The 1987 Chevrolet S10 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 144,658 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING96V1950001996-10-08144,598 affected
Defect
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOOSENS AT THE STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR COUPLING. WITH THIS LOOSENESS, THE YOKE PINCH BOLT CAN WEAR ON THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT UNTIL THERE IS NO LONGER AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPLINES AND THE BOLT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODY TO CHASSIS MOVEMENT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE UPPER AND LOWER BOLTS TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
STEERING87V0210001987-02-2560 affected
Defect
INNER TIE ROD TO RELAY ROD NUTS ON STEERING LINKAGE MAY BE IIMPROPERLY TORQUED AND NOT CRIMPED.
Consequence
LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO INNER TIE RODDISENGAGEMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A TRUCKCRASH.
Remedy
REPLACE STEERING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
Total complaints44
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“On 8-06-2005 while driving 45 to 50 m.p.h. On county road jb in racine county the front drivers tire separated causing damage to the fender,inner fender,ripped the bolt out,ripped out the directional light, and damage drivers rocker panel. The driver side rear tire and passenger front tires are…”
“Backing out and was turning the wheel. Shifted into drive, and engine started to roar. Rpm's were up. Took off. Was out of control, and was spinning several times. Then, hit a snow mobile trailer which stopped vehicle from spinning. Pedal was in normal position. Foot was not on brakes or…”
“While consumer's son was washing the front of vehicle one of the headlights shattered, causing severe cuts to son's hand and face. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Mounting bracket to alternator and power steering bracket broke 3 times in 4 years, and it caused vehicle to lose power . This seemed to be a design flaw. Dealer didn't see it as a problem. *ak”
“While driving passenger's rear right axle broke off.there was an closed investigation for the rear axle shaft ea89-003. *ak”
“The driver's floor does not secure the floor mat, causing the floormat to hold the gas pedal, and almost caused an accident. *ak”
“Fuel tank rusted due to a manufacturer's defect which was replaced, and after five years has rusted again, dealer will not replace because warranty has expired.*jb”
“While driving vehicle, heard a loud noise; vehice had stopped moving & was coasting; steered to side of rd. Turned it off, looked beneath vehicle & noticed rear axle was split/broke in half; rear wheels turned outward. Not at dealer. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA89003 Opened 1988-11-07 · closed 1990-08-24
REAR AXLE SHAFT
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE88002 Opened 1987-10-09 · closed 1988-04-22
FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME 1987 GMC S/T MODEL TRUCKS MAYEXPERIENCE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUPPORT BRACE. THISCONDITION CAN IN TURN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERINGPUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND/OR LOSS OF THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY DRIVEBELT. LOSS OF THE DRIVE BELT WOULD RESULT IN…
InvestigationPE88047 Opened 1988-04-19 · closed 1988-11-07
REAR AXLE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE90039 Opened 1990-02-05 · closed 1990-06-29
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet S10 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.