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2003 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2003
Power Train

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVESHAFT FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO POOR DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10048627

13,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Power TrainCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER. THEN, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HIT A GUARD RAIL, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PCM NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER TRIED TO REPROGRAM THE SYSTEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10048263

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH EMISSIONS (SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON,)WASNT FIRING (DEALER SAID COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH RADIO DOESNT TURN DOWN ANY MORE WHEN VECHILE SLOWS DOWN DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. ALSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH AUTO-TRANSMISSION ROLLS BACK ON HILL AFTER TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE, DEALER SAYS COULDNT FIND …

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IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH EMISSIONS (SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON,)WASNT FIRING (DEALER SAID COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH RADIO DOESNT TURN DOWN ANY MORE WHEN VECHILE SLOWS DOWN DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. ALSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH AUTO-TRANSMISSION ROLLS BACK ON HILL AFTER TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE, DEALER SAYS COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAD IT. ALSO REAR VENDER MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED CAME AWAY FROM BODY TWICE TO FIX THAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10043652

7,300 miles · Sep 26, 2003
Power Train

TAILGATE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. ONE SIDE STAYED ATTATCHED CAUSING TAILGATE TO DRAG. ALSO, ENGINE MAKES HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE BETWEEN 4000-4500 RPMS. ALSO 5TH GEAR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT OWN THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. ALSO, MOLDING AROUND FRONT WIND…

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TAILGATE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. ONE SIDE STAYED ATTATCHED CAUSING TAILGATE TO DRAG. ALSO, ENGINE MAKES HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE BETWEEN 4000-4500 RPMS. ALSO 5TH GEAR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT OWN THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. ALSO, MOLDING AROUND FRONT WINDSHIELD LIKES TO MELT.

NHTSA ODI #10039598

500 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE, HESITATION FROM A STOP WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR SHIFTS ERADICALLY, 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGES AFTER ENGAGEING, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10039420

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP ACCELERATION HESITATES SOMETIMES. *MR THE TRANSMISSION WAS DELAYED WHEN SHIFTING, AT TIMES WHEN HOT, THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT TO OVER DRIVE. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10033716

4,600 miles · May 5, 2003
Power Train

VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 45-55 MPH HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK FIVE TIMES DEALER HAS WORKED ON IT TWICE REPLACING THE TIRES, WITH SAME BRAND ONCE STILL NO IMPROVEMENT SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. GM ADVISES ME TO CALL DEALER, DEALER ADVISES ME TO CALL GM. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #10017074

Official recalls

1

04V132000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 18, 2004

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.