SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2003 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

About this comparison →
178Owner complaints

Model-year median: 42.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
471
2000308
2001214
2002178
200321
20041
2006
Compare all S10 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
30Service Brakes, Hydraulic
22Power Train
17Air Bags
15Electrical System
15
All reported categories
Service Brakes
12Tires
12Visibility
12Engine And Engine Cooling
11Latches/locks/linkages
11Fuel System, Gasoline
10Engine
6Steering
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Wheels
5Equipment
4Exterior Lighting
4Suspension
4Unknown Or Other
4Visibility/wiper
3Fuel System, Other
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Parking Brake
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Electric
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Air
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
90,000 miles · Oct 11, 2013
Parking BrakeService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR OR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000. UPDATED 11/…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR OR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN

NHTSA ODI #10547653

144,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Parking Brake

I HAVE A 2003 S-10 THAT WHEN IT IS DAMP OUT DUE TO RAIN OR MELTING SNOW MY REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH SAY THE REAR BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AGAIN THE MECHANICS CLAIM THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 4…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2003 S-10 THAT WHEN IT IS DAMP OUT DUE TO RAIN OR MELTING SNOW MY REAR BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH SAY THE REAR BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AGAIN THE MECHANICS CLAIM THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES BETWEEN THE TWO MECHANICS EACH SAYING THE SAME THING. IT IS SLOWLY GETTING WORSE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO SKID AND AT TIMES "GET SIDEWAYS" IN THE ROAD. I HAVE SINCE PARKED THE TRUCK AND AM DRIVING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318905

Official recalls

1

04V132000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.