2003 Chevrolet S10: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005885 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
THE REAR LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT AT THE SIDEWALL. TIRE INFO: GOODYEAR P235/75R15 DOT NO. MD111TBDR2002 PH
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015238 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ARE NOT BALANCED PROPERLY AND RESULTED IN "WOBBLING" WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO BALANCE THEM FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS (UNIROYAL P205/75R15, 1,000 MILES ON TIRES). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016535 · 2003-04-26 (April 26, 2003)
DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL DOWN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 12,083 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016537 · 2003-04-26 (April 26, 2003)
FUEL GAGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,315 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017074 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026724 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION. CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028566 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP TRUCK ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 75 GOING SOUTH AROUND EXIT FOR 9 MILE ROAD. HE MET WITH AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT A JEEP CHEROKEE. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED BY MICHIGAN STATE POLICE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOTALED IT. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS VERY BADLY DAMAGED. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT BOTH THE AIRBAGS OF THE TRUCK DID NOT ENGAGE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE OFFICER AND MY INSURANCE INSPECTOR SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED. I CALLED GM AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON 07…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,442 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028566 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V132000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-03-18 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗