The 1996 Chevrolet S-10 is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 2.2L 4-cyl and 4.3L 6-cyl engines. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Small Pickup Trucks, Standard Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 15–20 city / 20–27 highway / 17–23 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900–$3,950 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 386–523 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations: S10 Pickup 2WD, S10 Pickup 4WD |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 1996 Chevrolet S-10. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Risk: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from september 1989 through august 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Risk: If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
Risk: Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Risk: If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.
Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to gm's specifications.
Risk: These transmissions could seize and lock the rear drive wheels while the truck is being driven causing a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Owners have filed 673 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet S-10 with NHTSA. 111 reports involved a crash and 12 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 55 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 31 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Chevrolet S-10. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tes
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get t
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 1996 Chevrolet S-10.
Spare tire separation from vehicle
Separation of spare tire from vehicle
Alleged that wire cable/winch assembly which holds the spare tire/wheel assembly uder the rear of the vehicle may fail, allowing the tire to fall from the vehicle while in motion
Seat belt webbing separation
NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 Chevrolet S-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 S-10s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet S-10; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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