RoadVitals

1988 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.
37
Latest Jun 25, 2003
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.
1
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.
7
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 37 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet S10, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 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

  • Engine614.0%
  • Brakes614.0%
  • Fuel system511.6%
  • Electrical49.3%
  • Seat belts49.3%
  • Steering37.0%
  • Tires & wheels37.0%
  • Body & structure37.0%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 37
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 25, 2003

THE SIDEWALL OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE IS SPLITTING IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ON 6/24/2003. THE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON THEM. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024896
Incident
Jun 24, 2003
Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2001

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
751120
Incident
Mar 18, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 2, 2000

THE FIRESTONE SUPREME WAS THE TIRE THE 1988 S10 BLAZER ORIGINALLY CAME WITH. THIS ONE WE USED AS THE SPARE, REPLACING ONLY THE FOUR REGULAR TIRES WHEN NEEDED. WE PUT THE SPARE ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE CURRENT SET ARE CLOSE TO REPLACEMENT AND THE TREAD ON ONE WAS LOW. THIS FIRESTONE SUPREME HAD ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON IT THOUGH 12 YEARS OLD. IT FAILED BY TREAD SEPARATION, VERY MUCH LIKE HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR THE RECALLED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY (20MPH) AND LITTLE DAMAGE RESULTED. I SUSPECT OTHERS MAY HAVE KEPT THEIR FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE AND SHOULD BE WARNED OF THE FAILURE, POSSIBLE DUE TO AGING. (DOT NUMBER: W2UL BER TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)

NHTSA ID
733196
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 1, 2000
Fire reported

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

NHTSA ID
554256
Incident
Jul 14, 2000
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND FUEL PUMP 2 DAYS LATER CONSUMER NOTICED A RATTLING AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICE, PULLED OVER, EXITED VEHICLE AND SAW FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED RADIATOR FLUID POURING ONTO THE GROUND, POSSIBBLE ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA ID
554225
Incident
Jun 26, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 14, 1999

NY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY AND THE HOOD FLEW UP ON HER, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO BREAK. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT INJURED BUT SHE IS IN NEED OF VEHICLE REPAIRS. SHE ONLY CARRIES LIABILITY INSURANCE ON HER VEHICLE. SHE IS ONLY 19 YEAR OLD . IT SEEMS THERE MAY HAVE OR THERE WAS A FAULTY LATCH/SAFETLY LATCH WHICH CAUSED THIS EVENT TO HAPPEN TO HER. *AK

NHTSA ID
716057
Incident
Dec 10, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Nov 22, 1999

HINGES ARE VERY LIGHT WEIGHT AND METAL THAT THEY ARE WELDED ON IS VERY LIGHT WEIGHT ALSO. DOOR REFUSES TO CLOSE, IT HAS NOW FALLEN OFF. DEALER SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, AND TO BRING CAR IN A BUY A KIT FOR 115.00 PER DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
853219
Incident
Nov 22, 1998
Visibility
Filed Sep 7, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
711047
Incident
Aug 8, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT

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
1988Viewing374160.3
1987275461.5
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.