2003 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
178 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
46,582 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 132 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 178 complaints (7.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 45 | 25.3% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 8 |
| Structure | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Air Bags: 8; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 8; Structure: 8; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 30 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 30; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
2003: 23; 2004: 22; 2005: 17; 2006: 13; 2007: 16; 2008: 14; 2009: 10; 2010: 12; 2011: 7; 2012: 8; 2013: 8; 2014: 9; 2015: 6; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038044 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS PEDAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BY ITSELF WITHOUT CONSUMER STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION, AND THAT CONSUMER NEEDED TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043652 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063153 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063452 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
VEHICLE HAS IMPROPER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL SWAYS, EVEN IF VEHICLE IS GOING STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE GEAR BOX, AND OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031026 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
I PURCHASED A MODEL 2003 CHEVROLET S10 CREW CAB IN DECEMBER OF 2002. SOMETIMES WHEN I FILL THE TANK IT OVERFLOWS, RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND MAKES A SPOT OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. IT HAS OVERFLOWED MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, USING BOTH THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST FILL SETTINGS ON THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, VENT LINES, CHARCOAL CANISTER, AND OTHER PARTS. THE CHEVROLET REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT DO ANY MORE WORK ON THE TRUCK. I TRY TO FILL THE TANK WITH THE LOWEST FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063956 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
GAS TANK OVERFILL PROTECTION. WHEN YOU FILL THE GAS TANK ON MY 2003 CHEVY S-10 CREW CAB IT WILL NOT AUTO SHUT OFF THE PUMP LEVER BEFORE THE TANK IS TOO FULL AND GAS SPRAYS OUT AND DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. HAPPENS ON EVERY FILL UP THAT IS NOT MANUALLY CONTROLLED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033716 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039420 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136827 · 2005-09-17 (September 17, 2005)
MY HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL ON 8/23/05. THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE HIT INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR. HIS AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY HUSBAND DIED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH HE DID HAVE HIS SEAT BELT ON, HIS HEAD DID BREAK THE WINDSHIELD. GEICO CAR INSURANCE TOTALED THE VEHICLE. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263928 · 2009-04-02 (April 2, 2009)
I HAVE A 2003 S-10 WITH 28,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH CO2 SENSORS AND NOW IT WON'T START. IT JUST STARTED JERKING AND THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WORK FINE. ITS GETTING GAS AND HAS A NEW BATTERY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT WANTS TO START BUT IT DOESN'T. ALSO THE RADIO COMES ON WHEN I TURN IT OFF. WHAT GIVES? THIS IS MY 3RD S-10.... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075707 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075707 at NHTSA ↗