1998 Chevrolet S10 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 204about this part
- Share
- 33%of 613 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 204 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 33% of the 613 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Windshield wipers on my 1998 s-10 will stop working for no reason. Will remain off for an indeterminate time and will sometimes change operation even though I have not touched the operating knob. 1995-1997 s-10 pickups were recalled for the very same problem. This has been happening during almost every rain storm for almost 2 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10265615, filed 2009-04, 58,000 miles“The wipers on my 1998 Chevrolet s-10 frequently stop operating and when they do come back on they will not turn off. They have shut down during a rain and have caused me to have to pull out of traffic when I could and wait for them to come back on, most times they have to be turned off completely, and sometimes will not come back on. I believe this is a serious safety hazard and should be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10234719, filed 2008-07, 55,247 miles“I own a 1998 chevy s-10. The windshield wipers have stopped working after months of very sporadic behavior. This behavior began after only 19,000 miles. The consequences of wipers not working are obviously grave. Faulty circuit board has to be replaced (the same board involved in the 1997 recall). I have heard and read of many, many others with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10139527, filed 2005-10, 20,000 miles“My 1998 s-10 pickup wipers will fail without notice at any setting of the intermittant switch. I replaced the switch assembly but that did not help the problem. Somwetimes they will restart by wiggling the wires going to the wiper motor. This is very dangerous because when it fails in a downpour you can not see how to get off the road. The problem has existied the last 3 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10144227, filed 2005-12, 38,000 miles“I own a '98 chevy s-10. Gm has recalled s-10's thru '97 for faulty wiper circuit boards. My wipers failed in a rain storm and nearly caused an accident. They refuse to work with me on getting the situation resolved. It can't be an isolated to my vehicle since there is documented history of trouble with GM's wipers.”
NHTSA complaint #10067829, filed 2004-04, 72,450 milesRelated recalls
- 98V177000Aug 4, 1998Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with electric drive. Rapid fogging of the interior glass can occur within two minutes after the heat is…Covers: Chevrolet S10 1997–1998
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 14% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 204 | 33% |
| 1997 | 117 | 25% |
| 1996 | 100 | 15% |
| 1995 | 207 | 23% |
| 1994 | 241 | 25% |
| 1993 | 10 | 4% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1991 | 3 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet S10
77 complaintsEngine cooling
51 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsSeats
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 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 30, 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