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 1998 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
When it rains only the left brake works and it throws the truck to the left off the road. The g.m. Corp lied and said there was no problems, but the brake problem still exsit. G.m. Refused to give me a report of there findings, they said that it was g.m. Property, and they did not work on it they just inspected it, but affter haveing another machanic take a look at it he found where g.m. Had worked on it. It is worse now then it was. I have been lied to by the dealership and g.m. On more than one occation. The problem still exsit and is getting worse every day.
Original owner 1998 S10 Chevrolet , low mileage ... Had to make hard stop when cut off on hwy ...brake pedal went to floor .... No braking ...drove to side of road brake fluid leaking severely...... Took the vehicle to repair facility.... Brake line had burst due to corrosion .... Resulting in replacement of 3/4 of brake lines,,..rear brake drums corroded through ( the face had through & through corrosion )...the brake shoes had little wear.........repair cost 735 dollars , brake lines & drums .....
Consumer had vehicle parked outside of her home and she was hearing a noise. She had her husband listen to it. They took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic took wheels off and noticed that rivit groves wore into the stator. When they had to replace brakes pads and shoes, they had to remachine the stator to remove the groves. The destruction of the front disk brake pads groved the front wheel stator causing the front wheel to pull to the right.
The emergency brake pedal assembly failed without warning. As a result the vehicle begin to roll. The dealer states the plastic flange on the left of the ratchet tensioning spring spool broke, which jammed the brake mechanism. When the consumer applied the brake while stopped, it would not set and the vehicle rolled back.
Anti-lock brakes are activating unnecessarily . GM has a recall for 1999-2002 vehicles for same problem caused by corrosion in wheel sensor. Saw the recall in newspaper. I bought this vehicle at auction. Originally was used by vermont department of transportation, apparently it has the same defect as the 1999-2002 vehicles.
Brakes were applied when other vehicle suddenly cut in front of driver and then abruptly applied brakes.brakes failed to respond.driver swerved to avoid rear end collision.vehicle began to skid, striking a concrete pole.at no time did the brakes ever stop the vehicle.the vehicle only stopped after striking the concrete pole.
Dt: the anti-lock braking system is activating prematurely with speeds under 15mph. The brakes are making a humming noise, and doesn't stop at all. This problem has gone on for 5 months. The consumer had the ABS sensor replaced on the front at a private mechanic shop, two years ago. The vehicle is a four drive .
Recall 97v21800; when traveling 30 MPH and upon making a sudden stop brake pedal went to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in an accident. Consumer contacted dealer, and dealer has replaced parts. But, problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.
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 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.
Brake complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 13% of the model year's 613 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet S10 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-159 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 16, 2000); NHTSA recall 97V-218 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 24, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet S10 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.