Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While turning a corner the support bracket cable for the spare tire broke & the tire came loose. The support bracket then jammed into the ground, causing vehicle to flip over. Support bracket was not strong enough to support the tire. Driver was injured.
Consumer was driving at approximately 65 MPH when spare tire under vehicle came loose, and tire flew out from underneath truck, and flew over vehicle behind him. Spare tire came loose due to retainer clip that holds spare tire in place broke. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Spare tire carrier steel cable holding tire under truck broke. Allowing tire to drop onto the pavement. I had a keeper wire through the tire and attached to the frame of vehicule. Potential for serious accident is there for anyone that does not have what I had.
We can't remember the specifics of when the spare tire fell off. It happened last summer (1998) with about 85,000 miles on the vehicle. We are reporting it now in response to a news report that the NHTSA is currently investigating this particular defect.
The spare tire is mounted underneath the bottom rear end of the vehicle and is held by a cable that popped off, causing the tire to release while consumer was backing out of an parking space. Dealer has not been contacted.
The cable of the spare tire hoist parted and the spare tire fell from the vehicle. Other vehicles following me had to swerve to avoid the spare rolling down the street.
While driving the end of the cable that secures the spare tire under the vehicle broke, causing the tire to fall off. Please give any further details.
The cable under vehicle that holds spare tire in place broke, causing the spare tire to fall out from under the vehicle. Please provide any details.
The cable carrier on the spare tire cuts itself in half which allows the tire to fall off on the roadway. The dealer is not aware of the problem.
Consumer was driving vehicle approx. 55-60 MPH when spare tire carrier cable broke. The tire was released and bounced 10-15 feet in the air.
NHTSA investigations
Separation of spare tire from vehicle
Alleged that wire cable/winch assembly which holds the spare tire/wheel assembly uder the rear of the vehicle May fail, allowing the tire to fall from the vehicle while in motion
Spare tire separation from vehicle
Equipment complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 1995 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 1995 Chevrolet S10, 2% of the model year's 917 complaints. The component named most often is mechanical › carrier/rack (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Chevrolet S10 equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories recall for the 1995 Chevrolet S10, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to equipment & accessories problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.