RoadVitals

1987 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.
27
Latest Aug 7, 2005
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.
5
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.
4
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet S10, most frequently naming the seat belts, fuel system and body & structure categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 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 belts717.5%
  • Fuel system410.0%
  • Body & structure410.0%
  • Brakes410.0%
  • Engine410.0%
  • Interior & seats37.5%
  • Driver assistance37.5%
  • Powertrain (other)37.5%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
PE88002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT

Opened Oct 9, 1987
Closed Apr 22, 1988

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME 1987 GMC S/T MODEL TRUCKS MAYEXPERIENCE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUPPORT BRACE. THISCONDITION CAN IN TURN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERINGPUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND/OR LOSS OF THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY DRIVEBELT. LOSS OF THE DRIVE BELT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF A/C, GENERATOR,POWER STEERING ASSIST AND WATER PUMP OPERATION.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE NO REPORTS IN THE ODI LETTER FILE REGARDING THISPROBLEM.ALTHOUGH G.M. HAS 153 COMPLAINTS, MOST OFWHICH ARE WARRANTY CLAIMS, ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THATWERE ALLEGDLY CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE P/S SYSTEM. P/S ASSIST FAILURESHOULD NOT NEGATE STEERING CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN APPRECIABLEINCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT.======

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 27
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 7, 2005

ON 8-06-2005 WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 M.P.H. ON COUNTY ROAD JB IN RACINE COUNTY THE FRONT DRIVERS TIRE SEPARATED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER,INNER FENDER,RIPPED THE BOLT OUT,RIPPED OUT THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT, AND DAMAGE DRIVERS ROCKER PANEL. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER FRONT TIRES ARE ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPARATION. THESE ARE FIRESTONE P205/75R15 TIRES, DOTW201838. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME ON THE DAMAGED TIRE. SINCE THIS JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP I HAVE TAKEN IN REPORTING THIS INCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10131827
Incident
Aug 6, 2005
Mileage
83,395 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 21, 2001
Crash reported

BACKING OUT AND WAS TURNING THE WHEEL. SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, AND ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR. RPM'S WERE UP. TOOK OFF. WAS OUT OF CONTROL, AND WAS SPINNING SEVERAL TIMES. THEN, HIT A SNOW MOBILE TRAILER WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE FROM SPINNING. PEDAL WAS IN NORMAL POSITION. FOOT WAS NOT ON BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHCLE OUT OF COMMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
881015
Incident
Jan 27, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2001

MOUNTING BRACKET TO ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, AND IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER . THIS SEEMED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. DEALER DIDN'T SEE IT AS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
878924
Incident
Feb 5, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 25, 2000

PE-00-020; P215/75R15, WIDE WHITEWALL TIRES; 1 OUT OF 4 TIRES WAS REPLACED, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN DRIVING THAT VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING IN THE FRONT END, NOTICE BUMPS ON THE TIRES CONTACTED A TIRE COMPANY, INSPECTOR NOTICED THAT TREAD WAS SEPARATING. *AK A TOTAL OF 5 TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. DOT #'S VDHEF7U192 & EJR103M066. *SLC

NHTSA ID
868718
Incident
Feb 3, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 2000

UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP ON WET PAVEMENT, FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE REAR BRAKES CONTINUED WITH FORWARD MOVEMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID, AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
863684
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 7, 2000
1 injury reported

WHILE CONSUMER'S SON WAS WASHING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS SHATTERED, CAUSING SEVERE CUTS TO SON'S HAND AND FACE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
863219
Incident
Jun 6, 2000
Body & structureBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed May 26, 1999

ECM, MANIFOLD, AXLE, WINDSHIELD, BOOT LEAK, BRAKE VALVE, DOOR HANDLE, MIRROR

NHTSA ID
541789
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Feb 26, 1999

HOW LONG SHOULD SEAT BELTS LAST?

NHTSA ID
703783
Incident
May 29, 1992

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
1987Viewing275461.5
1986224364.3
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.