Most common 1997 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 469 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 →
1997 Chevrolet S10 recalls (6)
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 › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: electric pickup trucks. A condition in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe.
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the ground strap attachment, inspect the brake pipe for wear, and replace the brake pipe if necessary.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Vehicle description: generation 1 electric light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles were built with a charge port assembly that could fail during a charging event.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the charge port assembly with a redesigned charge port assembly.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with electric drive. Rapid fogging of the interior glass can occur within two minutes after the heat is turned on if (1) the outside temperature is between 35 and 76 degrees fahrenheit and (2) water has collected on the heat exchanger during previous operation of the air…
Remedy: Owners are being provided with a caution label and supplemental insert for their owner's manual advising them to follow a "stop and wait" procedure to help avoid window fogging while driving.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1997 Chevrolet S10:
Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
On February 18, 2004, odi opened this recall query (rq) based on two fatality reports involving my 1997 GM s-10 pickup trucks.each report alleged that the belted driver occupant was ejected in a multiple-rotation rollover crash.the my 1997 s/t series pickups use an energy-absorbing loop in the driver seat belt that allows the webbing to elongate up to 10 inches (to mitigate driver injury in frontal crashes).GM also…
Seat belt webbing separation
On 9/9/96 NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) performed a 35 MPH barrier crash test with a 1997 Chevrolet s10 extended cab pickup.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
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 1997 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 117 →
.while driving home from work in a very heavy down pour windshield wipers failed. Consumer tried to get truck to slow down, kost control, and had oncoming traffic on a road with no yellow line. Vehicle went across road into a yard and backwards rough a car port into a car. Consumer was cited a sthe guilty party in the accident. Insuranc ecompany raised consumer's rate by $35 a month, and Chevrolet dealer refused to help him. Consumer maintained accident was not his fault.
Dt: the vehicle was in accident where it hit trees. On a rainy day in February as vehicle was going along at or below 55 MPH. Windshield wipers failed and did not work. Driver was unable to see out of the vehicle. Driver slammed on the brakes, vehicle hydro planed, and driver lost control. Caller unsure if the windshield wipers had failed before. Vehicle was regularly maintained. Upon leaving the road and upon impact driver sustained feet injuries.
Brakes all 101 →
I have read of a saftey recall on this vehical with the exact description of what happened to me, I should have had plenty of distance to stop, it's only a small pick up, I know for certian I have a fully loaded work truck a Ford 3/4 ton econoline van and I know I could have stopped that vehicle in time. I was standing on the brakes, they just wouldnt do anything , in an emergency they just don't cut the mustard. I had extensive front end damage, and my neek has been not feeling good ever since. My father in law gave this truck to my wife hen he was no longer able to drive, and it was told to me he had the truck into the shop repeatedly for the same thing since it was new. Seems to me GM should make it right and the body collision, beings they have known about it and havent done squat, and pay for my pain and medical.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet S10 pickup. While driving at speeds of 10 MPH and approaching a stop sign applying the brakes, the brake fluid abnormally leaked from the vehicle. He was able to slowly drive the vehicle to his residence and then to a local independent mechanic. The mechanic found the brakes lines were corroded. The brake lines were replaced and the brakes were bled. The contact believed NHTSA campaign id number: 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) to be directly related to the failure but was unable to confirm if his VIN was included with the recall. The failure mileage was 93,000 and the current mileage was 101,000. Updated 06/21/10 updated 06/24/10.
Transmission & drivetrain all 49 →
Around the end of the warranty period, my truck started shifting into "second" gear hard after driving at highway speeds. Toward the end of a 200 mile trip, the transmission failed and no longer has a "second" gear. The truck had 48,023 miles on it. I cannot determine for sure if the overdrive function is working, either. While failure did not cause an accident or personal injury, the potential was significant. This vehicle has only been used for personal transportation, not commercial purposes or hauling heavy loads. Repairs will be costly. My research indicates repeat failures for this transmission. I am the second owner. I bought the truck from my mother after my father passed away.
Bought truck in October and have recently been experiencing extremely hard shifting from first into second gear. This is also accompanied by the service engine soon light. I spoke with a transmission specialist about this and he said it is a very common problem with these GM transmissions, he suggested replacing the valve body which he said is clearly defective from the factory in my opinion GM should issue a recall on these transmissions. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis****760962
1997 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 | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 469 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 S10 rates use caution: 1.5× 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 1997 Chevrolet S10?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 117 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer › motor. Next are the brakes (101) and transmission & drivetrain (49).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1997 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 1997 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 28% 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.