1988 Chevrolet S10 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Chevrolet S10, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine614.0%
- Brakes614.0%
- Fuel system511.6%
- Electrical49.3%
- Seat belts49.3%
- Steering37.0%
- Tires & wheels37.0%
- Body & structure37.0%
- Visibility24.7%
- Interior & seats24.7%
- Powertrain (other)12.3%
- Other / unspecified12.3%
- Driver assistance12.3%
- Transmission12.3%
- Heating & air conditioning12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. *AK
GOT STUCK IN SNOW IN DRIVEWAY. GOING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE CAUSED EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF FRONT A FRAMES. UPON PULLING INTO GARAGE SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ONTO FLOOR DUE TO A BROKEN BRAKE HOSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
GAS TANK RUSTED DUE TO PLASTIC SHIELD INSTALLED AROUND TANK CAUSING WATER TO BUILD UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
STARTER FAILED/REPLACED 4 TIMES, ALSO THROTTLE STUCK/ENGINE VALVES OVERHEATED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS GET CAUGHT IN THE BACK SEA TLATCH, ANSD IT IS TEARING THEM TO SHREDS ON SPOT.
THE RETRACTOR OF THE SHOULDER BELT ON BOTH FRONT SEATS DOES NOT LOCK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE IN TWO DIFFERENT PIECES; ALSO SERPENTINE BELT AND A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *AK
WHEELS: DRIVING HOME FROM APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THREE WEEKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT AXLE AND SPINDLE HAD WORN OUT, CAUSING CONNECTOR CLIP TO FAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF THE PAINT HAS PEELED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO ON WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN AND REPORTED PROBLEM ON CHEVY TRUCKS AND S10 MODELS FOR OTHER YEARS BACK TO 1993 BUT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND WANT THE RECALL EXTENDED BACK TO COVER MY VEHICLE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND HIS HEAD HIT REAR WINDSHIELD. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEELS: DRIVING HOME FROM APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THREE WEEKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT AXLE AND SPINDLE HAD WORN OUT, CAUSING CONNECTOR CLIP TO FAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEELS: DRIVING HOME FROM APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THIS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THREE WEEKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT AXLE AND SPINDLE HAD WORN OUT, CAUSING CONNECTOR CLIP TO FAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL WHEN INITIALLY SET WILL ACCELERATE RAPIDLY UNTIL DISENGAGED BY BRAKE OR OFF SWITCH ON CRUISE CONTROL, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE MANUFACUTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE IN TWO DIFFERENT PIECES; ALSO SERPENTINE BELT AND A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .