VehicleVerdict

1991 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 253 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.8 times the median S10 year — the 1991 model ranks #10 of 30 S10 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 84 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 86 reports (34% of the total).

253

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

7

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

84

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other S10 years?

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Chevrolet S10 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes8634%
Engine2610%
Seat Belts229%
Electrical System198%
Body & Structure187%
Fuel System146%
Transmission135%
Other104%
Suspension94%
Tires & Wheels94%
Steering73%
Seats52%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Child Seat31%
Lighting31%
Speed Control21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 1991 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

9 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.

99V193000BrakesJuly 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

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.

91V108000Fuel SystemJune 21, 1991 · 102,885 units

Defect

VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH THE FUEL TANK SENDER SEAL OUT OF POSITION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, AN OUT OF POSTIONSEAL COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY FMVSS 301.SPILLED FUEL COULD IGNITE NEAR AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy

REPLACE SENDER SEALS.

90V193000SuspensionNovember 14, 1990 · 237 units

Defect

NUTS USED TO ATTACH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD "STRIP".

Consequence

STRIPPING OF THE NUTS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD REDUCECLAMP LOAD ON LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE ARM TO DETACH, RESULTINGIN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT NUTS AS WELL AS REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBER NUTS.

90V107000Visibility & WipersJune 4, 1990 · 181 units

Defect

USE OF IMPROPER PRIMER ON METAL SURFACES OF WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW OPENINGS COULD CAUSE LOW ADHESION TO THE METAL SURFACE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

Consequence

WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW GLASS WOULD NOT PREVENT THEEJECTION OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUSINJURIES AND FATALITIES.

Remedy

REMOVE AND REINSTALL GLASS USING PROPER PRIMER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

EA94038; WHEN THE ROADS ARE SLIPPERY OR GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED REAR END ACCIDENTS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN CARRYING A LOAD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN BRAKING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 1991 · crash

EXHUAST MANIFOLD HAS A HOLE IN IT AND BLOWS EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. OWNER HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURSRED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 5, 2001

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, RESTRAINTS DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER AFTER BEING EXAMINED BY A PHYSICIAN BELIEVES HE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURY. *YH

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 6, 2001 · crash

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH CONSUMER HEARD SOME TYPE OF POPPING SOUND AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, AND SAW SOME SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 15, 1999 · fire

BODY RUST AND PAINT CHIPPING AND PEELING DIGITAL DASHBOARD IS DEAD EXCEPT FOR SPEEDOMETER AND TRIP METER SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK UP WHEN YOU SLAM THE BRAKES ON FRONT SUSPENSION IS VERY SQUIKY

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 15, 2003

1991 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1991 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 253 complaints put the 1991 model at #10 of 30 S10 years. It is one of the S10 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (86 complaints), engine (26 complaints), seat belts (22 complaints).

Does the 1991 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.