Frame And Members problems of the 1997 Chevrolet S10

Two problems related to frame and members have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet S10. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Frame And Members problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2002

Frame is cracked, two body shops stated it is a fatigue crack due to defective metal used during the manufacturing of the vehicle. GMC has stated they are not willing to do anything as the vehicle is over the warranty, however, the vehicle is only four years old and never been in a serious accident. Both body shops, an independent shop and bob maguire Chevrolet body shop, have agreed this is not a wearable part and never should have cracked. Even with 500,000 miles the frame should not crack. I take care of my vehicles, otherwise I would not be able to get 179,000 miles on the truck. I have a 1991 Chevrolet silverado at home that has 286,000+ miles on it and still has the original frame with no cracks. I still have 10 payments left on the S10 and the truck is unsafe to drive. The body shop manager at bob maguire has informed me that he would not even drive the truck around the corner, that is how unsafe this vehicle is. I believe Chevrolet should be responsible for replacing the frame or truck, as I intended to have this truck in use for another five plus years, as I have done with my 1991 that is still on the road. I was told that I was very lucky that I noticed the crack, as it was just about to break all the way through and I would have been in a very serious accident if it had. If the entire frame is not replaced, how would one know if the vehicle will ever have its full integrity again, as other parts of the frame might have additional defects, as well. If you need any additional information, please call me. Also bruce is the body shop manager at bob maguire and is willing to answer any questions.

2 Frame And Members problem

I have replaced the leaf springs and the rear shocks and the right side of the truck measures 9 3/4 and the left is 8 3/4 from the top of the wheel well to the tire, the dealer agrees that it is off but they say it is within gm specs, they have yet to show me this book with the specs in it. I called the gm consumer hotline and they just told me the same thing as the dealer. So I e-mailed clark howard and now you, this is cousing undue wear on my tires and I have a wife and a little boy to think of, I want to know if they are being truthfull? thank you.


Other Structure related problems of the 1997 Chevrolet S10



Fuel Economy of S10 Vehicles
S10 Service Bulletins
S10 Safety Recalls
S10 Defect Investigations