Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Occasionally about 5 or 6 times and counting when initially applying the brake at either 45mph or 10 MPH my 1997 Chevy S10 vehicle starts to accelerate with my foot off the gas and cruise control off at what appeared to be full speed/throttle. My first reaction was to brake even harder, but then the antilock brakes kicked in and seemed to reduce the stopping force by not letting the wheels lock. The vehicle continued to accelerate until I placed the car in neutral and then the vehicle stopped and also stopped accelerating.
The number of failures is an approximate number because the brakes have given me problems from the day after I brought the truck home until the day my husband wrecked. The approximate dollar amount of damage is yet to be determined, however both vehicles in the accident will probably be totaled. I had the truck in the dealership many times and was always told there was nothing wrong with my brakes. Once they rebuilt my master cylinder just to saisfy me, although it did not fix the problem.
Took my 1997 S10 pickup to a mechanic and requested he check the brakes. The brake pedal faults when continueing to apply pressure and begins to make a bouncing type of feeling and the distance to stop (especially on wet roads) cannot be determined. This is a dangerous problem. The mechanic stated that the ABS were faulty and to contact a dealer and have the VIN researched for recalls, etc. Also referred me to NHTSA.
Severely corroded brake lines, lines blew. Near miss accident. This is a common complaint across mfrs. . Well maintained cars with severely corroded fuel and brake lines. I bet it can be traced to a cheap supplier that supplied the big 3 for a period of years. No corrosion resistance on the steel. Can't blame this on ne winter salt. My OEM 1964 looks better than my late model vehicles.
The brake line on my 1997 Chevy s-10 burst leading to total loss of braking capability ...luckily there was no accident ... An emergency repair at a nearby station cost me $800 ... They replaced only one side of braking system (the side that burst) ... I tried to contact Chevy to get them to repair the other side (that will likely burst) and they said "no" - not covered.
There are 8 safety recalls on the Chevy S10.1997.the companys state my vehicle is not on the list of these recalls.but my vehicles has all of these defects.and ive been very lucky I have not been in an accident yet due to these issues.ive been very lucky.but peoples luck always runs out.I cant afford another vehicle and its breaking me financially by fixing this one.
Consumer stated the built-in wear indicators never made a high-pitched warning sound to indicate brake failure. However, there was a loud grinding noise coming from the left front tire and was also heard when coming to a stop. Rotors, disc, wheel cylinder and brake pads had to be replaced.
Brakes: the front brakes will lock up at slow speeds, particularly if the vehicle has set idle for a few days. This has been a continuous problem for the last 4 years. Additionally, the anti-lock brakes will sometimes engage, allowing the vehicle to continue, with no means of stopping.
Related recalls
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.
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,…
NHTSA investigations
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Brake complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Chevrolet S10, 22% of the model year's 469 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (64 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet S10 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-159 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 16, 2000); NHTSA recall 97V146001 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 11, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet S10 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes 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.