Most common 2004 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 21 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 →
2004 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 2004 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Brakes
Tl 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.
Tl 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.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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. …
The front windows on my truck would come off track while being rolled up when traveling. I drive a 2004 Chevrolet S10 crew cab. I had this problem for awhile. Every time I took vehicle to Chevrolet for repairs they would say it was fixed, but it wasn't. Then they found out from GM that this was a problem in a lot of the same trucks. So GM told the dealership to put shims in the windows to keep them on track. Since this has been fixed I have had to take it in to Chevrolet again for the window motor burning out from the pressure the shims were putting on the motor.
Air bags
While pulling into a driveway another vehicle t-boned consumer's vehicle on the right front. This caused consumer's vehicle to become air born. When the vehicle descended it was struck head on with another vehicle. Consumer was wearing seat belts, but the front air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained minor injuries to the legs, chest, and arms. The police arrived and cited the consumer.
2004 Chevrolet S10 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 S10 rates better than average: 95% 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 2004 Chevrolet S10?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (3) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet S10 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 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 2004 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 64,000 miles; 36% 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.