Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that the brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the brake light module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Headlights dim without warning. On 2 occasions the headlights dimmed and failed. This reduces driver's visibility. As a result, the consumer drove off the road and went into a ditch. Also, upon depressing accelerator pedal automatic transmission dropped into first gear abruptly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet S10. The contact was pulled over by a police officer and informed that the brake lights and signal lights were inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 01V364000 (exterior lighting). Ed bozarth Chevrolet located at 2001 s havana st, aurora, co 80014, was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 330,000.
2004 tail gate ass failed replaced after market parts 2004 back up lights in/op;004 interrior light will not turn off/ over ride botton used to save battery2005 left front hub ass replaced. 004 right front hub ass replaced;005 front end replaced/pittman/tie rods;2004 oil filter leak / tightened 2004 rear emergency brakes in/op 5 left emergency brake drum replaced;005 right emergency brake drum replaced 2005 gas sending unit replaced eradic behavior 2004 left brake shoe replaced ;004 right brake shoe replaced;005 left brake shoe replaced front;005 right brake shoe replaced front 2005 left brake shoe replaced rear;005 right brake shoe replaced rear;005 u joints replaced;04 battery replaced 2005 transmission showing signs of wear;005 rear end {3.42} locker clangs between 1st and revved. …
Center-vehicle mounted rear brake light melted its plastic housing which melted the wiring and mounts used to power the two lightbulbs in the center brake light, resulting in no functioning center brake light. This also made the interior light fall out of the roof as it is attached to the same plastic housing. Only apparent fix is to replace the entire old melted center brake light housing with a new one. Occurred under normal use with manufacturer recommended light bulbs in use.
My complaint does not concern my vehicle. It is the intensity of newer headlights and taillights on late model vehicles. It is very difficult to drive with extremely bright lights shining from all directions. Instead of lighting area the newer lights seem to be a focused beam that is blinding.
Exterior brake light lens, located over the back window of the cab, was noticed to have melted. Lens was melted inward toward the two light bulbs. One bulb was not working, having cracked, the other bulb was still working. The lens was melted so that two holes were completely through the thick plastic and the plastic had dripped onto the bulbs and fixture. The lens has been removed and I am attempting to contact a dealer to check electrical circuit and proper voltage generated at the light fixture. The lens and bulbs will need to be replaced.
Daytime running lights do not work. I've had it back to 2 different dealers twice and called Chevrolet in detroit twice. They fixed it once and it lasted from 10/26/99 to 11/04/99. When I brought it back they said..."no repair available at this time." detroit gave me the same bull and said they would call me when a repair was available. That was on 11/29/99 and I called again on 03/02/99 and was again told to wait for a call. I took it back to the original dealer on 06/01/2000 and they said they couldn't fix it. They said they could turn the daytime running lights on with the hand held computer and they worked but the truck computer was programmed to turn them off. I ask to simply reprogram the computer but they said they couldn't do that and that I should wait for a repair notice from detroit. I'll be 55 yrs old in oct. …
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the daytime running lights built with a candela value greater than 3,000 cannot be mounted higher than 864mm above the road…
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness that changes the drl's from high beam to low beam drl's, and install new long-life low beam bulbs.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet S10 years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (22), 2000 (16), 1995 (13), 1998 (8) and 1999 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-220 (exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet S10 headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (27 mentions), followed by the brake lights (10).
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.