VehicleVerdict

1997 Chevrolet S10 visibility & wipers problems

The 1997 Chevrolet S10 has 118 visibility & wipers complaints filed with NHTSA — 21% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

118

Visibility & Wipers complaints

21%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Visibility & Wipers complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many visibility & wipers complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet S10 have?

NHTSA has 118 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S10 visibility & wipers — 21% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet S10 visibility & wipers?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the visibility & wipers: 03V159000, 98V177000.

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.