VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 574 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.2 times the median S10 year — the 1997 model ranks #5 of 30 S10 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 46 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (118), brakes (117), and transmission (55), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

574

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

4

Investigations

72

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

46

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet S10 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers11821%
Brakes11720%
Transmission5510%
Airbags488%
Fuel System488%
Engine407%
Electrical System254%
Speed Control224%
Body & Structure203%
Other163%
Suspension142%
Seat Belts112%
Seats102%
Tires & Wheels92%
Steering71%
Lighting71%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Latches & Locks31%

Does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

03V159000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

00V159000BrakesJune 16, 2000 · 306 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.

00V069200Electrical SystemMarch 3, 2000 · 576 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.

Consequence

HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY WITH A REDESIGNED CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY.

98V177000Visibility & WipersAugust 4, 1998 · 354 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. 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.

Consequence

IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

97V146001BrakesSeptember 11, 1997 · 146,167 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

97V096001Seat BeltsJune 12, 1997 · 586,058 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ONE YEAR AGO FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE LETTER STATED NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN UNLESS THE PROBLEM EXISTED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND REPAIRS WERE DENIED BY THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THEY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 10, 2004 · fire

“IN PANIC STOPS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL "COAST ABOUT 20 FEET" THEN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 1, 1997 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVEWAY/IN GATE, VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING. ITJUMPED INTO GEAR BY ITSELF AND RAN AWAY AND ENDED UP IN A CREEK, GM CONTACTED AND HELPED PULL THE CAR OUT. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 60MPH. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HIM FROM THE REAR, AND VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO THE SHOULDER GRASS AND FLIPPED TWICE, THE CAR WAS UPSIDE DOWN. THEN, VEHICLE WAS BACK ON THE ROAD, AND WENT INTO A CONCRETE COVER. HIT IT HEAD-ON, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 15, 2000 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH ENGINE STARTED JERKING, AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN, ENGINE STALLED. WHEN CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE. A FEW FEET AWAY COULD SEE FIRE WICH WAS EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN ,THEN FUEL WAS DRIPPING UNDER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 6, 2001 · fire

1997 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1997 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 574 complaints put the 1997 model at #5 of 30 S10 years. It is one of the S10 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (118 complaints), brakes (117 complaints), transmission (55 complaints).

Does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 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.

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.