Model year record

1990 Chevrolet S10 recalls & problems

The 1990 Chevrolet S10 has 5 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (10 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints29filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

SteeringOct 8, 1996

Gear box › Shaft sector

Recall 96V195000144,598 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

Engine and engine coolingJan 14, 1993

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 93V008000215,052 vehicles

Problem: THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.
Risk: IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE SEGMENT.
Fix: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Chevrolet S-10 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

S10 Pickup 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

S10 Blazer 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

S10 Blazer 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

S10 Blazer 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

S10 Cab Chassis 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

S10 Pickup 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

S10 Blazer 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	10	3	2	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Fan; Engine › Gasoline	5	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Auxillary tank	4	0	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Hood	3	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	2	1	0	—
SuspensionRear; Front	2	0	0	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire; Tread/belt	2	0	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Mechanical › Carrier/rack	2	0	0	—
Interior lighting	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › BodyCrash
A JEEP WITH A BIKE MOUNTED ON A BIKE RACK STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT MY BRAKES, BUT QUICKLY LOST BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SWERVE, BUT HIT THE REAR OF THE JEEP, DAMAGING THE BIKE AND BIKE RACK. SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY GRILLE, DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER AND HEADLIGHT, AND RADIATOR MOUNT. AFTER EXCHANGING INSURANCE INFORMATION, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND, BY THE FUEL TANK ON DRIVERS SIDE. LIMPED HOME (ABOUT 2 BLOCKS). NO BRAKES OTHER THAN EMERGENCY BRAKE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED FAILED BRAKE LINE AND SEVERE RUST ON MOST BRAKE LINES. *TR
Jun 4, 2013 · 98,858 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED FRONT WHEELS LOCK, AND REAR WHEELS KEEP TURNING, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Jan 17, 2001
Tires › Tread/belt
LAST WEEK TWO TIRES HAVE SHOWN SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. TIRES WERE ON A 1990, CHEVROLET, S10. NOT ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 35,000. THERE WAS 5/32 TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES. *AK BOTH OF THE BACK FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES HAD BULGES ON THE TREAD. *SLC
Aug 14, 2000
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
FUAL PUMP WIRE MELTED INSIDE OF FUAL TANK. *AK
Dec 28, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
3RD DOOR LATCH FAILED CAUSING DOOR TO NOT OPEN/STICK. MJS
May 27, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 6 1999 I DISCOVERED THE #2 CYLINDER WAS BADLY CARBON FOULED ,SINCE THAT TIME IT'S HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL USE AT ALL,THE MECHANIC HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT ,THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED TO OPERATE IN THIS MANNER AND BASICALLY LIVE WITH IT! I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD GET MY MONEY BACK IN FULL SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A LEMON VEHICLE. *AK
Mar 6, 1999
Structure › Body
PAINT ON ROOF IS BEGINNING TO PEEL. EVERYTIME I WAS IN VEHICLE MORE PAINT FLAKES OFF
Mar 23, 1999
Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE ON BROKE. IF ANY VISUAL INSPECTION IS NEEDED FEEL FREE TO DO SO
Jun 15, 1996

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosed
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
EA94029 · opened Jul 29, 1994 · closed Jul 31, 1996
HIGH IDLE FLAREClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92015 · opened May 22, 1992 · closed May 28, 1993
HIGH IDLE FLAREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92001 · opened Jan 7, 1992 · closed May 22, 1992
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91057 · opened Mar 6, 1991 · closed Jul 12, 1991