Chevrolet S10 Suspension Problems

Owners have filed 146 complaints about suspension problems with the Chevrolet S10 — 4% of all S10 complaints. The worst model years are 1995 (24), 1998 (24) and 1996 (22). Problems typically start around 74,000 miles. No suspension recall has been issued for the S10.

146complaints
1995worst year
74ktypical miles
0related recalls
4crashes
0fires

Suspension complaints by model year

199519961997199819992000200120022003200424221324919171242
Suspension complaints per model year, Chevrolet S10.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2004210%100,000 miles
200342%2,000 miles
2002126%80,000 miles
2001176%48,000 miles
2000194%34,000 miles
199994%85,000 miles
1998244%120,000 miles
1997133%139,000 miles
1996223%85,000 miles
1995243%383,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Front
    27
  • Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
    18
  • Front › Wheel bearing
    14
  • Rear
    13
  • Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
    10
  • Front › Control arm
    9
  • Front › Control arm › Lower arm
    6
  • Front › Stabilizer bar
    4

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    411%
  • 25k–50k
    1027%
  • 50k–75k
    616%
  • 75k–100k
    1027%
  • 100k–150k
    514%
  • 150k+
    25%

What owners report

2003 s-10 pickup, VIN [redacted] . When I took this vehicle to fletcher Chevrolet for an oil change on oct 28, 2003, at 1,866 miles, I mentioned that there was a squeak coming from the front right suspension. They checked and heard the squeak. The vehicle was scheduled for repair on nov 17, 2003. On dec 3, 2003, 2 weeks later, I picked up the vehicle and was told that the coil spring insulators were replaced. On dec 11, 2003, I went to fletcher Chevrolet for an oil change and again mentioned having a squeak in the front. The front end was lubricated. This did not fix the problem but I procrastinated until June 7, 2004 before taking the vehicle back for service. Fletcher Chevrolet checked the vehicle and said that they needed to order upper control arm bushings. The vehicle was scheduled for repair on June 17, 2004. …

2003 S10 · Front · 2,000 miles · Jul 2004

The vehicles original equipment tires are not balanced properly and resulted in "wobbling" while driving. The dealer attempted to balance them four times since purchased but the problem still exists (uniroyal p205/75r15, 1,000 miles on tires).

2003 S10 · Apr 2003

I have a 2002 Chevrolet S10 zr2. It has had many problems in the front end, it was eventually discovered to have numerous cracks and broken welds, mostly on the right side. At this point GM has offered a 70/30 split on repairs, which we reluctantly agreed to because we needed the vehicle repaired. Now that the frame has been haphazardly repaired by a different dealer, because the dealer that we purchased it from refused to look at it, we feel that it is still a safety hazard and we are trying to get it repaired correctly. We want proper repairs for our vehicle, but ,to also alert others that there May be problems with the zr2 frames. The original frame is still in the possession of turnpike Chevrolet in nitro, wv.

2002 S10 · 80,000 miles · Mar 2007

Front bearing hubs have gone bad. This has happen only 3,000 after the extended warranty has expired at 100,000. I had loud grinding and vibration in front after I took off winter aggressive snow tires. The snow tires have masked the problem and the vehicle would have been serviced if heard. Took it to dealer to have them find problem. Comes back with both hubs need replaced and upper and lower ball joints with a total of 1710.00 in service. I felt that GM should be responsible. I called GM and declined even after consulting with dealer. I feel these parts have failed prior to warranty being expired.

2002 S10 · Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · 103,000 miles · Mar 2005

2004 tail gate ass failed replaced after market parts 2004 back up lights in/op;004 interrior light will not turn off/ over ride botton used to save battery2005 left front hub ass replaced. 004 right front hub ass replaced;005 front end replaced/pittman/tie rods;2004 oil filter leak / tightened 2004 rear emergency brakes in/op 5 left emergency brake drum replaced;005 right emergency brake drum replaced 2005 gas sending unit replaced eradic behavior 2004 left brake shoe replaced ;004 right brake shoe replaced;005 left brake shoe replaced front;005 right brake shoe replaced front 2005 left brake shoe replaced rear;005 right brake shoe replaced rear;005 u joints replaced;04 battery replaced 2005 transmission showing signs of wear;005 rear end {3.42} locker clangs between 1st and revved. …

2001 S10 · Front · 92,000 miles · Feb 2005

When the vehicle was turned, the stabilizer bar rubbed the tire, which caused the tire to wear out prematurely. Dealer notified. The consumer noticed a rub on both sides of the stabilizer bar which was most on the left side. Further investigation showed the stabilizer bar was shoved an inch out of it's bracket. There was a hard left pull when the vehicle was driven. The truck was lifted off the ground and the consumer pointed out the rub marks on the stabilizer bar and also showed how the bar had been shoved out of it's holding bracket. The service dealer suggested the problem was a design flaw by showing the consumer another vehicle (same make/model) with the same problem.

2001 S10 · Front › Stabilizer bar · 48,000 miles · Apr 2003

My dad purchased my truck from the church secretary where he attended in March of 2015. At the time of purchase it only had 66,000 miles on it. The secretary's father owned it and used it from new until 6 months before we purchased it and only used it to help feed his cows. 1. Window washer motor circuit 2. Seatbelt need's stitched 3. The overload sticker is wrong Came in after we purchased the truck but my dad was sick and he passed away 3/8/2016 Coated brake rotor & hub assembly (86757CR)x2 Tie rod end (NCD 2693017)x2 Ball joint front lower (NCD 2601130)x2 Tie rod end control arm front left (NCD 2605330) Tie rod end control arm and ball joint front right upper (NCP 2605329) Tie rod adjusting sleeve front (NCD 2691109)x2 Idler arm assembly (NCD 2683654) Tie rod End outer (NCD 2683267)x2 Steering center link (NCD 2721591) TOO MUCH NOISE AND WHEN MAKING A PARKING LOT TURN IT FELT AND …

2000 S10 · Oct 2016

When turning the steering wheel to the right, the consumer would hear noise coming from the steering wheel. The owner contacted the dealership. Please add any further information. Consumer was told the warranty was expired, tough cookies and since they were GMC and not cheverolet they wouldn't do anything. GMC was going to charge $488. For parts plus labor. The consumer replaced the part himself.

2000 S10 · Front › Wheel bearing · 27,000 miles · Oct 2003

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet S10 years have suspension problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (24), 1998 (24), 1996 (22), 2000 (19) and 2001 (17) model years. Suspension complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1995.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 suspension problems?

No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for any Chevrolet S10 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Chevrolet S10 suspension problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the front (27 mentions), followed by the front › control arm › lower ball joint (18).

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.