VehicleVerdict

1999 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 298 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.9 times the median S10 year — the 1999 model ranks #8 of 30 S10 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 24 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (37), seats (33), and body & structure (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

298

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

38

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

24

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet S10 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3712%
Seats3311%
Body & Structure3110%
Transmission2910%
Airbags289%
Electrical System269%
Engine248%
Tires & Wheels145%
Fuel System124%
Suspension114%
Lighting93%
Other83%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)72%
Speed Control72%
Steering62%
Seat Belts62%
Latches & Locks31%

Does the 1999 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

5 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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS MOVING MY TRUCK AROUND IN MY DRIVE WAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED AND I HIT THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF A VEHICLE IS THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 7, 2012 · crash

“THE HANDLE USED TO RECLINE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. I WENT BY THE DEALER. THEY STATED THEY HAD REPLACED LOTS OF THESE, BUT THAT GMC HADN'T RECALLED THEM OR ANYTHING. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRENTY, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ENTIRE COST. I TOLD THEM I WOULD WAIT BECAUSE GM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · June 23, 2001

“1999 CHEVROLET S10 EXTENDED CAB.*MR (NAR) THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED SMASHING THE FRONT END AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. *CB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 7, 2003 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND DRIVESHAFT BROKE, PUSHING VEHICLE UPWARD, ALMOST INTO AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BUT CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE AT DEALER'S FOR NINE MONTHS, DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIXED IT.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 7, 2000 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT'S SON FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. HIS INJURIES CONSISTED OF A SPRAINED ANKLE AND ABDOMINAL CONTUSION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED HIM, BUT CAUSED BRUISING IN THE CHEST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 7, 2007 · crash

1999 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 1999 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 298 complaints put the 1999 model at #8 of 30 S10 years. It is one of the S10 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (37 complaints), seats (33 complaints), body & structure (31 complaints).

Does the 1999 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.