Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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.
Windshield wiper sporadically fails to function. When wiper control is switched on wiper will sometimes function and sometimes not function. This is very hazardous in rainy conditions and has almost caused me to collide with other vehicles on more than one occasion. I have absolutely no confidence that my wiper will work for any period of time. This defect very closely resembles and recall notice sent out to owners of 95-97 Chevrolet s-10 owners in which they offer to repair the defect at no charge. Since my vehicle was labeled as a 98 model year Chevrolet they will not do nothing for me in spite of the fact that it could have just as easily been labeled a 97 model. I have filed a complaint with GM at 1800-222-1020 (my service request number 1-120539042). …
Windshield wipers work only intermittently or not at all. Problem is exacerbated by bumpy roads. Online research shows this is apparently a common problem related to cracked solder joints on the wiper control circuit board, a problem for which two recalls have already been issued by Chevrolet but which do not extend to the 1998 model year. Wipers will often shut off unexpectedly while driving in heavy rain. Obviously, this is a serious safety issue and the previous recalls that only cover up to 1997 need to be extended to cover later model vehicles which suffer from the same safety problem. (the incident date in this complaint is a random date selected shortly after I purchased the vehicle and around the time I first noticed the problem. This issue is ongoing and has become increasingly severe since then.)
Windshield wipers work only intermittently or not at all. Problem is exacerbated by bumpy roads. Online research shows this is apparently a common problem related to cracked solder joints on the wiper control circuit board, a problem for which two recalls have already been issued by Chevrolet but which do not extend to the 1998 model year. Wipers will often shut off unexpectedly while driving in heavy rain. Obviously, this is a serious safety issue and the previous recalls that only cover up to 1997 need to be extended to cover later model vehicles which suffer from the same safety problem. (the incident date in this complaint is a random date selected shortly after I purchased the vehicle and around the time I first noticed the problem. This issue is ongoing and has become increasingly severe since then.)
Re: NHTSA campaign # 98v50001 & 97V096001 " windshield wipe failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. Unit failed on my 1998 chev s-10 VIN [VIN]. GM 1st agreed to replace at no cost. Upon dealership confirmation of problem, GM change to position of not responsible. This is a continuing problems with the units according to service manager. GM takes the position that vehicle in not part of any recall. The part involved is the same as on the 1996 vehicles. I replace unit a my expense, dealership did not charge labor. The defect came to my attention when wipers failed and then came to life after touching circuit board housing. The above NHTSA recalls need to be extended to all GM s-10 pickups as well as other vehicles.
When activated, windshield wipers operate erratically and May shut off without warning. The erratic behavior happens throughout the year but appears worse (especially shutting off unexpectedly) in warm weather. Recently I have found that turning the wipers to high will usually restart them after they shut off. Erratic behavior during intermittent operation includes multiple wipes (sometimes more than 10) per cycle. This problem has been present for approximately the last 30,000 miles (I am currently at 72,500). I am estimating the incident date below around the first time I noticed the problem. The date is accurate +/- 6 months. I have not yet contacted the dealer about the problem. I am planning to do so either today (1/2/03) or tomorrow.
Windshield wipers quit working. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We almost had an accident when spraying the windows while driving and the wipers refused to come on. This happened several times, and we finally had to have the module replaced. The Chevrolet dealer told us that they have had more than the usual number of people with 1998 s10s with problems but they can do nothing about it unless the company orders a recall. We believe the recall through 1997 should be extended to the 1998 model. Our truck only has 34000 miles on it. It cost us 139.11 to have this fixed. We could have had an accident on the road, but luckily it was an isolated area and we were able to stop in the road and clear the windshield.
I drive a 1998 Chevy s-10. Everytime it rains, the windshield wipers stop working. I instantly go blind, and pull off the road/highway as fast as possible. The 1995-1997 Chevy s-10 has a recall on the exact same problem due to a faulty wiper motor circuit board. The description fits my problem exactly. This defect has a NHTSA campaign id number: 03V159000. My truck was manufactured in November 1997. When I called up Chevy, and told them of the problem, they said that it shouldn't be doing what it is doing. The Chevy rep. Said that my truck, manufactured in November 1997 was not included in the recall. It should because my windshield wipers freeze at the slightest bit of rain. I have not gotten this problem fixed yet.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet s-10 pickup. The contact stated that when he turned on the windshield wipers, they did not function properly. Sometimes they would work for a brief time and shut off and other times, they would function properly. He would have to stop the vehicle and tap on the motor with a hammer or screwdriver to get the wipers to function; sometimes it worked, other times, it did not. The contact called the dealership and was told that the repairs could be performed at his expense. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 71,000. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Window & Wiper complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 199 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 32% of the model year's 613 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (85 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet S10 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1998 Chevrolet S10, though it has 6 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 1998 Chevrolet S10 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.