1996 Chevrolet S10 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 11%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 11% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer had the same problem as the recall on the ABS light illuminating. Dealer would not repair because VIN was not included. The vehicle check engine light illuminated and the dealer indicated that the oxygen sensor was bad, the radiator leaked, the head gasket had blown and the water pump leaked.”
NHTSA complaint #10024971, filed 2003-06, 79,000 miles“Dt: one of the circuit board shorted out, and the vehicle will not start. Everytime starting the vehicle smoke comes out of the vehicle, and one can smell burning plastic. Saturday got the oil changed and didn't notice any problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10125329, filed 2005-06, 172,813 miles“While driving, I notice white smoke in my rear view mirror. Checked all my gauges, which were all fine, and the vehicle was running like normal. I pulled over to the side of the road, and when I got the vehicle stopped, black smoke started entering the driver's compartment. I turned the vehicle off and got out. I opened the hood to find that my engine was on fire. As of this time, I do not know what caused it.”
NHTSA complaint #10047383, filed 2003-11“At 61,000 miles the head gasket blew. At the time there was no recall for this item. I called the dealer and was informed that this repair would be over $900. With no choice at hand, I did the repair myself. I completed the job in about 14 hours, plus the expenses of the parts. I didn't save my receipts because I didn't have any reason to believe I would need them. However, I did save the head gasket.some months later, I received a letter from Chevrolet stating this was a factory defect and would be reimbursed for the work. …”
NHTSA complaint #761130, filed 2002-04“Engine quit on me going 65mph, couldn't get motor started for 45 minutes, brought into shop several times and they didn't know what was wrong so I ended up getting rid of it.”
NHTSA complaint #743966, filed 2001-04Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 5% |
| 2003 | 11 | 6% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 25 | 8% |
| 2000 | 30 | 6% |
| 1999 | 22 | 10% |
| 1998 | 51 | 8% |
| 1997 | 40 | 9% |
| 1996 | 71 | 11% |
| 1995 | 84 | 9% |
| 1994 | 66 | 7% |
| 1993 | 16 | 7% |
| 1992 | 9 | 5% |
| 1991 | 18 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 14% |
| 1989 | 4 | 8% |
| 1988 | 6 | 16% |
| 1987 | 4 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 3 | 27% |
| 1984 | 3 | 38% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet S10
222 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaintsAir bags
74 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsEquipment
36 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet S10
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology