Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

27 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

83,395 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 27 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior518.5%
Transmission and shifting13.7%
Steering behavior13.7%
Fuel system concerns13.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
Structure:Body:Door
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Power Train:Axle Assembly2
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage2
Structure:Body:Door2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator1

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
6
1997
9
1998
4
1999
2
2000
3
2001
2
2005
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
19979
19984
19992
20003
20012
20051

1995: 6; 1997: 9; 1998: 4; 1999: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2005: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 524454 · 1997-11-07 (November 7, 1997)

COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. AFTER REPAIRING THE BRAKES SEEMED BETTER FOR A SHORT TIME, NOW BRAKES ARE IN SAME CONDITION AS BEFORE REPAIR SERVICE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 524454 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 526225 · 1997-10-22 (October 22, 1997)

BRAKES LOCK UP/FAIL. REPLACED POWER BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER/ CALIPERS AND DRUMS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 526225 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 881015 · 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)

BACKING OUT AND WAS TURNING THE WHEEL. SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, AND ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR. RPM'S WERE UP. TOOK OFF. WAS OUT OF CONTROL, AND WAS SPINNING SEVERAL TIMES. THEN, HIT A SNOW MOBILE TRAILER WHICH STOPPED VEHICLE FROM SPINNING. PEDAL WAS IN NORMAL POSITION. FOOT WAS NOT ON BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHCLE OUT OF COMMISSION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 881015 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 878924 · 2001-01-24 (January 24, 2001)

MOUNTING BRACKET TO ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, AND IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER . THIS SEEMED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. DEALER DIDN'T SEE IT AS A PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878924 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 816264 · 1997-09-11 (September 11, 1997)

FUEL TANK RUSTED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH WAS REPLACED, AND AFTER FIVE YEARS HAS RUSTED AGAIN, DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 816264 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

27 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

3.7%Usable mileage1 / 27 records
74.1%Valid incident date20 / 27 records
100.0%Valid filing date27 / 27 records
74.1%Ordered incident and filing dates20 / 27 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20042006201620172018
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
29.5%
ODI 10043960

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

Look up ODI 10043960 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
14.8%
ODI 10080071 · 6,600 mi

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO BECOME AIR BORN. WHEN THE VEHICLE DESCENDED IT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LEGS, CHEST, AND ARMS. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER. *AK

Look up ODI 10080071 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
14.8%
ODI 10288605 · 840,000 mi

I HAVE A 2004 S-10 PICKUP AND HAD A NEARMISS A PERSON WAS SITTING ON MY TAILGATE AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE AND THE RIGHT ONE IS BULGING I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE HOW DO I GET THESE CABLES CHANGED. *TR

Look up ODI 10288605 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 22 reports

2017: 0 complaints · 2018: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2017000
2018012
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2017100
2018300

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSeat Belts:Front:RetractorEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineFuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyVehicle Speed ControlPower Train:Axle AssemblySeat Belts:Front:AnchorageStructure:Body:DoorElectrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor—
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

—0
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly00—00000
Vehicle Speed Control
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0—00
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0
Power Train:Axle Assembly0000—000
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage00000—00
Structure:Body:Door
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

00—0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 863684

UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP ON WET PAVEMENT, FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE REAR BRAKES CONTINUED WITH FORWARD MOVEMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID, AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Look up ODI 863684 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 878924

MOUNTING BRACKET TO ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, AND IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER . THIS SEEMED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. DEALER DIDN'T SEE IT AS A PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 878924 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 541621

BOTH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED/ CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE/ENGINE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP/SPEEDOMETER NOT LUBRICATED/WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY/WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH ONE SWIPE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROL SWITCH, AND DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RECOIL.

Look up ODI 541621 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b