1996 Chevrolet S10 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 3%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 3% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The consumer stated that the upper ball joints failed. The dealer was notified. The upper and lower ball joints (left & right), upper control arms (left & right) and the sway bars links were replaced. The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in recall # 01i018000 due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10027001, filed 2003-08, 85,000 miles“Drivers side upper ball joint broke (housing ), this allowed the wheel to tilt in towards the engine compartment. Thank goodness this happened at a low speed while I was backing out of my drive way. The ball joint did not fail due to a lack of lubrication. This could have been disastorous. There was minor damage to the aluminum wheel on the inside.”
NHTSA complaint #742649, filed 2001-03“While driving at approximately 30 to 35 MPH heard a bang from front of vehicle which caused steering wheel to jerk. Consumer was able to bring vehicle to a stop at side of road. A private mechanic inspected vehicle, and stated that front control arm broke. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #885728, filed 2001-04“Rear axle fell off while moving. Luckily in bumper to bumper traffic therfore truck did not turn over. Could have caused fatal accident. Mechanic said inferior plastic parts used. Furthermore, anti- lock breaks malfunction when the ground is wet/damp. The fly wheel is gone. The airconditioner is broken. The clutch is going out. The tail gate is boken. Not to mention 7 recalls already.”
NHTSA complaint #713325, filed 1999-10“Turn signals malfunctioned. The A/C stopped working due to a faulty evaporator. The stabilizer bar broke on right side which caused drift/pull. Engine coolant/antifreeze leaked. The ball joint for the right-front tire gave out. The alternator had to be fixed and replaced the battery. Speedometer seemed to be off by 5 MPH. The windshield wipers would not work properly and stopped in the middle of a down-pour. The device to lower the spare tire had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10020819, filed 2003-05Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 10% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 6% |
| 2001 | 17 | 6% |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% |
| 1999 | 9 | 4% |
| 1998 | 24 | 4% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
| 1996 | 22 | 3% |
| 1995 | 24 | 3% |
| 1994 | 21 | 2% |
| 1993 | 6 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 8 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet S10
222 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaintsAir bags
74 complaintsEngine cooling
71 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsEquipment
36 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 31, 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