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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

1998 Chevrolet S-10Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 638 owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet S-10. Most complaints involve visibility (205) and service brakes, hydraulic (69). The EPA rates it 16–55 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–55mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
638
Top: visibility
Fuel cost / yr
$1,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

638 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1998 – Sep 2020
  1. Visibility205
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic69
  3. Engine and engine cooling53
  4. Electrical system48
  5. Seats48
  6. Air bags39
  7. Power train39
  8. Structure37
  9. Suspension24

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S-10 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996686
1997469
1998638
1999238
2000514
2001319
2002239
2003205
Crashes reported
64
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
42
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility

205 reports3 crashes
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED AND STOPPED FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND NOW TOTALLY STOPPED RAINING HARD AND ALSO CAUSED A WRECK TRUCK IN GOOD CONDITION ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2013Electrical system, VisibilityODI 10492192

Service brakes, hydraulic

69 reports16 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND SHE PULLED OVER. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V218000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10354143

Engine and engine cooling

53 reports3 fires
“HI I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED A 1998 CHEVROLET S10 USED PRIVATE PARTY AND NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MY BROTHER SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED BY MY BROTHER IT HAD BEEN REBUILT LITERALLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE PURCHASED AND WAS SHOWN PROOF WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT SHIFTED INTO 3RD BY ITSELF AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE 25 MILES DOING 50 TOOK IT TO GM AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A PRESSURE PROBLEM AND WAS "RECOMMENDED" A TRANNY REBUILD AND THEN THEY CALLED THE CAR A PIECE OF @#$%^ AND WASN'T WORTH IT I PERSONALLY LOVE THE TRUCK AND THEN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 2500 DOLLARS. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK ME OUT OF IT, ALSO WHEN HOT IT SOUNDS LITERALLY LIKE A TRACTOR ON EXCEL AND STEADY SPEED IF ANY ONE HAS ANY ANSWERS PLEASE EMAIL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2009Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10277255
All 1998 S-10 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
Electric motor · 2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
2-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
72 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S10 Electric
Auto (A1), Lead Acid · 2-Wheel Drive
525855$1,400—
S10 Electric
Auto (A1), NiMH · 2-Wheel Drive
282828$2,700—
S10 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
S10 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
S10 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
S10 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
S10 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
S10 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
  • S10 Electric
    Auto (A1), Lead Acid
    52 city · 58 hwy · $1,400/yr
    55
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Electric
    Auto (A1), NiMH
    28 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3888
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 S-10 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet S-10 problems?

Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (205), service brakes, hydraulic (69), engine and engine cooling (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 at 16–55 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026