EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1999 Chevrolet S10
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 231 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet S10, most frequently naming the interior & seats, brakes and body & structure categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 99 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2003 | 1 | 123 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 124 |
| Jul 2003 | 2 | 126 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 127 |
| Sep 2003 | 3 | 130 |
| Oct 2003 | 2 | 132 |
| Nov 2003 | 4 | 136 |
| Dec 2003 | 6 | 142 |
| Jan 2004 | 4 | 146 |
| Feb 2004 | 5 | 151 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 153 |
| Jun 2004 | 5 | 158 |
| Jul 2004 | 4 | 162 |
| Aug 2004 | 5 | 167 |
| Oct 2004 | 2 | 169 |
| Dec 2004 | 3 | 172 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 173 |
| Feb 2005 | 3 | 176 |
| Mar 2005 | 2 | 178 |
| Apr 2005 | 3 | 181 |
| May 2005 | 3 | 184 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 185 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 186 |
| Sep 2005 | 2 | 188 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 189 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 190 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 191 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 192 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 193 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 194 |
| Dec 2006 | 2 | 196 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 197 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 198 |
| Apr 2007 | 2 | 200 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 201 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 202 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 203 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 204 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 205 |
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 206 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 207 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 208 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 209 |
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 210 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 211 |
| Apr 2010 | 2 | 213 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 214 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 215 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 216 |
| Feb 2011 | 4 | 220 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 221 |
| Dec 2011 | 2 | 223 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 224 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 225 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 226 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 227 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 228 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 229 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 230 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 231 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Interior & seats3713.5%
- Brakes3512.7%
- Body & structure2810.2%
- Airbags279.8%
- Engine228.0%
- Transmission217.6%
- Electrical207.3%
- Tires & wheels114.0%
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
5 campaigns cover this model year
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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAK
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
ALLEGED THAT THE FUEL TANK MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PUNCTURE IN CERTAIN CRASH MODES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
MY TRUCK SLOWLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. FIRST, THE DINGING NOISE THAT YOUR CAR MAKES QHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR IF YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, MY TRUCK WOULD MAKE THIS SOUND WITH NO LIGHT ON OR KEY IN IGNITION CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THEN THE GAUGES STARTED ACTING CRAZY, COMPLETELY NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NOW MY TRUCK WILL NOT START, IT TURNS OVER BUT SOMETHING DOESN'T CATCH OR FIRE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE SPARK PLUGS ARE NEW.
- NHTSA ID
- 10953777
- Incident
- Feb 6, 2017
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
KEY IN LOCK HAVE TO MOVE IT BACK AND FRONT 7 TIMES TO GET IT IN START AND KEY COMES OUT IN START RUN ASS LOCK.. I SAW ON THE NEW THAT FROM 1997 TO 2015 BAD KEY SWITCHES. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10619171
- Incident
- May 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10594552
- Incident
- May 23, 2014
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
THE PROBLEM USUALLY APPEARS IN THE SUMMER, AND RARELY OCCURS DURING THE WINTER. IT STARTED BACK IN JUNE OF 2012, OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THEN STARTING IN JUNE OF 2013, IT BEGAN ACTING UP AN AVERAGE OF ONCE A WEEK UNTIL AUGUST. WHEN IT ACTS UP, I WILL BE DRIVING, AND THE TRUCK WILL BUCK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE NEEDLE ON THE TACH WILL JUMP UP AND DOWN, AND USUALLY SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF AND THE DOORS TRY TO UNLOCK. IT BASICALLY ACTS LIKE THE IGNITION IS TRYING TO SHUT OFF BUT GETS FLICKED BACK INTO THE ON POSITION. IT WILL USUALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF EPISODES WHERE IT WILL DO THIS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN RUN FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. WHEN IT DOES THIS, I USUALLY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SHUT IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHERE IT DIES IMMEDIATELY. WHEN IT DIES, I HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRY TO COAST UNTIL I CAN PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. IF I TRY TO RESTART IT WHILE IN NEUTRAL, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, WHICH COULD CAUSE ME TO VEER OFF THE ROAD, AND WHEN THE TRUCK IS OFF, THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 6 MECHANICS, AND NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER S-10 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE, AND IN LIGHT OF THE RECENTLY UNCOVERED ISSUES WITH GM IGNITION SWITCHES, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT MY ISSUE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10568211
- Incident
- Jun 22, 2012
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD FRACTURED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,620.
- NHTSA ID
- 10565676
- Incident
- Feb 20, 2014
- Mileage
- 60,620 mi
YES MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID SERVICE ENGINE SOON. SO I TOOK IT TO A MICHANIC AND HAD IT CHECKED AND IT CAME UP THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES IS THERE ANYTHING OR HELP I CAN GET TO REPLACE IT? *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10535021
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2013
- Mileage
- 66,000 mi
I WAS MOVING MY TRUCK AROUND IN MY DRIVE WAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND I HIT THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE IS THIS POORLY MADE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10461276
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2012
- Mileage
- 135,000 mi
THE STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (HAZARD) HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING CAUSING A CASCADE FAILURE TO BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS AND IGNITION. *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10456862
- Incident
- Apr 25, 2012
- Mileage
- 160,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 46.8 |
| 2003 | 178 | 4 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2002 | 213 | 3 | 2 | 59.6 |
| 2001 | 308 | 5 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 2000 | 471 | 9 | 3 | 64.5 |
| 1999Viewing | 231 | 5 | 3 | 63.5 |
| 1998 | 613 | 11 | 3 | 63.9 |
| 1997 | 469 | 8 | 4 | 65.2 |
| 1996 | 668 | 10 | 4 | 66.4 |
| 1995 | 911 | 8 | 6 | 68.8 |
| 1994 | 967 | 8 | 5 | 66.9 |
| 1993 | 233 | 6 | 5 | 69.3 |
| 1992 | 180 | 6 | 5 | 69.5 |
| 1991 | 174 | 9 | 7 | 68.1 |
| 1990 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 63.7 |
| 1989 | 48 | 5 | 5 | 64.0 |
| 1988 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 60.3 |
| 1987 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 61.5 |
| 1986 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 64.3 |
| 1985 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 69.7 |
| 1984 | 8 | 4 | 3 | — |
| 1983 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.