The 1997 Chevrolet S-10 is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 2.2L 4-cyl and 4.3L 6-cyl engines. At 29 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 / 16–23 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900–$4,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 386–555 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations: S10 Pickup 2WD, S10 Pickup 4WD |
| Age | 29 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 1997 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: electric pickup trucks. A condition in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe.
Risk: This could wear off the corrosion protection on the brake pipe, leading to premature corrosion and eventual loss of brake pipe integrity. When brake pipe integrity is lost, brake fluid leakage can occur.
Vehicle description: generation 1 electric light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles were built with a charge port assembly that could fail during a charging event.
Risk: Heat could build up within the charge port and a fire could result.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with electric drive. Rapid fogging of the interior glass can occur within two minutes after the heat is turned on if (1) the outside temperature is between 35 and 76 degrees fahrenheit and (2) water has collected on the heat exchanger during previous operation of the air…
Risk: If rapid fogging were to occur during driving, it could obstruct the driver's vision 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.
Owners have filed 469 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with NHTSA. 63 reports involved a crash and 8 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 37 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 63 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1997 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
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 1997 Chevrolet S-10.
Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
On february 18, 2004, odi opened this recall query (rq) based on two fatality reports involving my 1997 gm S-10 pickup trucks.each report alleged that the belted driver occupant was ejected in a multiple-rotation rollover crash.the my 1997 s/t series pickups use an energy-absorbing loop in the driver seat belt that all
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.
Seat belt webbing separation
On 9/9/96 NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) performed a 35 mph barrier crash test with a 1997 Chevrolet s10 extended cab pickup.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 1997 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 6 recalls for the 1997 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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