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1990 Chevrolet S10 Blazer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 S10 Blazer.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1990 Chevrolet S10 Blazer is a truck-based SUV that pairs a 4-speed automatic transmission with an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, while its engine takes 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. In the broader reliability picture, this model year accumulated 32 owner complaints—most frequently targeting the service brakes, hydraulic system—and was subject to 6 recalls, marking it as a year with a moderate but focused set of concerns that prospective owners should weigh.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	10.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.0 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

80 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Clutch Release Lever Pivot Points (lubricate) · EGR System (inspect) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Distributor Cap (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet S10 Blazer lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 8 of 32 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 32 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic8

Engine & Engine Cooling5

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Tires2

Structure2

Equipment2

Suspension2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 12 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
130089009	2013-09-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
020730024A	2005-08-01	Power Train	DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
990730016A	2002-10-01	Power Train	DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR…
000601019	2000-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L…
990941004	2000-01-01	Air Bags	INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND…