 |
| 2002 | 214 | 17 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 49,000 |
| 2001 | 308 | 20 | 6 | 27 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2000 | 471 | 52 | 8 | 46 | 3 | 60,300 |
| 1999 | 231 | 33 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 1998 | 613 | 61 | 9 | 40 | 0 | 71,250 |
| 1997 | 469 | 63 | 8 | 38 | 3 | 83,000 |
| 1996 | 668 | 111 | 12 | 55 | 1 | 79,000 |
| 1995 | 911 | 178 | 13 | 155 | 1 | 119,000 |
| 1994 | 967 | 122 | 8 | 53 | 1 | 86,000 |
| 1993 | 233 | 36 | 11 | 34 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 180 | 25 | 8 | 13 | 1 | — |
| 1991 | 174 | 18 | 10 | 84 | 2 | — |
| 1990 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 48 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet S10 recalls
- BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SHOE AND DRUM WHEEL CYLINDERS (1982 model year; 1,810,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1985; 85V048000)
- GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (1996–1997 model years; 1,755,876 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2003; 03V159000)
- GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING (1995–1996 model years; 1,557,585 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1998; 98V150001)
- GM/ABS (1991–1996 model years; 1,125,749 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1999; 99V193000)
- GM/SAFETY BELT WEBBING (1994–1997 model years; 586,058 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1997; 97V096001)
All 33 Chevrolet S10 recall campaigns · Chevrolet S10 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet S10 years FAQ
Which Chevrolet S10 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2006 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet S10 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1994, 1995 and 1996 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet S10 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (1,854 of 5,721 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet S10. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet S10 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.