1989 Chevrolet S10 Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,250miles, 4 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, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet S10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet S10. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and tires (6). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,250 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 3 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 belts10 21%
- Electrical system6 13%
- Tires6 13%
- Engine cooling4 8.3%
- Fuel system4 8.3%
- Body and structure4 8.3%
- Brakes3 6.3%
- Steering3 6.3%
- Other or unknown2 4.2%
- Seats2 4.2%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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 applied to exposed end of cable to prevent future freezing.”
NHTSA complaint #546868, filed 1997-02Electrical system: “Wiring harness: was driving home and smoke started coming out of the signal switch. Got the vehicle home without a fire. Drove the vehicle to the shop in the morning with the same problem. Was told by dealer that when the wires and switch were put together at the manufacturer, they put grease on them which caused the wires to melt.”
NHTSA complaint #818578, filed 1997-11Tires: “I had a tie failure on a goodrich p225/70-r14 m&s tire. The sidewall split on the tire without warning. The tire was taken to the dealer who examined it and said that the sidewall failure was due to some sort of manufacturing defect. When the other tires were examined, one of them was found to have a sidewall crack that had not yet gotten all the way thru the sidewall. The tire that failed did so at low speed so there was no wreck, but a sidewall failure at road speed could have LED to a serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10102758, filed 2004-12, 58,000 milesEngine cooling: “While driving, the consumer noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle and pulled over, a few minutes later the consumer saw a flame and exited the vehicle which became completely engulfed in flames, possible engine failure causing fire. (ohio traffic crash report)”
NHTSA complaint #557963, filed 2000-12Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 78,500 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 1989 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 | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
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.
- 93V008000Jan 14, 1993Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › FanCovers: Chevrolet S10 1989–1992, GMC S15 1989–1992
The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.
Recall details for the 1989 Chevrolet S10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP90006Lift gate falls offClosed · Apr 13, 1990
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet S10 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Chevrolet S10 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet S10 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet S10 (S10 Blazer 2WD, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 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 1989 Chevrolet S10 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,250 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 78,500 miles; 25% 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.