KnownCarProblems2003 Chevrolet S10 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet S10, most often about the brakes (20% of complaints, typically around 51,500 miles). It is 4th of 9 S10 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet S10 problems
Brakes
36 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, power assist.
2003 s-10 pick-up truck.ABS brakes engage when brakes applied at 10mph causing vehicle to swerve to the right and wheels locking.this caused increased stopping distance and almost being rear ended by the vehicle behind me.was unable to drive the vehicle in traffic conditions to the engagment of the ABS.
Four days prior to incident date, I had applied brakes very hard, could be described as a "panic stop". On the days following, I had noticed a small amount of fluid under left front of vehicle when approaching vehicle. Then, after four days, I noticed at a stop light the vehicle began to creep forward and required…
Body and structure
30 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The third driver's side rear door has a release lever that has been replaced five times while the vehicle was under warranty. The lever was recently replaced again at Chevrolet's expense. The contact is concerned that the rear passengers will not be able to exit the vehicle if the…
While driving my 2003 chevy S10 the assembly that holds the spare tire underneath of the vehicle disengaged when the cable snapped. The tire became wedged between the road and the rear bumper causing my vehicle to fishtail. No accident occurred despite the tire bouncing across 4 lanes of traffic and down a side street…
Transmission
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), manual transmission.
While driving at 60 MPH vehicle lost power. Then, consumer lost control of vehicle, hit a guard rail, and landed in a ditch. Consumer sustained no injuries. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed the consumer that the PCM needed replacement. Dealer tried to reprogram the system, but was unable to do so.
Tailgate fell off while driving. One side stayed attatched causing tailgate to drag. Also, engine makes high pitch squealing noise between 4000-4500 rpms. Also 5th gear went out while driving down the freeway. Have had several friends that own the same vehicle have transmission problems like this. Also, molding around…
Engine
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
At approximately 83,456 miles the heater core broke. I first noticed smell ethylene glycol, it caused (somewhat greasy) fogging of the windshield above the windshield heater vent. Glycol leak directly into the car, causing wet upholstery or carpeting. Coolant sprayed directly into the passenger compartment followed…
I was parked idling when the engine went out. Cooled down and started. Got on 10 at 60 MPH and the ABS brake light came on and the speed dropped instantly to about 30 MPH. Twice on the way home did the same, then conked out. Tried to drive to shop and had to be towed. They replaced the cam sensor and acts mostly okay.…
Visibility and wipers
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
The four wheel drive actuator on top of the transfer case failed- actuator is vacuum actuated and when it failed it allowed transfer case fluid to be drawn into the vacuum system of the vehicle causing problems with four wheel drive engagement and disengagement. But the worst problem is that the fluid caused the…
At approximately 83,456 miles the heater core broke. I first noticed smell ethylene glycol, it caused (somewhat greasy) fogging of the windshield above the windshield heater vent. Glycol leak directly into the car, causing wet upholstery or carpeting. Coolant sprayed directly into the passenger compartment followed…
Air bags
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
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…
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…
Electrical
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
Parked truck, turned ignition off , noticed fuel gauge, temp gauge and volt gauge were still on. I then put the key back in the ignition switch but did not turn it- before key was fully inserted gauges went off. Wiggled key in slot and gauges were back on.
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…
Fuel system
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Dt: contact states he tried to start vehicle and it would not start. He had it towed and found that he needed to replace the fuel pump. Dealer replaced the fuel pump at manufacturer's expense ,and charged contact for labor. Manufacturer said they have no problems with the fuel pump, and offered to pay for fuel pump.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet S10 recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: Some of these vehicles include incorrect statements on one of the air bag warning labels.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet S10
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet S10?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (36 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles); body and structure (30 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); transmission (17 complaints, typically around 13,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet S10 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 18, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet S10?
- It is 4th of 9 S10 model years by number of complaints, with 178 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.