Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
1999 Chevrolet S-10Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet S-10. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (37) and seats (32). The EPA rates it 16–23 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
16–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
238
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
238 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Feb 2017
- Service brakes, hydraulic37
- Seats32
- Power train28
- Structure26
- Air bags26
- Engine and engine cooling23
- Electrical system17
- Tires12
- Equipment12
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Service brakes, hydraulic
37 reports5 crashes
“A BRAKE LINE FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER SAID THE LINE WAS CORRODED AND SPLICED IN A COMPRESSION FITTING AT A COST OF $222.50. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN 2 OTHER FAILURES OF BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION. THE SECOND FAILURE, I REPLACED ABOUT 10 FT OF BRAKE LINE MYSELF. THE 3RD BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS FIXING A BROKEN UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT HAD FAILED DUE TO (WOW) CORROSION. *TR”
Seats
32 reports
“NO EVENTS LEADING TO IT. JUST HAPPENS OUT OF THE BLUE WHEN USING IT. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. SEAT RECLINER LEVERS DEFECTIVE AND BREAK VERY EASY, THE PARTS THAT HOLD IT TOGETHER ARE CHEAP DIE CAST METAL. HAVEN'T BOTHERED REPLACING AS I CANNOT AFFORD, DEALER WONT REPLACE, JUNK YARDS DON'T HAVE THEM. *TR”
Power train
28 reports1 crash1 fire
“YES MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID SERVICE ENGINE SOON. SO I TOOK IT TO A MICHANIC AND HAD IT CHECKED AND IT CAME UP THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES IS THERE ANYTHING OR HELP I CAN GET TO REPLACE IT? *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Engines
- 2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S10 Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3982
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
1999 S-10 questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (37), seats (32), power train (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Chevrolet S-10 at 16–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026