CHEVROLET S10 · model year

2003 CHEVROLET S10

230 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CHEVROLETS10 carries 230 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 S10 is electrical system with 13 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (12) and service brakes (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2003 S10, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

230
Complaints
25
Crashes
1
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

230 filings

Crashes Reported

25 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
SERVICE BRAKES12
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH8
STRUCTURE8
AIR BAGS8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR6
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE6
ENGINE6
TIRES5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
WHEELS5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY4

Recalls (4)

06E06000029/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA

04V13200018/03/2004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

06E06500017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

Recent Complaints

20211020CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet S 10. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, another vehicle T-boned his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The contact stated that the air bag did not deploy and the contact hit his head on the windshield. The contact was taken from the scene to a local hospital where they initially ran a test and found no injuries on his body. The contact stated that his head remained in pain and went back to the hospital the next day. The next day, the contact was informed that a blood clot was discovered near his brain, and was transferred to another hospital for surgery. The contact was sent to outpatient rehabilitation once he was released from the hospital. The contact stated that the other driver did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was deemed a total loss and his insurance had taken possession of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. T

Mileage: 200,000

20211017AIR BAGS

Twice now while lightly applying brakes to come to a stop at an intersection the antilock brake system engaged. Since it was unexpected I almost didn't come to a stop in time before rolling into the intersection into traffic. The ABS warning indicator was illuminated intermittently before this with recorded DTC C0268 (Pump motor circuit shorted). Also the transfer case input shaft seal failed which caused transmission fluid to leak into the transfer case, completely filling it. That caused the transfer case vacuum switch to fail and transmission fluid was sucked into the vacuum lines and eat through them causing a vacuum leak. Because of the vacuum leak, whenever I would accelerate to highway speeds and the engine would use what vacuum it could, the 4WD actuator would lose its vacuum then regain it when the RPM's dropped and try to lock the front axle while at highway speeds which would cause the truck to jerk and the gears to grind. And lastly the Airbag warning indicator is always il

20211017UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Twice now while lightly applying brakes to come to a stop at an intersection the antilock brake system engaged. Since it was unexpected I almost didn't come to a stop in time before rolling into the intersection into traffic. The ABS warning indicator was illuminated intermittently before this with recorded DTC C0268 (Pump motor circuit shorted). Also the transfer case input shaft seal failed which caused transmission fluid to leak into the transfer case, completely filling it. That caused the transfer case vacuum switch to fail and transmission fluid was sucked into the vacuum lines and eat through them causing a vacuum leak. Because of the vacuum leak, whenever I would accelerate to highway speeds and the engine would use what vacuum it could, the 4WD actuator would lose its vacuum then regain it when the RPM's dropped and try to lock the front axle while at highway speeds which would cause the truck to jerk and the gears to grind. And lastly the Airbag warning indicator is always il

20211017SERVICE BRAKES

Twice now while lightly applying brakes to come to a stop at an intersection the antilock brake system engaged. Since it was unexpected I almost didn't come to a stop in time before rolling into the intersection into traffic. The ABS warning indicator was illuminated intermittently before this with recorded DTC C0268 (Pump motor circuit shorted). Also the transfer case input shaft seal failed which caused transmission fluid to leak into the transfer case, completely filling it. That caused the transfer case vacuum switch to fail and transmission fluid was sucked into the vacuum lines and eat through them causing a vacuum leak. Because of the vacuum leak, whenever I would accelerate to highway speeds and the engine would use what vacuum it could, the 4WD actuator would lose its vacuum then regain it when the RPM's dropped and try to lock the front axle while at highway speeds which would cause the truck to jerk and the gears to grind. And lastly the Airbag warning indicator is always il

20210821SERVICE BRAKES

2003 Chevy S10 has been maintained and taking care of. Brakes in rear were sticking due to factory defective ABS control module. Rear wheel bearing gave out and started leaking axle fluid cause of a sticking drivers side brake from ABS control module malfunctioning. After much cost of replacing calipers and brake pads the culprit from a defectively ABS control module making the brake caliper stick to the rotor.. Next the coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket and now the heater core leaks… this truck has only 146k miles on it and I always taking care of it keeping up before it’s schedule maintenance. But what I see is poor defective parts from GM. SO I have to make sure I get this work done and keep the coolant filled or there be a motor issue from overheating. This is a SAFETY concern and if the heater core leaks then breathing the toxic coolants isn’t safe at all when the AC is on or no heat in winter!. Now GM discontinued making the S10 in North America but redesigned a

20210821ENGINE

2003 Chevy S10 has been maintained and taking care of. Brakes in rear were sticking due to factory defective ABS control module. Rear wheel bearing gave out and started leaking axle fluid cause of a sticking drivers side brake from ABS control module malfunctioning. After much cost of replacing calipers and brake pads the culprit from a defectively ABS control module making the brake caliper stick to the rotor.. Next the coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket and now the heater core leaks… this truck has only 146k miles on it and I always taking care of it keeping up before it’s schedule maintenance. But what I see is poor defective parts from GM. SO I have to make sure I get this work done and keep the coolant filled or there be a motor issue from overheating. This is a SAFETY concern and if the heater core leaks then breathing the toxic coolants isn’t safe at all when the AC is on or no heat in winter!. Now GM discontinued making the S10 in North America but redesigned a

20200922AIR BAGS

TRUCK WAS PURCHASED 7/7/20. SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT STARTED NOTICING ENGINE TROUBLE ON 9/10/20. HAD ONLY DRIVEN IT ~150 MILES SINCE PURCHASE, NEVER ANY STRENUOUS DRIVING. TOOK IT IN TO GET SERVICED ON 9/21/20, WHERE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WERE SPOTTED, ONE OF WHICH IS TRACEABLE TO THE DEALER: 1) THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS BEING HELD ON ONLY BY TWO ZIPTIES. THIS IS WHY IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE MISFIRES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF LIGHT USE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THE DAY BEFORE I PURCHASED IT THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS BEING FIXED, BUT THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY ME THAT IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY. TRUCK NOW MISFIRES, HAS AN ARCING WIRE, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. 2)TRUCK WAS SOLD WITH NO PARKING BRAKE, AND NO WARNING THAT IT WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS INFORMATION HAS OMITTED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE PURCHASING. NEVER NOTICED BECAUSE PHX IS SO FLAT. HAD I NEEDED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE, NOT HAVING ONE INSTALLED IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. 3) AN IMPAC

Mileage: 133,998

20200922SERVICE BRAKES

TRUCK WAS PURCHASED 7/7/20. SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT STARTED NOTICING ENGINE TROUBLE ON 9/10/20. HAD ONLY DRIVEN IT ~150 MILES SINCE PURCHASE, NEVER ANY STRENUOUS DRIVING. TOOK IT IN TO GET SERVICED ON 9/21/20, WHERE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WERE SPOTTED, ONE OF WHICH IS TRACEABLE TO THE DEALER: 1) THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS BEING HELD ON ONLY BY TWO ZIPTIES. THIS IS WHY IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE MISFIRES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF LIGHT USE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THE DAY BEFORE I PURCHASED IT THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS BEING FIXED, BUT THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY ME THAT IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY. TRUCK NOW MISFIRES, HAS AN ARCING WIRE, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. 2)TRUCK WAS SOLD WITH NO PARKING BRAKE, AND NO WARNING THAT IT WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS INFORMATION HAS OMITTED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE PURCHASING. NEVER NOTICED BECAUSE PHX IS SO FLAT. HAD I NEEDED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE, NOT HAVING ONE INSTALLED IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. 3) AN IMPAC

Mileage: 133,998

20200922FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TRUCK WAS PURCHASED 7/7/20. SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT STARTED NOTICING ENGINE TROUBLE ON 9/10/20. HAD ONLY DRIVEN IT ~150 MILES SINCE PURCHASE, NEVER ANY STRENUOUS DRIVING. TOOK IT IN TO GET SERVICED ON 9/21/20, WHERE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WERE SPOTTED, ONE OF WHICH IS TRACEABLE TO THE DEALER: 1) THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS BEING HELD ON ONLY BY TWO ZIPTIES. THIS IS WHY IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE MISFIRES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF LIGHT USE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THE DAY BEFORE I PURCHASED IT THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS BEING FIXED, BUT THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY ME THAT IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY. TRUCK NOW MISFIRES, HAS AN ARCING WIRE, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. 2)TRUCK WAS SOLD WITH NO PARKING BRAKE, AND NO WARNING THAT IT WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS INFORMATION HAS OMITTED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY ISSUES BEFORE PURCHASING. NEVER NOTICED BECAUSE PHX IS SO FLAT. HAD I NEEDED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE, NOT HAVING ONE INSTALLED IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. 3) AN IMPAC

Mileage: 133,998

20190620VISIBILITY/WIPER

WE OWN 2-2003 S-10S SAME YEAR MODELS AND COLOR. THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT ARE THE MOTORS. BOTH HAVE BEEN HAVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO OUT WHILE IN A HEAVY RAINSTORMS AND ON BUSY INTERSTATES.

Mileage: 187,000

20190620VISIBILITY/WIPER

THIS IS SECOND VEHICLE OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. WE HAVE TWO 2003 CHEVROLET S-10S WHERE THE WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING RAIN. IN MOST CASES DURING HEAVY RAINS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. VEHICLE HAS TO BE PULLED OVER AND THE HOOD HAS TO BE RAISED TO TAP THE MOTOR TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE.

Mileage: 167,000

20190212CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT REACHED DOWN TO ACCESS AN ITEM AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE OFFICERS ALSO WONDERED WHY THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE SEAT BELT MANAGED TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER SECURELY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A YARD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED ANY AIR BAG RECALLS FOR THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS ONE AIR BAG TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,048.

Mileage: 100,048

20180718ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE TRUCK WAS OCCASIONALLY NOT TURNING OVER. TRIED THINGS LIKE TURNING FAN ON, RADIO, ETC AND IT WOULD START. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OR WILL BLINK. TRUCK NOW IS NOT TURNING OVER AT ALL. DASH LIGHTS BLINK AND OR COME ON WHEN DOOR OPENS. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE SEEN ALL OVER INTERNET, BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. I AM PAYING FOR A DEAD TRUCK NOW. TRUCK WAS STATIONARY-WON'T START.

Mileage: 70,000

20180718UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRUCK WAS OCCASIONALLY NOT TURNING OVER. TRIED THINGS LIKE TURNING FAN ON, RADIO, ETC AND IT WOULD START. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OR WILL BLINK. TRUCK NOW IS NOT TURNING OVER AT ALL. DASH LIGHTS BLINK AND OR COME ON WHEN DOOR OPENS. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE SEEN ALL OVER INTERNET, BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. I AM PAYING FOR A DEAD TRUCK NOW. TRUCK WAS STATIONARY-WON'T START.

Mileage: 70,000

20180507AIR BAGS

LIGHT FOR AIR BAGS READS THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS TO GO INTO THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS. IT IS A LOT OF WORK INVOLVED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS IS. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON WHILE VEHICLE RUNNING.

Mileage: 140,000

20171010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TICKET BECAUSE OF THE UNKNOWN SPEED LIMIT AND WAS SPEEDING 20 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS OVER 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20171003ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HOMETOWN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC INC, 2009 BARNES ST, REIDSVILLE, NC, 27320) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT COULD BE ONE OUT OF TWO FAILURES: AN AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR OR SOMETHING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS INCOMPLETE UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20171003AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HOMETOWN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC INC, 2009 BARNES ST, REIDSVILLE, NC, 27320) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT COULD BE ONE OUT OF TWO FAILURES: AN AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR OR SOMETHING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS INCOMPLETE UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20170927SERVICE BRAKES

TOTAL SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD TO AVOID OTHER CARS. 40MPH FRONT RIGHT STEAL LINE FAILED AND RIGHT REAR LINE FAILED AT THE SAME TIME LINES ARE RUSTY BUT THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS OK THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS ( LIKE DRIPS OR LOW LEVEL IN THE BOOSTER)

Mileage: 211,000

20160418AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S-10. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE PARKED VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND PRODUCED CODE B0036 (AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR). THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

Compare 2003CHEVROLETS10 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CHEVROLET S10 have?
The 2003 CHEVROLET S10 has 230 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET S10?
Yes, the 2003 CHEVROLET S10 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 CHEVROLET S10?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CHEVROLET S10 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2003 CHEVROLET S10 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.