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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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all S10 years →

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

What owners actually said

21 reports
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…

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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

15,777 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

VEHICLE PURCHASED 2/23/04 NEW 2004 S-10 CLUB CAB - IN FEB 05 WAS RETURNED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK - BOTH ENG. OIL COOLER HOSES REPLACED. ALSO FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC THEY REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN TANK REPLACED MILEAGE 15777. AT THAT TIME THE 4WD WAS NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NO REPAIR …

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VEHICLE PURCHASED 2/23/04 NEW 2004 S-10 CLUB CAB - IN FEB 05 WAS RETURNED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK - BOTH ENG. OIL COOLER HOSES REPLACED. ALSO FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC THEY REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN TANK REPLACED MILEAGE 15777. AT THAT TIME THE 4WD WAS NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NO REPAIR WAS MADE. MARCH 9, 2005 MOTOR HAD A TICKING NOISE - A LIFTER COLLAPSED AND REPLACED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKET. THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK - THEY FOUND THE REAR EXTENSION HOUSING LEAKING -THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT WAS REMOVED AND SEAL REPLACED. OCT 10, 2005 TRANSMISSION LEAK AND ENGINE NOISE UNDER ACCELERATION - REAR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SEAL REPLACED AND ENGINE PRESSURE CHECK. MARCH 30, 2006 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND EXHAUST SYSTEM RATTLING - THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MILEAGE 34,997 JUNE 2007 TAIL LIGHT ON RIGHT NOT WORKING - WIRING ISSUES REPAIRED TWICE. NOVEMBER 2007 GRINDING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO 4WD BUT ONCE PUT BACK INTO 2WD OKAY. MARCH 2008 - 4WD MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN ENGAGED AND ALSO MAKING CONTINUING NOISE WHEN IN 2WD - FOUND TO BE TRANSAXLE GOING OUT. WIPER MOTOR GUIT - REPLACED. MILEAGE NOW 74,540 THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW DRIVING WITH THE TRANSAXLE GOING OUT. LOVE TRUCK SIZE AND COMFORT BUT TO MANY PROBLEMS. WILL PROBABLY GO WITH DIFFERENT BRAND NEXT PURCHASE BUT ONLY AFTER MUCH RESEARCH. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON TRANSAXLE ISSUE AND FEEL MANUFACTURER. SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223227

11,540 miles · Sep 11, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATED, WHICH WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATED, WHICH WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,540 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,881.

NHTSA ODI #10202475

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. ALL THAT REMAINED WAS A REMNANT OF THE TIRE AND THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC, VALLEY TIRE, WHERE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. ALL THAT REMAINED WAS A REMNANT OF THE TIRE AND THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC, VALLEY TIRE, WHERE THE TIRES WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD FOUR GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES , SIZE P235/75R15. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187763

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2006
Visibility

THE FRONT WINDOWS ON MY TRUCK WOULD COME OFF TRACK WHILE BEING ROLLED UP WHEN TRAVELING. I DRIVE A 2004 CHEVROLET S10 CREW CAB. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. EVERY TIME I TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS FIXED, BUT IT WASN'T. THEN THEY FOUND OUT FROM GM THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THE SAM…

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THE FRONT WINDOWS ON MY TRUCK WOULD COME OFF TRACK WHILE BEING ROLLED UP WHEN TRAVELING. I DRIVE A 2004 CHEVROLET S10 CREW CAB. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. EVERY TIME I TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS FIXED, BUT IT WASN'T. THEN THEY FOUND OUT FROM GM THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THE SAME TRUCKS. SO GM TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO PUT SHIMS IN THE WINDOWS TO KEEP THEM ON TRACK. SINCE THIS HAS BEEN FIXED I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO CHEVROLET AGAIN FOR THE WINDOW MOTOR BURNING OUT FROM THE PRESSURE THE SHIMS WERE PUTTING ON THE MOTOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10149032

13,500 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM; THE ROTORS WERE WARPED NOT AND THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. IN WARMER WEATHER THE VIBRATION BECAME WORSE.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10125581

6,600 miles · Jun 28, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO BECOME AIR BORN. WHEN THE VEHICLE DESCENDED IT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO T…

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WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO BECOME AIR BORN. WHEN THE VEHICLE DESCENDED IT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LEGS, CHEST, AND ARMS. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080071

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PINION WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075598

4,000 miles · May 7, 2004
Power Train

SEEMS TO BE BINDING IN DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT FROM A STOP. DEALER (CARMAX) FOUND NOTHING DURRING TEST DRIVE OR ON RACK INSPECTION. I DID GET MY CONCERNS DOCUMENTED BUT NO RESOLUTION. 4000 MILES ON TRUCK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068477

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2004
Suspension

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR FRONT SUSPENSION:WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. BUT DEALERSHIP HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS. WODS REPAIRS, EAST MAIN STREET, BROCTON, NY, 14716. SERVICE MANAGER EDWARD WOODS , 1718 792 4483.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059280

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.