VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet S10 brakes problems

The 1998 Chevrolet S10 has 86 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

86

Brakes complaints

12%

Share of year

19

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.

97V218000BrakesNovember 24, 1997 · 19,716 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence

PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

What owners report

BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN OTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY CUT IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND THEN ABRUPTLY APPLIED BRAKES.BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND.DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION.VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID, STRIKING A CONCRETE POLE.AT NO TIME DID THE BRAKES EVER STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED AFTER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2000 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have?

NHTSA has 86 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet S10 brakes — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet S10 brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 00V159000, 97V218000.

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.