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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.

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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

Visibility complaints

12 reports
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99,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

2003 CHEVY S10 ZR-2 WINDOW STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY IS THERE A SAFETY RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460449

84,354 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

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 WITH WHIT…

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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 WITH WHITE COLORED SMOKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350429

3,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S-10. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO RETURN TO THEIR PROPER POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD REMAINS PARTIALLY COVERED WITH DEBRIS. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER SPRING TENSION IN COLD WEATHER COND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET S-10. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO RETURN TO THEIR PROPER POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD REMAINS PARTIALLY COVERED WITH DEBRIS. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER SPRING TENSION IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. HE HEARD GRINDING METAL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 2/9/09 *CN UPDATED 02/13/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10255293

42,000 miles · Aug 29, 2008
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WELL AT TIMES AND STOPPED AT VERY BAD TIMES; HEAVY RAIN TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF CHASING WIRES I FOUND THE MICRO SOLDERING ON THE WIPERS COMPUTER BOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE WIRE HARNESS VIBRATED ON IT AND THE ENGIN…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WELL AT TIMES AND STOPPED AT VERY BAD TIMES; HEAVY RAIN TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF CHASING WIRES I FOUND THE MICRO SOLDERING ON THE WIPERS COMPUTER BOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE WIRE HARNESS VIBRATED ON IT AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED IT. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDS A BETTER ATTACHMENT FOR THE WIRE HARNESS AND SOME FORM OF INSULATION FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240255

50,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Visibility

HEATER CONTROL ONLY LETS AIR COME FROM A/C VENTS NO DEFROSTER THIS IS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224257

81,370 miles · Nov 1, 2007
Power TrainVisibility

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 HEATER CONTROLS…

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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 HEATER CONTROLS, ALSO VACUUM ACTIVATED, NOT TO WORK PROPERLY SO THAT THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED OR DEFROSTED, WHICH IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT G.M. REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE ACTUATORS (5), THE VACUUM TANK, THE VACUUM LINES AND THE HEATER CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207596

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2007
Visibility

105 TO110 DEGREE TEMPERATURE AIR BLOWING ONTO FEET WITH ALL HEATER CONTROLS SHUT OFF AND IN THE COOLEST TEMPERATURE SETTING. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL, AND PROVIDED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM GM STATING THAT ON THESE TRUCKS THIS SITUATION IS BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE CREATED BY THE WIND BLOWING OVER THE WINDSHIELD, FORCING THE AIR I…

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105 TO110 DEGREE TEMPERATURE AIR BLOWING ONTO FEET WITH ALL HEATER CONTROLS SHUT OFF AND IN THE COOLEST TEMPERATURE SETTING. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL, AND PROVIDED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM GM STATING THAT ON THESE TRUCKS THIS SITUATION IS BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE CREATED BY THE WIND BLOWING OVER THE WINDSHIELD, FORCING THE AIR INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187227

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash

2003 CHEVROLET S-10 ZR2'S FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISS. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS,…

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2003 CHEVROLET S-10 ZR2'S FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISS. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CRUISE CONTROL AND TRIM. THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED ONCE WHILE DRIVING. THE TAILGATE HAD TO BE ADJUSTED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167969

33,000 miles · Apr 4, 2006
Visibility

I HAVE A S10 CHEVROLET TRUCK AN THE HVAC SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. I HAVE LITTLE OR NO DEFROST SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154513

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Visibility

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT IN HIS 2003 CHEVROLET S10. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAT WAS SO HOT, IT BURNED THROUGH HIS SHOES. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10114916

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.