RoadVitals

1986 Chevrolet S10

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Sep 27, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Aug 11, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet S10, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and interior & seats categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts728.0%
  • Brakes312.0%
  • Interior & seats312.0%
  • Tires & wheels28.0%
  • Visibility28.0%
  • Fuel system28.0%
  • Suspension14.0%
  • Transmission14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE90039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

Opened Feb 5, 1990
Closed Jun 29, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
EA89003ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR AXLE SHAFT

Opened Nov 7, 1988
Closed Aug 24, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
PE88047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE FAILURE

Opened Apr 19, 1988
Closed Nov 7, 1988

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 22
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 27, 2001

THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH EITHER STAY ON AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BULBS OUT FOR THEM TO NOT LIGHT. ALSO ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH FLICKER WHENEVER YOU STOP OR EXCILLERATE. YOU PUSH IN THE LIGHTER YOU LOSE THE RADIO AND EVERYTHING ON THAT FUSE. HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE BEFORE BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK.*AK

NHTSA ID
752656
Suspension
Filed Mar 7, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SAHKE AND VIBRATES.*AK

NHTSA ID
882363
Incident
Dec 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 20, 2000

THE TREAD OF THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE CASING AND CAME THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE (DEFIANCE CENTENNIAL). NLM

NHTSA ID
556768
Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2000

STEERING LINKAGE HAS VERY BAD SQUEAKING PROBLEM. I HAD BEEN INFORMED BY AN INDIVIDUAL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1986 S10 BLAZERS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I JUST WANTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY TRUTH TO IT. IT HAS BEEN SQUEAKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE ABOUT 10/21/99. IF YOU HAVE NO INFO, CAN YOU DIRECT ME WHERE I COULD CONTACT SOMEONE WHO MAY? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
729462
Incident
Oct 21, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 12, 2000

THE TREAD ON THREE OF THESE TIRES HAVE SHREDDED IN THE LAST 6 YRS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/75R15 )

NHTSA ID
727688
Seat belts
Filed Jan 28, 2000
Crash reported

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT 55 MPHIN WHICH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SNAPPED INTO TWO. NO INJURIES WAS REPORTED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTRACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
855751
Incident
Jan 25, 2000
Electrical
Filed May 28, 1999

THE ADL LINK SAYS EVERYTHING IS OKAY, BUT WHEN I AM DRIVING THIS THING THE MIL BLINKS ON AND OFF SHUTTING ALL POWER OFF TO THE IGNITION, HEADLIGHTS, TURN& TAIL LGHTS, FUEL PUMP. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS STILL WORKING BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DECEASED.

NHTSA ID
706962
Incident
May 6, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Dec 7, 1998

I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT. MY SEATBELTS JUST WON'T RETRACT. I DON'T FEEL AT ALL SAFE!!

NHTSA ID
701181

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

GM161514

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

GM561204

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW

9310A343

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

FRONT DOOR SIDE GLASS BINDING/TRACK DISENGAGEMENT. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet S10 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018300—
2017100—
2016100—
2007010—
2006110—
2005010—
2004213046.8
20031784051.0
20022133259.6
20013085361.9
20004719364.5
19992315363.5
199861311363.9
19974698465.2
199666810466.4
19959118668.8
19949678566.9
19932336569.3
19921806569.5
19911749768.1
1990295463.7
1989485564.0
1988374160.3
1987275461.5
1986Viewing224364.3
1985113369.7
1984843—
1983743—
1982251—
1981100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.