1999 Chevrolet S10 Owner Complaints

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

THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE TRUCK DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES IF SOMETHING ELSE FAILED. WHEN I WENT IN TO PAY THE TOWING CHARGE, A DIFFERENT SERVICE COUNTER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD INDEED WORK ON THE TRUCK BUT ONLY IF I AGREED TO REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES. TOTAL COST WAS ESTIMATED TO BE GREATER THAN $2500. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM FOR $473.77. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS BACKING THE TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER THE REPAIR, A SECTION OF BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION (SEE SEPARATE COMPLAINT.) *TR

NHTSA ID

10440285

Incident

Nov 1, 2011

Mileage

84,562 mi

A BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID THE LINE WAS CORRODED AND SPLICED IN A COMPRESSION FITTING AT A COST OF $222.50. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER FAILURES OF BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE SECOND FAILURE, I REPLACED ABOUT 10 FT OF BRAKE LINE MYSELF. THE 3RD BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS FIXING A BROKEN UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT HAD FAILED DUE TO (WOW) CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10440282

Incident

Jul 16, 2009

Mileage

79,945 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10 4WD CR2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE BRAKES EMITTED A LOUD NOISE WHEN THEY WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FRONT SPEED SENSOR LOW SIGNAL WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,276 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,326.

NHTSA ID

10421555

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

68,276 mi

THE RIMS ON THIS TRUCK ARE JUNK! MINE STARTED LEAKING AT 40,000 MILES 2ND SET OF TIRES. MINE AS WELL DID NOT SEE ANY SNOW FOR 4 YEARS. THE VERY 1ST YEAR IT SAW SNOW THE RIMS WERE DESTROYED. I HAVE TO PUT FIX A FLAT IN MY RIMS EVERY SO OFTEN WHICH IS MAKING THEM OUT OF BALANCE ALL THE TIME NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO IN THE SHOP TO BALANCE THEM. I TOO AM GETTING NICKELED AND DIMED TO DEATH WITH ALL SORTS OF FUNKY CHEAPLY MADE PARTS IN THIS TRUCK. THIS IS MY 4TH S-10, AND BY FAR THE WORST ONE I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10382986

Incident

Jan 31, 2004

Mileage

20,000 mi

ABS ON A SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD, CAUSED ACCIDENT. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP BUT THE ABS KEPT KICKING IN FOR NO REASON MAKING ME SLIDE RIGHT INTO THE GUY. TRUCK IS STILL DAMAGED, 2200$ WORTH OF REPAIRS NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10382982

Incident

Apr 10, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

NO EVENTS LEADING TO IT. JUST HAPPENS OUT OF THE BLUE WHEN USING IT. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. SEAT RECLINER LEVERS DEFECTIVE AND BREAK VERY EASY, THE PARTS THAT HOLD IT TOGETHER ARE CHEAP DIE CAST METAL. HAVEN'T BOTHERED REPLACING AS I CANNOT AFFORD, DEALER WONT REPLACE, JUNK YARDS DON'T HAVE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10382977

Incident

Mar 1, 2001

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR TAILGATE AND SUDDENLY THE CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TAILGATE CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10379875

Incident

Nov 8, 2004

Mileage

65,000 mi

1999 CHEVROLET S10. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER THE ORIGINAL FAILED. THE REPLACEMENT PART FAILED AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SECOND DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.*JB

NHTSA ID

10370156

Incident

Aug 9, 2007

1999 TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES COVER TORN AND BROKEN WITH CORROSION ON BOTH SIDES OF GATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10350147

Incident

Sep 7, 2009

Mileage

109,000 mi

DEFECTIVE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344704

Incident

Jul 21, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE BRAKE LINES SNAPPED CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED HE HAD EXPERIENCED BRAKE LEAKAGE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE RUST ISSUE WAS NOT BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 06/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10327711

Incident

Sep 8, 2008

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE REASON THERE IS SO MANY ACCIDENTS & DEATHS WITH CELL PHONE USE IS THE PHONE & AUTO MAKERS DON'T REALLY CARE. ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS HAVE THE CELL PHONE RECEIVE A SIGNAL FROM THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR TO INTERRUPT OR STOP THE INCOMING/OUTGOING CELL PHONE SIGNAL AS SOON AS THE WHEELS ON THE CAR MOVE. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AGAIN THE CELL PHONE SIGNAL RE-ACTIVATES. COME ON PEOPLE WITH THE ELECTRONIC WIZARDS WE HAVE TODAY THIS WOULD BE A SLAM DUNK.THE PHONE &CAR MAKERS MAY HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER DOLLAR OR 2,ON SAFETY BUT I THINK IT IS WORTH IT .THE "TEXTING AND TALKING VIOLATIONS WOULD DECREASE ALSO. I WILL BE SURPRISED IF THIS IS EVEN READ OR FORWARDED THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY CARE. ALL THEY CARE ABOUT TODAY IS $$$ . PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG". *TR

NHTSA ID

10326101

Incident

Apr 16, 2010

Mileage

61,000 mi

ALUMINUM WHEELS CORRODE CAUSING TIRES TO LEAK AIR. 60,000 MILES IN THE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WASN'T EVEN DRIVEN IN THE SNOW HERE IN MICHIGAN FOR THE 1ST 5 YEARS I HAD IT. TIRES LOSE ABOUT 10 LBS OF PRESSURE OVER A WEEKS TIME. *TR 4TH S-10 I'VE OWNED. THIS 1999 IS NICKEL AND DIMING ME TO DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281268

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

55,000 mi

IT'S A 99 S-10 V6 / 4.3LITER RARELY DRIVEN, 62,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. NO REAL EVENT LEADING TO THE PROBLEM. RIGHT NOW IT IS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CANNOT SEE WHERE THE LEAK IS DIRECTLY AS IT PICKS AND CHOOSES DAYS TO LEAK AND NOT LEAK. IT HASN'T OVERHEATED OR ANYTHING YET. IT STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR FLUID IN IT FROM WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I KEEP TELLING MY MECHANIC WE NEED TO FLUSH OR JUST CHANGE THE FLUID. FOR OVER 6 MONTHS HE KEEPS SAYING ITS FINE. IT DRIPS ONTO THE SKID PLATE UNDER THE ENGINE AND DRIPS FROM THERE. NEVER A HUGE PUDDLE JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE A 2 FOOT DIAMETER WET SPOT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET. MECHANIC SAYS TO PUT KARS RADIATOR STOP LEAK IN IT. I HAVE A LONG ROAD TRIP COMING UP IN 2 WEEKS AND AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT OF TOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10277231

Incident

Jun 20, 2009

Mileage

63,000 mi

WIPERS QUIT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10274983

Incident

Jul 24, 2008

THE BUSHING ON THE TOP HINGE-PIN ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAS LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED, THUS CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED THE HOLE FOR THE PIN TO BECOME OVAL OVER TIME. VARIOUS QUOTES FOR REPAIRS RUN FROM $180 TO $350 OR MORE, DEPENDING ON IF THE SHOP WILL WELD THE HOLE SHUT AND REDRILL A NEW HOLE. A NEW HINGE-PIN KIT WITH BUSHINGS COSTS ABOUT $6, BUT IT DOESN'T HELP ONCE THE HOLE HAS OVAL. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LIFTED TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY, THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE WITNESSED APPROXIMATELY 100R SO S-10 PICK-UPS AND BLAZERS IN MY AREA THAT ARE PRESENTLY USING ROPES OR BUNGEE CORDS TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. ONE GENTLEMAN AROUND TOWN ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY HOLDS THE DOOR BY HAND WHEN DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PRACTICE! CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO CAUSE A RECALL? WHAT IF IT HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND A YOUNG CHILD WITHOUT A SEATBELT WERE TO FALL OUT, WOULD THAT BE CAUSE FOR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10245756

Incident

Mar 10, 2003

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STALLING WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL INJECTION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,139.

NHTSA ID

10238402

Incident

Aug 4, 2008

Mileage

107,139 mi