2004 Chevrolet S10 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 21 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 28.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
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 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 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 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10075598 · 2004-06-02 (June 2, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125581 · 2005-07-08 (July 8, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223227 · 2008-04-03 (April 3, 2008)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,777 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326080 · 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
CHEVY S-10 QUAD CAB CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION; PASSENGER SEAT WAS ADJUSTED (ELECTRIC SEAT WITH HEAT) SMELLED SMOKE AND PARKED VEHICLE TOOK KEYS AND EXITED VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER. VEHICLE BURNED ALL WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD MELTED. NO FLAMES SEEN ONLY SMOKE, ALL WIRING MELTED UNDER THE SEAT AND CARPET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO ELECTRICAL ITEM WOULD TURN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED ON BACK OF FLAT BED TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT WAS PINCHED BY THE SEAT TRACK. THE COS…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478488 · 2012-10-03 (October 3, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE AND REINSERT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHAT THE EXACT FUSE WAS THAT WAS BEING REMOVED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10478488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10846432 · 2016-03-14 (March 14, 2016)
THE FUEL TANK ON MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED WHERE THE INLET TUBE CONNECTS TO THE TANK , CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS A RECALL BY CHEVROLET FOR THE SAME CONDITION ON 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH THE PLASTIC TANK. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DISCONTINUED THE TANK FOR REPLACEMENT AND WILL NOT VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TANK ALSO. THE TANK EMITS GAS FUMES OUT OF THE CRACKS DUE TO EGR PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 149,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10846432 at NHTSA ↗