1996 Chevrolet S10 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 10%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,664miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Chevrolet S10, 10% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,664 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“For years my chevy s-10 1996 2wd truck would suddenly shut off on the road often at highway speeds. Chevy looked at the truck many times and always said they couldn't duplicate the problem. One time they talked me into a brand new transmission at 36100 miles. They didn't honor the warranty even though they said that the transmission was the shutoff problem and happened before the 36k warranty limit. That cost me nearly 4000 dollars. They truck continued to shut itself off while driving for years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573297, filed 2014-03, 3,000 miles“Oil cooler line: the metal tubing in the lower oil cooled line rest on top of the steering gear assembly. A hole wore through the tubing due to being in direct contact with the gear box causing complete loss of engine oil while driving, loss of braking on driver side (due to oil spray on brake rotor) and near seizure of engine. I stopped on the side of the road to prevent major damage to the engine and possible fire in engine compartment. As of this writing I am still not aware if any occurred (engine damage).”
NHTSA complaint #10029179, filed 2003-07, 130,000 miles“Vehicle fire due to transfer case fluid being expelled from vent hose onto the right exhaust manifold. This is the third fire in 1995 and 1996 s-series GM trucks I have investigated in the past twelve months that have had the same origin of an engine compartment fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10078693, filed 2004-06, 108,328 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet s-10. While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle stopped accelerating and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the transmission locked. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 99,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10366691, filed 2010-11, 99,000 miles“In august of 1996 I purchased a 1996 s-10 pickup from reliable Chevrolet in albuquerque. It was sold as a vehicle with 26 miles on it instead of the actual 7064 miles it really had. I had never bought a new car and they saw me coming. The legal part of that contract is being reviewed by the attorney general of new mexico and senator domenici. I notified Chevrolet in michigan immediately, telling them about the fraudulent contract and the slippage in the transmission. I rarely drove other than to my two jobs. …”
NHTSA complaint #718475, filed 2000-02Related recalls
- 96V035000Feb 22, 1996Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to gm's specifications.Covers: Chevrolet S10 1996, GMC S15 1996, Sonoma 1996
Related service bulletins
- 10013572Apr 21, 20054wd models with noise, vibration on dry pavement.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 10% |
| 2003 | 17 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 6% |
| 2000 | 46 | 10% |
| 1999 | 28 | 12% |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% |
| 1997 | 49 | 10% |
| 1996 | 68 | 10% |
| 1995 | 50 | 5% |
| 1994 | 37 | 4% |
| 1993 | 9 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 11 | 6% |
| 1989 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 4 | 36% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
| 1983 | 3 | 43% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet S10
222 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaintsAir bags
74 complaintsEngine cooling
71 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 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