1989 Chevrolet S10
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › S10 › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Chevrolet S10. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1989 Chevrolet S10. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
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 and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
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.
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 and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will retorque the upper and lower bolts to correct specifications.
The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Install a newly designed fan assembly.
Owner complaints
48 complaints3 involved a crash4 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires › Sidewall
I had a tie failure on a goodrich p225/70-r14 m&s tire. The sidewall split on the tire without warning. The tire was taken to the dealer who examined it and said that the sidewall failure was due to some sort of manufacturing defect. When the other tires were examined, one of them was found to have…
I had a tie failure on a goodrich p225/70-r14 m&s tire. The sidewall split on the tire without warning. The tire was taken to the dealer who examined it and said that the sidewall failure was due to some sort of manufacturing defect. When the other tires were examined, one of them was found to have a sidewall crack that had not yet gotten all the way thru the sidewall. The tire that failed did so at low speed so there was no wreck, but a sidewall failure at road speed could have led to a serious accident. *Jb
- Unknown or other
Paint peeling on hood and top. contacted gm 5 years and 2 months after purchase and was told nothing would be done as it wasn't their problem. also, the vehicle was out of warranty and they would not do anything to work with me!! contacted again after I read about class action suit and was…
Paint peeling on hood and top. contacted gm 5 years and 2 months after purchase and was told nothing would be done as it wasn't their problem. also, the vehicle was out of warranty and they would not do anything to work with me!! contacted again after I read about class action suit and was treated with no respect!!! the lady I spoke with said go ahead any sue and see where it gets you. I've almost been in two accidents due to paint peels flying off my hood and hitting the windshied. very distracting to say the least. p.s. I have 234,000 miles now on this vehicle. should have been a good advertisment for gm.
- Steering
Steering wheel turned 180 without warning and locked up. while driving the steering column turned 180 degrees without warning and locked up. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the bolts were loose. the dealer reinstalled them with thread lockers. *nlm
- Tires › Sidewall
While driving 45 mph rear passenger firestone tire blew out. the consumer checked the tire pressure three weeks prior to the blow out. *ak *ph *nlm
- Seat belts · Structure › Body › Door
Possible door latch/handle and seat belt failures. *tt *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Structure › Frame and members
When purchasing the vehicle I asked a salesman why there was rust showing on the underneath of the new vehicle I was purchasing. he commented that all the new vehicles had that. I walked the line and found that all the in cheaper vehicles had rust but the more expensive vehicles din't. that made…
When purchasing the vehicle I asked a salesman why there was rust showing on the underneath of the new vehicle I was purchasing. he commented that all the new vehicles had that. I walked the line and found that all the in cheaper vehicles had rust but the more expensive vehicles din't. that made me wonder if chevrolet was manufacturing substandard vehicles. my experience since has reinforced thast impression. both new vehicle I bought had extensive paint problems. The major frame componenets began to rust vigorously. I appplied rust inhibitors to no avail. now the caliper and bbrake componenets on the left side have been replaced/ the brakeline burst while in a gas station due to rust . when I got tothe parts house I was given story after story about S-10S blowing their brake lines while in traffic. now I have the problem of gas spraying onto the gas tank and frame from the same problem, the fuel line IS rusted thru. the entire dr4ivers side of the truck IS rusting down and 50% of the S-10 in this age class are in similar shape. This needs to be addressed brfore we have more deaths on the highway. putting a splash guard on the rear wheel 's fender would eliminate most of the splashed aarea, which I've been told IS being done on newer vehicles. you help on this matter would be appreciated. *Ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Front bucket seat latch does not work anymore. Latches does not work and will not hold.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel IS coming loose. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving, the consumer noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and pulled over, a few minutes later the consumer saw a flame and exited the vehicle which became completely engulfed in flames, possible engine failure causing fire. (ohio traffic crash report) *slc
- Tires
We purchase 4 of these tire and within 1 year we have had two blowouts, one blowout, causing a wreck and the other blowout did not result in a wreck.*ak (dot number: vnhk rad tiresize: lt235/r15)
- Tires › Tread/belt
Bought new with about 10,000 miles, tire size p20575r14. Driver's rear tire tread came off which caused a major problem with vehicle. *Ak left rear tire tread came off and tire blew out damaging left side of the vehicle. tire was shipped to continental general tire corporation. *yh
- Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
When the turn siginal IS enguaged the wind shield wipers will automatically enguage.the door handles broke under 100000 mile on the 1985 and the 1989 S10 blazer.r
- Tires › Tread/belt
1989 S-10 blazer purchased "new" in february 1989 supplied with firestone "atx" tires. Within two years the "original tires began to develop major cracks in the tread area. They were replaced by firestone "at no/charge" in 1992 with another set of "atx" tires. The replacement set also began to…
1989 S-10 blazer purchased "new" in february 1989 supplied with firestone "atx" tires. Within two years the "original tires began to develop major cracks in the tread area. They were replaced by firestone "at no/charge" in 1992 with another set of "atx" tires. The replacement set also began to develop major cracking in the tread area within the next two to three years. In 1995 the replacement tires were replaced with another set of "atx" tires. However, at that time they (firestone) pro-rated the tire at about 50% treadwear and I had to pay about $160. Again, for the third time, the replacement "atx" tires began to develop major cracks in the tread area. Last month (july 2000) I had the tires replaced again for the same cracking problem. They were again pro-rated with about 45% teard wear. The replacement tires cost me $220 and this time were firestone "wilderness". On august 10, 2000 I had the firestone "wilderness" tires removed and purchased a set of "goodyear wranglers". I returned the firestone "wilderness" tires on august 12, 2000 for a refund of my $220. It IS my feeling that firestone should refund the $160 that I spent in 1995 and also the $445 that I just spent for the replacement "goodyear wrangler" tires. That's a total refund of $605. Please note: I have the original copies of all tire invoices. Thank you! Sincerely frank a canna 08/12/00( dot number: tire size: P225 75 15 )
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Left front wheel and assembly fell off of vehicle, indication that the stud bolts sheared off causing failure. (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While driving at 45 to 50 mph steering column broke, causing a loss of steering for a short period before coming to a stop. Their IS a old recall for the problem, but it does not apply to this vehicle. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Seat belts › Front
Front seat belts will not catch and lock. Dealer was contacted and did nothnig. *Ak
- Unknown or other
Need to know if truck if eligible for new paint job because of original defective paint. Information request, no safety defect (s) indicated. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Engine cooling fan blade broke while driving, causing damages to the water pump and radiator. Vehicle not included in recall number 93v008000. please give any further details. *Ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Driving on the freeway,towing a trailer with 2 watercraft,the spare tire hold cable broke;sending the tire under the sea-doo trailer tearing off the right corner of the trailer. I have no idea if anyone else hit the tire,it was in heavy traffic.i purchased a new holddown unit,spare tire but havent repaired the trailer or contacted gm.
- Suspension
When on an incline, the vehicle slows to a speed below which the cruise control should compensate; after clearing the incline, the cruise control slowly brings the vehicle to its set speed ( approx. 70 mph ), at which time the front end begins to hum loudly and vibrate; as the brakes are applied…
When on an incline, the vehicle slows to a speed below which the cruise control should compensate; after clearing the incline, the cruise control slowly brings the vehicle to its set speed ( approx. 70 mph ), at which time the front end begins to hum loudly and vibrate; as the brakes are applied, the pitch of the hum decreases with speed, and the vibration worsens; at approx. 55MH, the vibration seems to be sufficient to "knock" something back into position; a loud, metallic " clunk " IS heard along with a feel best described as running over a small speed bump (at 55mph); the vibration and hum disappear after the "clunk".
- Tires
National (p235/75r15 1055) tire blew out.
- Seat belts
Seat belts failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Brakes failed, causing accident.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness: was driving home and smoke started coming out of the signal switch. Got the vehicle home without a fire. Drove the vehicle to the shop in the morning with the same problem. was told by dealer that when the wires and switch were put together at the manufacturer, they put grease on them which caused the wires to melt. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The front driver's side seat belt will not retract when leaning forward in the seat. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine compartment fires
An alleged malfunction in the atlernator resulting in engine compartmet fires.
- High idle flare
There is no summary currently available
- High idle flare
There is no summary currently available
- Headlight switch failure
There is no summary currently available
- Lift gate falls off
Lift gate falls off
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 41076Water leak at the a/c recirculation door (install new hood hinge seal).
- 41072End gate latch rattle (install revised striker).
- 39431Front door side glass binding/track disengagement.
Every Chevrolet S10 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.