Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 2.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1989 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 48 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.2% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
Seat Belts: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 44 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 9; 1996: 11; 1997: 6; 1998: 3; 1999: 4; 2000: 7; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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 529951 · 1998-01-23 (January 23, 1998)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 529951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 763900 · 2002-07-07 (July 7, 2002)
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 INHIB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038522 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 209,410 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854902 · 2000-01-12 (January 12, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480713 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
GAS TANK LEAKING ABOVE MID-POINT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 516960 · 1997-05-06 (May 6, 1997)
FUEL INJECTION SOLENOID WIRING FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 516960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 803585 · 1996-10-16 (October 16, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE TURN SIGNAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE DASHBORAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 803585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 546868 · 1997-02-26 (February 26, 1997)
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE BACKREST HINGE AND A HOLE IS NOW WORN INTO THE BELT FABRIC. HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE OFF. GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN BLOWING SNOW MELTED ONTO THE WARM CABLE AND FLOWED BETWEEN THE OUTER SHIELD AND THE CABLE. IT THEN FROZE WHEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE REACHED BELOW FREEZING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SHIFTED INTO GEAR, AND THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED THE VEHICLE SPED OFF AT ABOUT 40 MPH. ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO SLOW DOWN. A HEAT GUN WAS USED TO HEAT CABLE AND DRY IT OUT. OIL AND GREASE WAS APPLI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 546868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979011 · 1996-02-12 (February 12, 1996)
PARKED ON SLIGHT DRIVEWAY, 5 SPD-TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT WILL NOT STAY IN REVERSE ONCE ENGAGED. TRUCK HAD TO BE PULLED OUT FROM REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979011 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
48 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
8.3%Usable mileage4 / 48 records
79.2%Valid incident date38 / 48 records
100.0%Valid filing date48 / 48 records
79.2%Ordered incident and filing dates38 / 48 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 | 2004 | 2006 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 10043960WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK | 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 miWHILE 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 | 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 miI 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 | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | 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.
2017: 0 complaints · 2018: 2 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
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 | Seat Belts | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Structure:Body:Door | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10009045POSSIBLE DOOR LATCH/HANDLE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. *TT *JB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1ODI 10009045POSSIBLE DOOR LATCH/HANDLE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. *TT *JB | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.
1 patterns with matching reports.