1997 Chevrolet S10: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Chevrolet S10: 6 recalls, 469 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #97V096001 · 1997 · 586,058 vehicles
What's wrong: The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Why it matters: If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V146001 · 1997 · 146,167 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
The fix: 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, the front brake line will be replaced.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #98V177000 · 1998 · 354 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 conditioning.
Why it matters: If rapid fogging were to occur during driving, it could obstruct the driver's vision increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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 Vehicle recall #00V069200 · 2000 · 576 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were built with a charge port assembly that could fail during a charging event.
Why it matters: Heat could build up within the charge port and a fire could result.
The fix: Dealers will replace the charge port assembly with a redesigned charge port assembly.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #00V159000 · 2000 · 306 vehicles
What's wrong: A condition in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe.
Why it matters: This could wear off the corrosion protection on the brake pipe, leading to premature corrosion and eventual loss of brake pipe integrity. When brake pipe integrity is lost, brake fluid leakage can occur.
The fix: Dealers will relocate the ground strap attachment, inspect the brake pipe for wear, and replace the brake pipe if necessary.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V159000 · 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Why it matters: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system (other) Equipment recall #07E021000 · 2007 · 742 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
Why it matters: Fuel May leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 38 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (113): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (95): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (36), noise or vibration (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (49): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), noise or vibration (5), leaks (4).
- Airbags (47): the most common themes are fails to deploy (34), warning light on (2).
The 1997 Chevrolet S10 has 469 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 19 S10 model years for complaints (1.6× the average S10 year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (83 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 83,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (668 complaints, 7 recalls), 1998 (613 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Chevrolet S10.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet S10, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet S10 problems?
Owners have filed 469 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (113), brakes (hydraulic) (95), transmission & drivetrain (49).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Chevrolet S10 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.