VehicleVerdict

1989 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1989 Chevrolet S10 sits mid-pack among S10 years: 55 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 44, with 5 recalls and 5 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (10), tires & wheels (7), and electrical system (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

55

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted1,225 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 9 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 43 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 34 complaints1991: 253 complaints1992: 221 complaints1993: 276 complaints1994: 1,225 complaints1995: 1,151 complaints1996: 875 complaints1997: 574 complaints1998: 742 complaints1999: 298 complaints2000: 559 complaints2001: 404 complaints2002: 246 complaints2003: 230 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 0 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 5 complaints
S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Chevrolet S10 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1018%
Electrical System713%
Tires & Wheels713%
Fuel System47%
Body & Structure47%
Engine47%
Brakes35%
Other35%
Steering35%
Seats24%
Speed Control24%
Transmission24%
Suspension12%
Latches & Locks12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%

Does the 1989 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

96V195000SteeringOctober 8, 1996 · 144,598 units

Defect

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

93V008000EngineJanuary 14, 1993 · 215,052 units

Defect

THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.

Consequence

IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE SEGMENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE BACKREST HINGE AND A HOLE IS NOW WORN INTO THE BELT FABRIC. HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE OFF. GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN BLOWING SNOW MELTED ONTO THE WARM CABLE AND FLOWED BETWEEN THE OUTER SHIELD AND THE CABLE. IT THEN FROZE WHEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 11, 1990

“WE PURCHASE 4 OF THESE TIRE AND WITHIN 1 YEAR WE HAVE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS, ONE BLOWOUT, CAUSING A WRECK AND THE OTHER BLOWOUT DID NOT RESULT IN A WRECK.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VNHK RAD TIRESIZE: LT235/R15)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 20, 2000 · crash

“WIRING HARNESS: WAS DRIVING HOME AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE SIGNAL SWITCH. GOT THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT A FIRE. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP IN THE MORNING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT WHEN THE WIRES AND SWITCH WERE PUT TOGETHER AT THE MANUFACTURER, THEY PUT GREASE ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 6, 1997

“GAS TANK LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN FILLED, OCCUPANTS CAN SMELL STRONG GAS FUMES, ODOR DIES DOWN AFTER QUARTER OF TANK HAS BEEN USED, COULD CAUSE FIRE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 16, 1996

“WHEN THE TURN SIGINAL IS ENGUAGED THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENGUAGE.THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE UNDER 100000 MILE ON THE 1985 AND THE 1989 S10 BLAZER.R”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 30, 1992

1989 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1989 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

It is close to typical for the S10: 55 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1989 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (10 complaints), tires & wheels (7 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 1989 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet S10 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S10 years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997, 2000, 2001, 1999, 1993, 1991, 2002, 2003, 1992. The cleanest record among S10 years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.