Most common 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 613 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 →
1998 Chevrolet S10 recalls (6)
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Vehicle description: electric passenger vehicles and pickup trucks containing a nickel metal hydride (nimh) battery pack. These vehicles contain software within the battery pack module intended to disable the vehicle from being driven if the electrical resistance with the battery pack exceeds a prescribed value.
Remedy: Dealers will install revised software in the battery pack module.
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the daytime running lights built with a candela value greater than 3,000 cannot be mounted higher than 864mm above the road…
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness that changes the drl's from high beam to low beam drl's, and install new long-life low beam bulbs.
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.
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.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose vehicles. An engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Remedy: Dealers are contacting owners by telephone to have their vehicles towed to the dealer and alternate transportation provided to them until the dealer can reroute the electrical wiring-harness.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1998 Chevrolet S10:
Tailgate support cable(s) break
Odi is upgrading rq04-012 and opening an ea to investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998 - 2004 model year sonoma and s10 model vehicles.general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v-129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000-2004 sierras and silverados and certain model year 2002-2004 avalanches and escalade exts (c/k models).general motors has…
Post collision fuel system integrity
Allege that in certain side impact crashes, the subject fuel tanks May contact the prop shaft rear universal joint components with sufficient force to puncture the tank.
Tailgate support cables
General motors is conducting a special policy program for 903,464 owners of 2000 - 2003 model s/t vehicles through which owners May, at their option, either (1) periodically inspect the tailgate support cables installed in their vehicle and have the cables replaced if the cable coating exhibits any indications of damage or deterioration or (2) request that the tailgate support cables be replaced free of charge.
What 1998 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 199 →
I just bought the truck used and sometimes the windshield wipers will work and sometimes they will not come on at all. It does this whether it is stationary, in motion, on a city street or a highway, turning, braking, hot or cold weather, etc. It is unsafe when it is raining because the wipers do not clear the windshield of rain, snow, sleet, water from other vehicles on the road passing or ahead of you or sleet. You cannot see clearly where you are driving. I was told by a friend they had a recall on the 1997 wiper motor on his S10 truck. Thought this might be the same problem. The two owners before me had the same problem with it. I am not sure who the orginal owner is or was.
My wipers quit whenever they feel like it, especially in a pouring rain, or they will not come on at all! There is also a problem with them not going off when turned off. I hit a deer because the wipers would not turn off after using the window washer to clean my window in my garage. After many attempts to turn them off, I proceeded to drive the 20 miles to my job site. On the way, I hit a deer. It could have been much worse, the oncoming pickup could have been what I hit. Please, this is a very dangerous situation! After reading 21 pages of complaints about the same thing, I would think that someone would take this as a serious subject.
Brakes all 77 →
I backed out of my driveway. Began slowly traveling down the hill that I live on. The brakes completely failed. The brake warning light was not on prior to this occuring. The engine also stalled. I had no way to slow or stop safely, as the parking brake cable was rusted and did not work. I made it to the bottom of the hill. Ended up driving off of a small embankment causing damage to the front bumper and other external areas in the front. The hood and driver side door are no longer sealing very good. A repair shop had to replace much of the brake lines due to failure caused by rust. The mechanic also found fuel line damage due to rust and replace them as well. I could have easily been injured or died that day, or have caused injury or death. Why has Chevrolet not been required correct these problems?
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet S10. While driving at approximately 40 MPH pressure was applied to the brake pedal and it depressed all the way to the floor. The vehicle coasted to a stop and she pulled over. She was able to drive the vehicle home but it has not been taken to be examined for the cause of failure and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and she was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 97V218000, service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. The failure and current mileages were 161,000.
Engine & cooling all 52 →
Automatic transmission cooler broke while driving and contaminated other components within the engine compartment. This made driving and gear changing difficult. Dealership will replace all contaminated components. The "service engine soon" light illuminated so the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. The consumer had the radiator flushed at 550 miles and the engine continued to run rough. On one occasion, the consumer started the engine and it lunged forward almost knocking him to the driveway. The service manager agreed that the radiator May be defective. The battery was replaced, the instrument panel cluster was replaced because it had shorted out.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet S10. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 01/09/15 updated 06/2/2015
1998 Chevrolet S10 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | 2WD | 52 / 58 / 55 MPGe | 33 mi |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 26 / 22 | — |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 | — |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 | — |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 | — |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 | — |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 | — |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 613 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 S10 rates avoid: 2.0× 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 1998 Chevrolet S10?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 199 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer › motor. Next are the brakes (77) and engine & cooling (52).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet S10, the most recent from November 13, 2000 (12v/24v/48v battery). 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 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 25% 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.