Used Vehicle Review: Chevrolet S10, 1994-2003

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Looking for a little springtime pick-me-up? While springtime often awakens the desire for a sports car, homeowners with landscaping on their minds might find an inexpensive used pickup truck a handy addition to the driveway.

Used pickups don’t come much cheaper than the second-generation Chevrolet S10 and GMC Sonoma compacts, introduced in 1994. To get right to the point, used values start at about $2,400 for a 1994 S10 to a high of $9,075 for a 2003 model with a long box, according to Canadian Red Book. Sonoma values differ only by a couple hundred dollars, one way or the other, depending on model, and extended cab and 4×4 models will command some extra coin too.

The 1994 S10 and Sonoma were available with two engines: a 2.2-litre four-cylinder (120 horsepower) was standard, and a 4.3-litre V6 (190 horsepower) was available. Transmissions were a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic.

1996 GMC Sonoma. Click image to enlarge

Many owners swear that these are pretty reliable little trucks, even if the general consensus indicates otherwise. Owing to the S10/Sonoma’s mechanical similarity to the Blazer and Jimmy from the same period, expect many of the same issues: breaks that wear quickly, alternators that fail predictably around 130,000 km and flaky fuel pumps. Common S10/Sonoma problems can be found in this thread (http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2309) at S10Planet.com; issues include hard starting in 1994 models with throttle body fuel injection; valve train noise in early (mid-1990s) models with the 4.3-litre V6 due to inadequate lubrication and bad valve guide seals on the exhaust valves; and carbon build-up on the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve can cause a rough idle. Also, mid-1990’s models with GM’s 4L60E automatic transmission are prone to leaks due to a poorly-fitted pump bushing in the transmission valve body. Even if reliability isn’t always terrific, parts should be easy to find and repairs simple to make.

1998 GMC Sonoma. Click image to enlarge

Crash safety is middling at best, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That organization gave the S10/Sonoma anywhere from one to three stars in its frontal impact tests; a 1998 model earned four stars. Side impact test results earned the S10 three stars for extended cab models and four stars for regular cab trucks. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the S10/Sonoma a “mediocre” rating, citing poor dummy movement control during the test, which indicated a high risk of injury.

It’s worth noting that older versions of these second-generation trucks were introduced before dual front airbags were standard, so very early trucks have none. In 1995, a driver’s side airbags was made standard; dual front airbags were standard from 1998 onward. These trucks got rear-wheel anti-lock brakes in 1994 and 1995; four-wheel ABS was standard from 1996 on.

2000 GMC Sonoma. Click image to enlarge

According to Natural Resources Canada, city fuel consumption ranges from 10.7 to 11.5 L/100 km for four-cylinder models, while V6 models are rated anywhere between about 14 to 16 L/100 km. On the highway, four-cylinder models use between 7.5 and 8.5 L/100 km, and V6 models drink around 10 L/100 km. The variations can be attributed to rear-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive, and manual versus automatic transmissions.

The S10 and Sonoma wouldn’t be among my first choices for a daily driver, as there are more reliable, more refined and roomier trucks out there that can be had for a little more cash. Notable among these is the Nissan Frontier. I would, however, recommend the GM trucks for someone who wants a simple and basic truck for hauling stuff; the torquey 4.3-litre V6 is well-suited to towing tasks. For these jobs, the S10 and Sonoma’s low prices, reasonable reliability and simple-and-easy-to-fix design make these little trucks a decent value.

1991-1996: Certain four wheel drive vehicles may experience increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode. A switch can erroneously signal the ABS system that the vehicle is in four-wheel drive when the vehicle is actually in two wheel drive. Correction: Dealers will replace the switch on affected vehicles.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1994180; Units affected: 1496

1994: NOTE – VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2 LITRE ENGINES. THE VACUUM HOSE MAY DETACH FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE BACKFIRE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED ENGINE IDLE AND LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST AFTER DEPLETION OF THE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVE. A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER COMBINED WITH INCREASED ENGINE RPM WHEN MINIMAL STOPPING DISTANCES ARE REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE AT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE END.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1994013; Units affected: 5,547

1994: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.301- FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION. THUS WHEN TESTED TO C.M.V.S.S.301 THE VEHICLE MAY LEAK FUEL IN EXCESS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION- FUEL FILLER PIPES WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1996094; Units affected: 2,020

1996: THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITHE C.M.V.S.S. 1105 – EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. FUEL INJECTORS MAY EXHIBIT LEAKAGE OF FUEL VAPOUR DUE TO A STRESS OF THE PLASTIC ENCAPSULANT. CORRECTION: FUEL INJECTORS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR INVOLVED DATE CODES AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1996040; Units affected: 808

1996: NOTE – 2-WHEEL DRIVE WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN PARTS WHICH ARE NOT MACHINED TO SPECIFICATION. THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING OPERATED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE AND OF THE TORQUE DOES NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATION CRITERIA, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003064; Units affected: 323,584

1997: Certain vehicles (not involved in recall 98-150), may experience a windshield wiper failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver’s visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will replace defective wiper motor until 7 years or 112 000 km from date vehicle was originally placed into service or for those vehicles currently outside of this coverage, until March 31 2004.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001263; Units affected: 63,484

1998-1999: Certain vehicles: Light duty trucks. passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. NO. 118, “POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION & ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS.” When the hazard flasher switch is used to turn the hazard flashers on or off, the retained accessory power (RAP) feature can be activated without a key in the ignition. Correction: There is no detrimental effect on vehicle safety so no corrective action is necessary.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997201; Units affected: 775

1998: DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CLIP COULD MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULD IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 2000055; Units affected: 984

2000: Certain vehicles may have an Antilock Braking System (ABS) motor containing an out of specification spring clip which could in time become misaligned. This could cause retainer bearing friction, higher motor current draw and eventually render the ABS non-functional. This would cause the warning lights to illuminate and the Dynamic Rear Proportional (DRP) system to become inoperative. The base brakes would still remain functional and if the operator were to ignore the red brake warning light, the higher rear brake input could cause rear wheel lock up with the possibility of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the back pressure module valve assembly.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999151; Units affected: 24

2000: Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS. 105 – Hydraulic Brake Systems. The right hand ABS module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts may have been tightened without seating the pipe flared ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. If the seating seal is broken, brake fluid leakage could occur. Correction: Dealers will inspect the union for signs of brake fluid and, if necessary, install a new union.

Transport Canada Recall Number: 2004105; Units affected: 1,018

2003-2004: On certain vehicles, the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) caution label contains an incorrect statement. However, in every case, the owner’s manual provided with the vehicle correctly describes the acceptable rear-facing child seat location for the particular vehicle configuration. Correction: A correct pressure-sensitive sunshade label and instructions for its application are to be mailed to owners.

Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.

For information on recalls, see Transport Canada’s web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.lemonaidcars.com.