This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Seat recliner lever breaks and falls off. This applies to all 1999 Chevrolet S10 pickup and S10 Blazer. Both driver and passenger seats. Witnessed this occurrence on 4 different S10 pickup/Blazer. Metal is made of cheap cast that breaks off even with no use. Levers fall off during vacuuming/opening door and regular use. No available replacement part or remedy to my knowledge.
Both seat recliner handles have broken off. I have less that 30,000 miles on this vehicle since I only use it occasionally. The passenger side is rarely used and that recliner handle broke off first. There are numerous complaints regarding this problem which indicates a defect in the manufacturing of the recliner arms. I will contact GM to see if they will replace them.
Driver and passenger seat recliner handle broke off very easily. We are now unable to recline both seats in my truck. When I went to the dealership they said "that this was a common problem with Chevy S-10" (per the parts counter & service department). I was advised that I would need to replace the entire recliner assembly and the handle, they wanted $600 to fix this! I could buy a lazy boy recliner for that kind of money. This is totally ridiculous and they need to fix this. The parts dept. Guy told me that they redesigned this recliner because they were having so problems with the old one.
Seat recliner mechanism operates poorly. The consumer had to use one hand to pull the lever and use the other on to the seat back to get it to operate.
- John Day, OR, USA
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The recline handles on both of my seats snapped off the first time they were used. I took it ti the dealer and they said it was not covered by the warranty. I was told that I would have to replace the seats inorder to fix the problem... they also told me that I broke them by applying to much force to the seat recline levers. I am only 5,2 and I dont think I could apply that much force to break metal unless they were defective to begine with. I would accept it if only one broke but when both of them broke this is a little more than coincidence... I would like cheverolet to recall these or issue a repair part.
This is not a safety issue, I own a 1999 Chevrolet S10 Blazer with 23000 miles and have had to replace the seat recliners three times already also the oil cooler lines on a 4.3L engine have been replaced. Now I didn't think much of this until I researched it further and noticed that alot of other individuals have had same problems. I believe this would constitute a defect investigation. Thanks.
Passenger seat front recliner assembly sheared off without hardly any pressure applied... bumped slightly while vacuuming truck. Lever was used maybe 3 times, if that much.
While reclining the driver side seat, the lever broke without any force being applied. Also, the passenger side lever broke on a separate occasion. No force was used in either incidents they simply broke during normal use. The cost to repair the vehicle was approximately $186 each. GM refuses to repair the seats and they have not issued a recall knowing there is a definitely a problem with the seats. Also the door handle on the jump door extended cab broke.
While driving about 20 mph on a side road the driver's side seat shaft lever broke which caused the seat to collapse. The passenger side lever broke 11 month prior to this incident.
Seat recliner adjuster handles attach to a ferrelled piece of pot metal that is drilled and slotted to accept a screw that holds the handle. This piece of weak metal breaks easily and the handle falls off rendering the back of the seat non adjustable. Several dealers tell me they have replaced hundreds of these at a total cost of $125 (labor and parts). GM tells customers this is normal wear and can be expected.
Defective parts ---right and left seat back recliners broke in the same identical places after very little use. The right side broke with no more than 4-5 times of use. The left side broke after no more than 10 times of use. If this was a item that got used every day I would understand they might wear out. I had the extended warranty but it expires at 75000 miles so GM refuses to warranty it.
Lever to recline and raise the seat has broken, not the plastic handle, but the metal that connects the lever to the seat. The metal is very coarse & brittle and doesn't seem suited to it's intended use. Fortunately, my seat is stuck in an upright position. Unfortunately, the break occurred post warranty. Bottom line, the levers on the seats of Chevrolet S-10's are junk, not intended to last, and could result in injury if locked in an unsafe position when the break occurs.
Seat recliner handle broke off while adjusting seat while driving. Problem was reported to a Chevrolet dealer, who said there was no recall or known problem. Seat is now at a funny position, I will have to repair at my own expense. Handle assy. Is a very cheap and inadaquate for its purpose.
Driver's side seat broke while traveling on highway lever to the seat broke. Dealership is aware of problem. Consumer stated that both passenger and driver seat recliners broke.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Durham, CT, USA