Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
...for 3 years Chevrolet dealers told me there was nothing wrong with ABS. Then in 2000, received recall notice labeled campaign #c99046. On 03/28/2000 took vehicle into dealership. Bill states reprogram PCM for new antilock program ...called Chevrolet customer assistance center today, because brakes failed today the same way they did before repair in 2000. ...I explained the S10 had been brought into dealership on 03/28/2000, as soon as I received recall notice, and that it appeared replacement was defective. ...I was advised that campaign ended 12/2002. When I reiterated that I had work done within parameters of campaign,but now same problem had reoccurred, I was advised it didn't matter, the campaign ended 12/2002. ...when I sarcastically said, so if I kill someone on way to dealership tomorrow because of ABS failure, you're not responsible? …
Spare tire fell off the truck on driveway. Contacted dealer and informed them of the problem, I was informed that this had happened to 3 or 4 other truck's. I was told to hang on the phone while they checked for availability of the tire winch, and told that the part would cost me around $48,00 and that it was available. I contacted the area service rep.I informed him of my concern, as I stated to him what would have happen if the tire had fallen of the truck when or if I was on the highway doing 73 miles per hr. ? Could it have cought the rear bumper and flip my truck. Or if it had missed me how about some one following at the same speed. I also told him that I was very concerned about being on the highway following bihind a Chevy s-10. I think this is a very legitemate concern due to the poor manufacture / design of of this item. …
Spare tire hoist cable fatigued near wheel retainer and tire fell from vehicle; theft deterrent cable kept tire from falling completely away and caused tire to lift the rear end of my truck. There is no apparent damage other than a bent rear license plate. I fear that this May happen to someone at highway speeds causing loss of control or if theft deterrent cable is not in place the tire May fall from underneath the vehicle and strike another vehicle or cause a road hazard. I was fortunate to be a few hundred feet from my home when this happened. The cable appeared to be fatigued at the point where the break occured. Please contact me to assure that this information is processed. Thank you.
When entering my driveway at a very slow speed the cable supporting the spare tire broke and the tire dropped and wedged itself between the bottom of the truck, the rear bumper and the road causing the rear ties of my truck to be lifted from the road. The cable was sheared in such fashon as to indicate vibration caused it to break. Has this happened at any normal driving speed the tire and wheel would have become potentially deadly projectiles and the I am sure the truck would have turned over. I want a better mousetrap under my truck and will not put this back without a lock and chain as a second line of security.
Pe99004, the original spare tire wire broke(15,000 miles), causing the spare tire to fall behind the truck this could have caused a crash, but there was a cable lock that broke the fall to the street. Dealer replaced the wire, at 30,000 miles the replaced wire broke, the tire fell but never hit the street because of the lock. Dealer could not determine the cause.
While driving heard a noise and looked through rearview mirror and saw spare tire hit the ground and bounced over the guardrail and into the savannah river. This is the original spare tire never been used. Took the vehicle to local tire vendor and was told that the cable had broken.
Power brake booster malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance and May resultin a crash. Also spare tire fell out which May have cause a crash/ problems with grill falling out, and passenger's seatbelt tightens while in use. Please provide further information.
When I apply the brakes, there are occasions when it feels like they release! And I do not have the ability to stop. Because of this I have narrowly missed other cars, and have had to use curbs to stop. This has happened on more occasions than the one listed below.
Failure of the master cylinder due to a poor finish on the brake system, consumer brake pedal went to the floor, causing the consumer to have a near accident. Also radio goes out when vehicle goes over bumps, also grill is peeling.
Spare tire carrier malfunctioned and tire came off from under truck at 55 MPH and nearly caused accident. Windshield wipers do not work sometimes. Antilock brakes lock up, especially when road surface is wet.
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 1996 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 3% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is mechanical › carrier/rack (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet S10 equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories recall for the 1996 Chevrolet S10, though it has 7 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.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet S10 equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 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.