Chevrolet S10 Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 660 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Chevrolet S10 across 10 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (207). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (61% of reports).
- 660visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 63%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 405 of 660 complaints (61%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 98 of 660 complaints (15%)
- Work intermittently: mentioned in 61 of 660 complaints (9%)
- Poor visibility: mentioned in 38 of 660 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Chevrolet S10 at $250, and half of them between $160 and $460.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2006), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 170 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 660 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury.
Chevrolet S10 visibility complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 1996, 1997
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:defroster/defogger/hvac system
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with electric drive. Rapid fogging of the interior glass can occur within two minutes after the heat is turned on if (1) the outside temperature is between 35 and 76 degrees fahrenheit and (2) water has collected on the heat exchanger during previous operation of the air conditioning.
Risk: If rapid fogging were to occur during driving, it could obstruct the driver's vision increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Owners are being provided with a caution label and supplemental insert for their owner's manual advising them to follow a "stop and wait" procedure to help avoid window fogging while driving.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 1995, 1996
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:windshield
Model years: 1996
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.
2003 chevy s10 zr-2 window stops working randomly is there a safety recall? *tr
Letter from to the administrator re product safety recall 00v258001 affecting 2000 chevrolet vehicles with the incorrect payload capacity listed on the vehicle certification label on the driver's side door. *kb the consumer stated the label read 3,872 lbs, when it should have read 1,434 lbs. *jb gm…
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet s10. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would fail intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current…
Wipers intermittently stop working. *tt
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet s10. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph in rainy weather with the windshield wipers activated. Suddenly and without warning, the wipers failed to operate. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and eventually the windshield wipers began to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet S10s have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 660 owner complaints about visibility for the Chevrolet S10. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet S10 visibility?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Chevrolet S10?
Owners report a typical cost of $250 (half paid between $160 and $460), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Chevrolet S10?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 405 of 660 complaints, followed by “wiper motor” (98).
Other Chevrolet S10 problems
See all Chevrolet S10 problems.