1996 Chevrolet S10 Visibility Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 13, 2018 · 100 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 30,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (65% of reports).

100visibility complaints
30,000median miles at failure
0mention a crash
0mention an injury
3related recalls
53%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

Windshield wipers: mentioned in 65 of 100 complaints (65%)
Work intermittently: mentioned in 16 of 100 complaints (16%)
Wiper motor: mentioned in 13 of 100 complaints (13%)
Causing poor visibility: mentioned in 9 of 100 complaints (9%)

At what mileage do visibility problems happen?

Based on 3 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%

10k–25k miles1 · 33%

25k–50k miles1 · 33%

50k–75k miles0 · 0%

75k–100k miles1 · 33%

100k–150k miles0 · 0%

150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

None of the 100 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.

Chevrolet S10 visibility complaints by model year

Peak: 1995, with 207 complaints

n = 660 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model year	Visibility complaints	Share of that year	Median miles
2004 S10	3	14%	15,777
2003 S10	12	7%	42,000
2002 S10	3	1%	19,062
2001 S10	7	2%	24,250
2000 S10	9	2%	—
1999 S10	6	3%	31,739
1998 S10	200	33%	60,500
1997 S10	113	24%	84,250
1996 S10	100	15%	30,000
1995 S10	207	23%	125,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2001, with 22 complaints

n = 100 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Visibility:windshield wiper/washerApr 28, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V159000 · 1,755,876 vehicles

Problem: On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.

Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washerJul 1, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V150001 · 1,557,585 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.

Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

Visibility:windshieldJan 27, 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V008001 · 55 vehicles

Problem: The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.

Fix: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Dt*: the contact stated the side mirrors on the doors were loose at the base. The dealership determined both mirror assemblies needed to be replaced.*ak
Received Jan 10, 2006 · NHTSA complaint 10147370

There is an intermittent short in the wiper control/ motor system that each time i reported it to the chevy dealers in this area was told that they could not find a problem . And that there were not any other reports of this kind. As i can see from the nhtsa website this is patently untrue. Since…
Received Mar 30, 2005 · NHTSA complaint 10116126

While driving in rainy weather front windshield wipers failed intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
Received Sep 30, 2004 · NHTSA complaint 10094699

Frequently asked questions

Do all 1996 Chevrolet S10s have visibility problems?

No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about visibility for the 1996 Chevrolet S10 (15% of the 668 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Chevrolet S10 visibility?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do visibility problems start?

The median reported mileage is 30,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about visibility problems on the 1996 Chevrolet S10?

The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 65 of 100 complaints, followed by “work intermittently” (16).