The 1996 Chevrolet S10 has 75 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
75
Transmission complaints
9%
Share of year
2
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence
THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
“VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO TRANSFER CASE FLUID BEING EXPELLED FROM VENT HOSE ONTO THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS THE THIRD FIRE IN 1995 AND 1996 S-SERIES GM TRUCKS I HAVE INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ORIGIN OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK”
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet S10 transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 96V035000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.