VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet S10 brakes problems

The 1997 Chevrolet S10 has 117 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

117

Brakes complaints

20%

Share of year

15

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have?

NHTSA has 117 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 brakes — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet S10 brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 00V159000, 97V146001.

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.