1990 Chevrolet S10 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,858miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Chevrolet S10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet S10. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and fuel system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,858 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fan filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes10 34%
- Engine cooling4 14%
- Fuel system4 14%
- Body and structure3 10%
- Equipment2 6.9%
- Seat belts2 6.9%
- Tires2 6.9%
- Interior lighting1 3.5%
- Other or unknown1 3.5%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “A jeep with a bike mounted on a bike rack stopped quickly in front of me. I hit my brakes, but quickly lost braking effectiveness and the brake pedal went to the floor. I tried to swerve, but hit the rear of the jeep, damaging the bike and bike rack. Severe damage to my grille, drivers side front fender and headlight, and radiator mount. After exchanging insurance information, I noticed brake fluid on ground, by the fuel tank on drivers side. Limped home (about 2 blocks). No brakes other than emergency brake. Subsequent inspection revealed failed brake line and severe rust on most brake lines.”
NHTSA complaint #10572700, filed 2014-03, 98,858 milesFuel system: “Gas tank explodes if an electrical connector is connected backwards because 12 volts is supplied to the sensor circuit, causing it to burn out and emit sparks.”
NHTSA complaint #524179, filed 1997-12Mileage 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 98,858 and 98,858 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Chevrolet S10. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-10 · coupe | not rated | 2 / 1 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Blazer 2WD | 4.3L 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 Blazer 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S10 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 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 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| S10 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 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.
- 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.
- 90V030000Feb 12, 1990Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Chevrolet S10 1990, T10 1990, GMC S10 1990 +1 more
Nut attaching steering wheel may have been insufficiently tightened and a nut retainer may be missing.
Recall details for the 1990 Chevrolet S10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet S10 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Chevrolet S10 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1990 Chevrolet S10 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet S10 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Chevrolet S10 (S10 Blazer 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Chevrolet S10 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,858 miles and the middle half falls between 98,858 and 98,858 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 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.