22nd Mar 2005, 12:09
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a 99 S-10 with the V-6. I bought this truck used (from a dealer, no less!) about 18 months ago. When I bought it, it was practically in show room condition with 47k miles. I have had NO problems with this truck, mechanical or otherwise. I even lost control once (driving too fast on an unfamiliar road) and ran through a ditch and a barbed-wire fence, taking up 2 fence posts as I went. So much for show-room condition, but other than a lot of body damage and having to replace most of the front lights and windshield, the truck suffered no ill effects from the wreck. She's now at 68k and running like new. I might add that, aside from the V-6, this truck is completely base (no reclining seat handles or other niceties to break). Best 5 grand I ever spent!
17th May 2005, 00:59
Hey all, whats going on? Isn't there some way to get all these comments to GM? or would they not even care? I too have a Chevy S-10, and so far, I guess OK... my reclining handles have also broke, can we say defective, needs recalling product? now I know why I've always driven Honda... ohh well... I've learned my lesson, but thank god I didn't pay that much for it...
15th Jun 2006, 16:43
I should have checked this sight before purchasing my 99 S10. Same problems... seat handles, window trim, door doesn't shut tight, tire wear, etc. Now I have a battery light indicator light coming on. Gages indicate all is well. Still runs. Accessories work. Does any one have any suggestions? Is it time to remove the gas cap and drive a new vehicle under it?
15th Jun 2006, 20:18
Hmmm... either a lot of people are lying or the 99 model year was a piece of crap. Cause I have a friend that has a 93 I believe and it has well over 600,000 on its engine and its still going strong on their farm. And then I have another friend that has a 97 I believe and it has over 200,000 and still going strong and looks new. The S-10 was a GREAT truck and GM made a big mistake of taking these off the lot.
25th Nov 2006, 20:45
GM = Greater Maintenance.
99 S10 4x4.
After reading all the comments I've notice that a lot of problems are happening around 75,000 miles to every S10. Well here are mine.
Bought 42,000 miles.
Before purchase: New idler arm, and new oil hoses.
47,000 4x4 went out (stuck in 4hi or 2hi) Replaced encoder motor, switch and actuator
57,000 AC switch spring, Transmission oil pan leak.
70,000 Water Pump
75,000 T-Case output shaft seal
76,000 Ball joints replaced with Cheap after markets (big mistake) McCray-Norris idler arm.
80,000 New rotors and pads (drilled/slotted & Raybestos pads)
80,000 New alternator and battery (battery died due to alternator)
81,000 New swaybar linkage (American Axle)
81,000 New ball joints (McCray-Norris Extremes) Note: Whatever you do don't buy CHEAP or GM ball joints)
81,000 New bearings (old ones started to make a grinding sound louder than the when the stereo is on.
82,000 Drivers recliner handle broke.
82,000 Tail gate straps replaced (cut off the head of the pin flush and pop the shaft out with a screw driver bought new straps from Napa)
Future - Half Shafts grease is leaking.
Existing Problems - Gaskets around 3rd door window torn, rust under front doors, thud every once in awhile after shifting from 4hi to 2hi, squeaking sound from back rear wheel (emergency brake), 3RD squeaks like no tomorrow.
A note to others: if you are having front end problems in the 4x4 model swallow the bill and rebuild the front end. The GM parts don't last so do not buy GM parts get quality after markets.
Conclusion - Rethink your GM purchases. Since my recliner handle broke recently I thought I would check out the recliner handle in my fathers 2005 Colorado. Well what do you know? Exact high quality part in the new Colorado as in mine 99 S10. So I figure if GM did not get the idea of fixing the recliner problem what else have they skimped out on, on the new models.
Right now I am looking at the Frontier LB or the Tacoma LB for my next truck.
Oh... a final thought I do not run this truck hard and keep general maintenance done every 5000 miles this includes lube of the chassis. Every time a problem has occurred I try and get a fix on nit right away.
Ahhh yes just thought of another reason not to buy GM my 2000 Malibu - take a look at the carsurveys comments of the mali-blues (stay far away).
19th Dec 2006, 16:37
It's no coincidence that a large proportion of vehicles begin to experience mechanical failures at 75,000 miles. Why? Many are engineered for a 75,000 mile service life. Automakers cannot afford to produce more durable products (all else being equal) - they'd be too expensive for us. In turn, maintenance plans are designed with the intended service life in mind.
For instance, to get 75,000 miles out of a typical engine, many manufacturers recommend an oil change every 6,000 miles. That's why it's a good idea to change your oil every 3,000 (depending on driving conditions) - unless you only want 75k worry-free miles.
On a side note... as of a couple years ago, the Toyota Echo was the only car available in the US designed for a service life of at least 150,000 miles.
28th Jan 2007, 21:55
I have had my 99 S-10 for about 6 years at about 80,0000 the heater core and the water pump went out. At 85,000 the LED on the control panel went out so I can't tell how many miles the truck has, also the right front bearing went out. At 105,000 the left front bearing went out and also the compressor. I take extraordinary care of this vehicle and still it is problem after problem. The third door handle has broken a few times the seat adjuster on both seats do not work properly, the middle console is cracked. Had to replace the alternator at 95,000, U-joint is going bad also. My suggestion to anyone reading this who is considering buying an S-10 is to think again. The S-10 (4WD) is listed on consumer reports as a used vehicle bad bet meaning "be especially careful" when considering this vehicle. I wish I had seen that before I bought mine. I will never buy a Chevy again!!
18th Jan 2005, 13:12
I bought a new 1999 S-10 and have taken very good care of it. This truck has had numerous problems that are mostly annoying rather than "structural." The seat recline handles have all snapped off as noted previously by others. I have had numerous problems with the cooling system and have replaced the water pump and now the heater core is going (strong coolant smell in cab). The heater core on this vehicle is the stupidest design - impossible to check without a dash tear-down and AC drain. The rear u-joint went out at about 40K, but that was covered by warranty. The window trim does not stay in place. The truck is also full of electrical gremlins like the interior lights staying on unless manually overridden - third brake light problems too. All-in-all a poorly made vehicle.