Most common 1996 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 670 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet S10 complaints by model year
Best S10 years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →
1996 Chevrolet S10 recalls (7)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from September 1989 through August 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line,…
Seat belts
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Visibility › Windshield
The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
Remedy: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Manual transmission
Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to GM's specifications.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1996 Chevrolet S10:
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
Seat belt webbing separation
NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 Chevrolet s-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
What 1996 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Brakes all 223 →
I was involved in a traffic collision in which my brakes failed to stop my vehicle. When I pressed the brakes during a sudden stop, the brakes started to slow down my truck but then the pedal went all the way down to the floor with a rubbing noise and my truck kept traveling until I hit the vehicle in front of me.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet S10. While driving 35 MPH, the ABS malfunctioned. The contact stated that the ABS engaged independently, and pulled the vehicle to the left. Furthermore, the vehicle lost brake functionality completely. Gilcrest Chevrolet Buick GMC in tacoma, washington was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the brakes had been serviced by the dealer prior to this failure, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The contact cited NHTSA campaign number: 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,160.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 99 →
There is an intermittent short in the wiper control/ motor system that each time I reported it to the Chevy dealers in this area was told that they could not find a problem . And that there were not any other reports of this kind. As I can see from the NHTSA website this is patently untrue. Since my vehicle is currently past warranty due to your agents stalling tactics , if this letter does not bring redress to this issue I will be forced to turn this issue over to my attorneys. Sincerely [redacted].
Recall on wiper motor on 1996 Chevrolet s-10 pickup was done in the early 90's. Whenever it rains now, wipers don't turn off right away. I had the same problem before I had recall done, and was OK until just recently.
Air bags all 74 →
Dt: the consumer stated 1996 Chevrolet s-10 was involved in a crash. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. The truck was hit by a tractor trailer. Driver sustained severe injuries, including whiplash, a swollen head, cut and scraps, facial abrasions, and injuries to the chest/legs/stomach and a black eye. The seat belts did contain the driver to the seat. The driver had marks on the stomach left from the seat belt. But, the seat belts on the driver saved him from falling out of the vehicle. The driver hit the steering wheel with his face on the left side. The back window was shattered and front window busted, and the door came open. . The consumer was taken to an urgent care facility. The security and safety for consumer's company took care of the accident, and did not call the police. The company prepaired a report and had pictures.
I was driving a Chevy s-10 when a lady pulled in front of me. I was doing the speed limit of about 55-60 MPH. I ended up hitting her car and in turn my truck rolled over several (6-10) times. The whole truck from bumper to bumper and side to side and top to bottom was destroyed. The truck was totaled. The seatbelt did its job but no airbag came out. I bought the truck used from a local car dealer here in concord 2 years ago. I am very bruised and cut and very upset that just maybe if that airbag had worked I would not have gotten all that glass along with everything else flying my way. I know that an airbag works when it is hit just right, but as I stated there is no part on that truck that was not hit including the front bumper as it is almost off the truck. The insurance company is taking control of the truck as we speak but there are numerous pictures and witnesses to this. …
1996 Chevrolet S10 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 670 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 S10 rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the S10 at the same age. It is one of the S10 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet S10?
The brakes — 223 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (99) and air bags (74).
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet S10 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet S10, the most recent from April 28, 2003 (windshield wiper/washer). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet S10?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet S10 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.