1988 Chevrolet S10 Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet S10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet S10. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (16% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and fuel system (5). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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.
- Brakes6 16%
- Engine cooling6 16%
- Fuel system5 14%
- Electrical system4 11%
- Seat belts4 11%
- Steering3 8.1%
- Body and structure3 8.1%
- Tires3 8.1%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Got stuck in snow in driveway. Going from forward to reverse caused excessive movement of front a frames. Upon pulling into garage saw brake fluid leaking onto floor due to a broken brake hose.”
NHTSA complaint #819082, filed 1997-11Engine cooling: “Vehicle was serviced for an electronic control module and fuel pump 2 days later consumer noticed a rattling and saw smoke coming from the vehice, pulled over, exited vehicle and saw fire under the hood and noticed radiator fluid pouring onto the ground, possibble engine failure. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #554225, filed 2000-08Complaints 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 1988 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 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
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.
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet S10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet S10 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet S10 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (16% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet S10 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Chevrolet S10 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet S10 (S10 Blazer 2WD, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.