Most common 2003 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 178 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet S10 complaints by model year
Best S10 years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →
2003 Chevrolet S10 recalls (1)
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."
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.
What 2003 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Brakes all 38 →
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. …
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. …
Body & structure all 30 →
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10 with an odometer reading of 15800 miles. The contact started having problems with the vehicle at 1100 miles when the brakes began to make loud noises. In August o 2003 the contact took the vehicle to don hall Chevrolet of ashland kentucky, and the service personnel determined that the brake pads were not compatible with the factory rotors, thus causing the brakes to make a v loud noise. The rotors were turned and new brake pads were installed. Three days later the noise continued. A mechanic installed wagner brake pads. The manufacturer's pads installed at the dealer were not as efficient. At 11, 000 miles the brake pedal rattled when driving over speed bumps. The service personnel at mcfarland murray chevorlet dealership of grayson kentucky removed the dashborad, and replaced the bushing on the brake pedal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position corroded, and then fractured. He contacted the dealer in reference to NHTSA action number rq04012(structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device ). He has been informed that the vehicle was not eligible for a free remedy because the sonoma and s-10 vehicles differ from c/k models in several ways: the vehicle height is lower; the tailgate displacement (drop) when not supported by the cables is smaller and the tailgate comes to rest at a less severe tip angle when not supported by the cables; the tailgate mass is smaller; and the size, payload, and usage characteristics are less demanding than c/k model vehicles. He was in the process of having the vehicle repaired. …
Transmission & drivetrain
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.
If the vehicle is placed in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface and you attempt to turn, left or right, the drivetrain locks up and the vehicle will not move. I have taken it to the dealer and had many conversations with GM customer service and they tell me I should not be driving in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface. The service manager did agree that the vehicle will not turn in this situation and that there was nothing he could do. I have owned numerous 4-wheel drive trucks and never have I had one that would not turn will in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface. They May skip or hop a little but they always turned. If you happen to turn left and the vehicle stops you would be placing yourself and the passengers in harms way with on-coming traffic. I have a safety issue with my vehicle and it May be a generic issue. …
2003 Chevrolet S10 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 S10 rates better than average: 67% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S10 at the same age. It is one of the best S10 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet S10?
The brakes — 38 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the body & structure (30) and transmission & drivetrain (17).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet S10 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 Chevrolet S10, the most recent from March 18, 2004 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet S10?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet S10 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 53% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.