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2004 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet S10 are lower than the model-year median of 42.5.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 42.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2004 Chevrolet S10

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 21 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4 reports
  • Air Bags: 3 reports
  • Electrical System: 3 reports
  • Structure: 3 reports
  • Visibility: 3 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
308
2001214
2002178
200321
20041
2006
Compare all S10 years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Air Bags
3Electrical System
3Structure
3Visibility
3
All reported categories
Power Train
2Steering
2Suspension
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
75,000 miles · Nov 20, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE COLLAPSED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO STRIKE THE BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE COLLAPSED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO STRIKE THE BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10485304

840,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
Structure

I HAVE A 2004 S-10 PICKUP AND HAD A NEARMISS A PERSON WAS SITTING ON MY TAILGATE AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE AND THE RIGHT ONE IS BULGING I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE HOW DO I GET THESE CABLES CHANGED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288605

92,000 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2004 CHEVROLET S-10 CREW CAB TRUCK TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE CABLES EACH BROKE IN THE CENTER CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO DROP AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER. CONTACTED CHEVY ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL POLICY 06020 TO REPLACE THE KNOWN DEFECT, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 2000-2003. HOWEVER, 2004 USES THE SAME CABLES. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER TO REP…

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVROLET S-10 CREW CAB TRUCK TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE CABLES EACH BROKE IN THE CENTER CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO DROP AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER. CONTACTED CHEVY ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL POLICY 06020 TO REPLACE THE KNOWN DEFECT, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 2000-2003. HOWEVER, 2004 USES THE SAME CABLES. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE CABLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258553

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.