1987 Chevrolet S10 Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 83,395miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet S10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet S10. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and engine cooling (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,395 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts7 26%
- Brakes4 15%
- Engine cooling4 15%
- Fuel system4 15%
- Body and structure4 15%
- Electrical system2 7.4%
- Exterior lighting2 7.4%
- Tires2 7.4%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #541621, filed 1998-09Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #863684, filed 2000-06Fuel system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #816264, filed 1997-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,395 and 83,395 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Chevrolet S10 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 96V195000Oct 8, 1996Steering › Gear box › Shaft sectorCovers: Chevrolet S10 1987–1995
The intermediate steering shaft loosens at the steering shaft to steering gear coupling. With this looseness, the yoke pinch bolt can wear on the splines of the shaft until there is no longer an interference between the splines and the bolt.
- 87V021000Feb 25, 1987Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assemblyCovers: Chevrolet S10 1987, GMC S15 1987
Inner tie rod to relay rod nuts on steering linkage may be iimproperly torqued and not crimped.
Recall details for the 1987 Chevrolet S10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE88002Frctr of p/s pump brcktClosed · Oct 9, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Chevrolet S10.
Other model years of the Chevrolet S10
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 21 | 63,250 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Falling |
| 2003 | 178 | 46,582 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 214 | 48,406 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 308 | 49,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 471 | 60,300 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 231 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 613 | 71,125 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 469 | 83,000 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 668 | 79,500 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 911 | 115,500 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 967 | 86,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 233 | 131,300 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 180 | 82,163 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 174 | 132,000 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 29 | 98,858 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 48 | 68,250 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 37 | — | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 27 | 83,395 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet S10 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet S10 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Chevrolet S10 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1987 Chevrolet S10 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Chevrolet S10 get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Chevrolet S10 (S10 Blazer 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Chevrolet S10 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,395 miles and the middle half falls between 83,395 and 83,395 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.