Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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. …
First incident approximately 2/15/2015, brakes pedal went close to floor when trying to stop vehicle, downshifted transmission to help stop vehicle. It was determined rust had caused a hole to develop in brake line cooler behind radiator of vehicle. Significant loss of brake fluid. Second incident approximately 5/15/2015, brakes became mushy loss of brake fluid. Rust caused pin hole leak in brake line at rear wheel brake cylinder. Third incident approximately 7/26/2015 significant loss of brake fluid. Cause yet undetermined
Brake line failure on 2002 Chevy s-10 crew cab. One brake line began leaking. Dealer suggested replacing two lines. When repair was being completed a third brake line began to leak. The parts are not readily available from GM and the dealer said it could take months to get.waiting to see if a local shop can manufacture the third line. I was told that the lines corroded due to brine used on roads during winter. I saw an article stating that the NHTSA is investigating other GM trucks between 1999 and 2003 for this very same problem but the s-10 is not listed as having an issue. I was fortunate that I caught it early by seeing a puddle of fluid under my truck. The brake light did not come on. I do not feel very confident about the remaining lines that have not been replaced.
I was turning left and another car coming from the opposite direction made a right turn in front of me and I hit my brakes and tried to stop but my ABS did not kick in and I slid about thirty feet and hit there car.
I owna 2001 Chevy s-10 and have always noticed that the brakes, when applied going over a small bump or dip, will make a grinding noise and not engage at all. They will engage after a few seconds of applied pressure but by then I am already through the intersection and have nearly been hit/have hit another car due to this. Also, I was involved in an auto accident where I had to brake hard, but when I did the truck pulled left and rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. At the time I didn't question the brakes but now I have had constant noises and clicks from the front brakes and can push the pedal to the floor, and when I do there is a loud click. I have read 11 similar complaints and wonder if there is a major problem the public should know about. If the brakes were a cause of my accident I would like to know.
Related recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: electric pickup trucks. A condition in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe.
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the ground strap attachment, inspect the brake pipe for wear, and replace the brake pipe if necessary.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (ABS) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles May have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle description: certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS (antilock braking system) manufactured from September 1989 through August 1996. Under certain driving conditions the switch which signals the ABS system whether the vehicle is in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive can malfunction causing…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Show 1 more recall
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line,…
NHTSA investigations
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
Loss of power assist
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet S10 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (323), 1996 (223), 2000 (105), 1997 (101) and 1998 (77) model years. Brake complaints make up 35% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 brake problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 00V-159 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 16, 2000); 00V-055 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Feb 28, 2000); 99V-220 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Aug 11, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet S10 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (659 mentions), followed by the foundation components (71).
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.