CHEVROLET S10 · model year

2004 CHEVROLET S10

30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CHEVROLETS10 carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. 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 2004 S10 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (2). 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 3 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 2004 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.

30
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

30 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2
AIR BAGS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
TIRES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1

Recalls (3)

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

20201229AIR BAGS

THE SERVICE AIR BAGS IS STUCK ON ALSO THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WONT GO OFF.

Mileage: 139,000

20201229SERVICE BRAKES

THE SERVICE AIR BAGS IS STUCK ON ALSO THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WONT GO OFF.

Mileage: 139,000

20201229STEERING

THE SERVICE AIR BAGS IS STUCK ON ALSO THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WONT GO OFF.

Mileage: 139,000

20180802AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLINK OFF AND ON.

Mileage: 100,000

20180802SUSPENSION

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLINK OFF AND ON.

Mileage: 100,000

20160314FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 149,450

20121120STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE COLLAPSED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO STRIKE THE BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20121003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20110620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING AND HORN STARTS SOUNDING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARK AND WITHOUT KEYS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO GM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. GM DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT IS WAS FIXED. PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. ALSO A LOT OF MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS **TT

Mileage: 133,000

20100416FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 COST WAS OVER $4,000. THEY SAID THAT THE INSTALLED ZIP TIES AND THAT THE WIRE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES AGAIN, THEY ALSO REPLACED CARPET, FUSE BOX, JUNCTION CLOCK, SIR MODULE, (CARPET, HARNESS, MODULE, BLOCK, HARNESS, FUSE KIT, FUSE, COIL KIT, HEATER YES TWO HARNESS WERE REPLACED) AND THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. THIS THEN HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, HOWEVER WE TOOK IT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP IN AL BENTLEY GMC THEY DETERMINED THAT ORIGINAL REPAIR WIRE SHO

Mileage: 50,000

20091023PARKING BRAKE

EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER FAILED TO LATCH IN LOCKED POSITION. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

20091015STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I HAVE A 2004 S-10 PICKUP AND HAD A NEARMISS A PERSON WAS SITTING ON MY TAILGATE AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE AND THE RIGHT ONE IS BULGING I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE HOW DO I GET THESE CABLES CHANGED. *TR

Mileage: 840,000

20090527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MADE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES PADS FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS, THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND ALL FOUR TIRES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES AT THE COST OF $150. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 62,500

20090213STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

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

Mileage: 92,000

20090213LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

Mileage: 92,000

20080403POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

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 20

Mileage: 15,777

20080403EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 20

Mileage: 15,777

20080403VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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 20

Mileage: 15,777

20080403ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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 20

Mileage: 15,777

20070911SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

Mileage: 11,540

Compare 2004CHEVROLETS10 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CHEVROLET S10 have?
The 2004 CHEVROLET S10 has 30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 CHEVROLET S10?
Yes, the 2004 CHEVROLET S10 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CHEVROLET S10?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CHEVROLET S10 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR.
Is the 2004 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.