CarBrief

NHTSA has 613 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Chevrolet S10 Pickup[1]. Visibility is the biggest group[2].

613owner complaints[1]
6recalls[3]
16–22MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Here are the biggest complaint groups in the stories we read.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 1998 S10 Pickup is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[18] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050
S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[19] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[20] 16 / 21 / 18 $3,700
S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[21] 14 / 19 / 16 $4,200
S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[22] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
S10 Electric, Lead Acid, Automatic (A1), Electricity[23] 52 / 58 / 55 n/a
S10 Electric, NiMH, Automatic (A1), Electricity[24] 28 / 28 / 28 n/a

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 2 DR None[25].

How 1998 compares with other years

1995: 918 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 673 complaints, 7 recalls19961997: 469 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 613 complaints, 6 recalls61319981999: 231 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 471 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 308 complaints, 1 recalls20012002: 214 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 178 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 21 complaints, 1 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S10 Pickup model year. The 1998 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19959185
19966737
19974696
19986136
19992310
20004714
20013081
20022140
20031781
2004211

NHTSA's counts for the S10 Pickup show 613 complaints and 6 recalls for 1998[3]. Among the 10 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 1998 and 2 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2004 (21) and the most are for 1995 (918)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1998 S10 Pickup?

This truck has a long complaint record, with 613 reports on file[1]. Visibility leads the list, while brakes and air bags carry more crash reports[5][11]. Fires show up in the electrical and engine groups[6][7]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide for what to inspect. Check the Recalls section on this page too[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet S10?
Visibility has the most complaints, followed by brakes and engine[2][5][6]. See the problems section above.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?
Yes. The pack lists 6 recalls for this year[3]. See the Recalls section on this page.
How is the gas mileage on the 1998 Chevrolet S10?
See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
NHTSA has 613 owner complaints on file[1]. Read the problems and verdict sections to judge for yourself.
Is 1998 the best year for the S10?
See the by-year comparison section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet S10 Pickup

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet S10 Pickup

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 1998: pickup trucks

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 613 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Chevrolet S10 Pickup (61 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 40 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 200 complaints name the visibility component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet S10 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 76 complaints name the brakes component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,128). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 52 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 50 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 48 complaints name the seats component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 40 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 39 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 37 complaints name the air bags component group (36 crashes, 0 fires, 20 injuries, median mileage at failure 123,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 00V374, filed November 13, 2000: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 00V220, filed August 11, 2000: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 00V159, filed June 16, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 98V177, filed August 4, 1998: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 97V208, filed November 25, 1997: Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 97V218, filed November 24, 1997: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for S10 Electric, Lead Acid, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 55 MPGe combined, 33 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for S10 Electric, NiMH, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 28 MPGe combined, 72 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.