1998 Chevrolet S10 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 7%of 613 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 7% of the 613 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The slave cylinder fails and the clutch will no longer disengage (but it is intermitent at first). This can occur while in gear and the vehicle will have to be shut off or yanked out of gear to stop. This happend to me while I was backing up and I wound up going right over a curb just missing the car parked behind me.”
NHTSA complaint #10003525, filed 2003-01, 55,000 miles“I own an 1998 chevy S10 pick-up truck. Some time last year I started to get a p1870 trouble code. When I took it to the dealer I was told that my transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $2,300. At the time the transmission only had 61,000 miles on it. I researched the problem and found that this is a big problem with these transmissions. I believe that GM should take responsibility for this faulty transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10132718, filed 2005-08, 62,000 miles“With the air conditioner, the relays and fuses keep blowing. I have taken the vehicle to a air conditioning place and they are not sure. With the ABS, I was driving down the road in snow, I used the brakes and the anti locks came on and all lights interior and exterior cut off completely. Had to stop and restart vehicle. With the electrical problem, I was driving down the road when all ny gauges jumped then went to normal. With the transmission it has constantly slammed into second gear and third gear. I have brought to the dealer numerous timed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10009862, filed 2000-10, 27,000 miles“I was pulling into a mcdonald's drive-through lane and the silicone isolation mount where the top part of the transmission shift lever meets the bottom part coming up from the transmission broke loose. It is not possible to shift with the top lever now. It is possible to shift using the short bottom piece coming up from the transmission, but it is not easy to do so.”
NHTSA complaint #10523459, filed 2013-07, 165,000 miles“The consumer had multiple problems with this vehicle. The spark wires corroded, the head gasket leaked and the transmission did not work properly when shifted. Dealer notified. Also the radiator erupted between the transmission cooler and the cooler of the radiator.”
NHTSA complaint #10050046, filed 2004-01, 52,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10114916Oct 21, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 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 1998 Chevrolet S10
204 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsEngine cooling
51 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsSeats
48 complaintsBody and structure
39 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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