1998 Chevrolet S10: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Chevrolet S10: 6 recalls, 613 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V218000 · 1997 · 19,716 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
Why it matters: Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Electrical Vehicle recall #97V208001 · 1997 · 33,973 vehicles
What's wrong: An engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Why it matters: The clip material on the exhaust manifold can ignite and subsequently ignite other combustible components resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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.
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.
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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #00V220000 · 2000 · 14,279 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 surface.
Why it matters: These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #00V374000 · 2000 · 492 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. Affected vehicles will illuminate the "service now" and "reduced performance" telltales and continue to function in a reduced performance model instead of being disabled.
Why it matters: If the telltales are ignored and the affected vehicle continues to be driven, heat could build up and a fire could result.
The fix: Dealers will install revised software in the battery pack module.
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E065000 · 2006 · 3,593 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006.
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 #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
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. 9 mention a fire, 40 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (200): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (16), leaks (4).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (67): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (15), noise or vibration (8).
- Engine & cooling (51): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), leaks (8), noise or vibration (7).
- Electrical (50): the most common themes are electrical failure (23), stalls / loses power (7), fire / smoke (4).
The 1998 Chevrolet S10 has 613 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 19 S10 model years for complaints (2.1× the average S10 year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (119 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 71,125 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (469 complaints, 6 recalls), 1999 (231 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 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 | 14 | 19 | 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 1998 Chevrolet S10.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet S10, plus 5 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 1998 Chevrolet S10 problems?
Owners have filed 613 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (200), brakes (hydraulic) (67), engine & cooling (51).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.