1990 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1990 Chevrolet S10 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 34 owner complaints run below the S10 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (29% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Chevrolet S10 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	10	29%	▲ up
Engine	5	15%	— flat
Fuel System	4	12%	— flat
Other	3	9%	— flat
Body & Structure	3	9%	— flat
Seat Belts	2	6%	▼ down
Suspension	2	6%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	6%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	3%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	3%	— flat
Lighting	1	3%	— flat

Does the 1990 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.

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE, RESULTIN IN ROLLOVER. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO FLY OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT AND ONTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 19, 1997 · crash

“WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 6 1999 I DISCOVERED THE #2 CYLINDER WAS BADLY CARBON FOULED ,SINCE THAT TIME IT'S HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL USE AT ALL,THE MECHANIC HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT ,THIS PARTICULAR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 6, 1999

“GAS TANK EXPLODES IF AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IS CONNECTED BACKWARDS BECAUSE 12 VOLTS IS SUPPLIED TO THE SENSOR CIRCUIT, CAUSING IT TO BURN OUT AND EMIT SPARKS. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

“WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE THE JACK COLLAPSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE JACK WILL NOT BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 10, 1998

“A JEEP WITH A BIKE MOUNTED ON A BIKE RACK STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT QUICKLY LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SWERVE, BUT HIT THE REAR OF THE JEEP, DAMAGING THE BIKE AND BIKE RACK. SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY GRILLE, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 4, 2013 · crash

1990 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1990 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

It is close to typical for the S10: 34 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), engine (5 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 1990 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1990 compare to other S10 years?

What are the most common 1990 Chevrolet S10 problems?

Does the 1990 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1990 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1990 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

What are the most common 1990 S10 problems?

Does the 1990 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Is the 1990 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Chevrolet S10 years should you avoid?

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