CarBrief

NHTSA has 178 owner complaints on file for the 2003 S10, fewer than any earlier S10 model year[1][2]. It has one recall, for an air bag warning label[3].

178owner complaints[1]
1recalls[2]
14–22MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 178 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 16 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 12 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The largest groups are:

Component group Complaints
Brakes[5] 36
Structure[6] 30
Power train[7] 17
Engine[8] 17
Air bags[9] 15
Electrical system[10] 15
Tires[11] 12
Visibility[12] 12

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 5 describe rotor or pad trouble such as warping, rust, noise or fast wear, and 3 describe ABS kicking in unexpectedly or braking power dropping[5]. The median mileage at failure for brakes is 54,252[5].

Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 6 describe tailgate support cables that broke or rusted through, and 4 describe door parts failing, such as a door coming loose or a handle breaking[6]. The median mileage here is 50,070[6].

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 7 describe shifting or transmission trouble, and 3 describe vibration or noise at highway speed that dealers did not fix[7]. The median mileage is 7,300[7].

Air bags. Only 15 complaints name air bags, but they carry 9 crashes, 10 injuries and 1 death[9]. That is a small group, so treat it as a flag to check, not a pattern.

Sample counts come from a small set of texts, so they show what owners describe, not how common a problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[2].

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions. Ratings are city / highway / combined MPG, with EPA's estimated annual fuel cost. That cost uses EPA's current fuel prices, not the price when the truck was new.

Version MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[13] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[4] 19 / 25 / 22 $3,050
2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[14] 15 / 21 / 18 $3,700
2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[15] 15 / 22 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[16] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450
4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[17] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800

The best combined figure is 22 MPG (2WD 2.2L manual) and the lowest is 14 MPG (4WD 4.3L manual)[4][17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the extended cab a rollover rating of 3 stars[18]. The regular cab is not rated[19]. We have no other star ratings for this truck.

How 2003 compares with other years

1995: 918 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 673 complaints, 7 recalls19961997: 469 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 613 complaints, 6 recalls19981999: 231 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 471 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 308 complaints, 1 recalls20012002: 214 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 178 complaints, 1 recalls17820032004: 21 complaints, 1 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S10 Pickup model year. The 2003 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19959185
19966737
19974696
19986136
19992310
20004714
20013081
20022140
20031781
2004211

The 2003 model year has 178 complaints and 1 recall[2]. Every earlier year from 1995 to 2002 has more complaints, from 214 in 2002 to 918 in 1995[2]. Only 2004 has fewer, with 21[2].

On recalls, 2003 has 1[2]. The years 1995 to 1998 have 5 to 7 each, 2000 has 4, 2001 has 1, 1999 and 2002 have none, and 2004 has 1[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2003 S10?

The complaint record is lighter than for earlier S10 years, and the only recall is about a warning label[2][3]. The complaints that do exist center on brakes, structure and the power train, so inspect the brakes, tailgate cables, doors and shifting before you buy[5][6][7]. Fuel economy depends a lot on the version, from 14 to 22 combined MPG[4][17]. Our data does not cover repair costs, towing or horsepower, so a pre-purchase inspection matters.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2003 Chevrolet S10 have?
NHTSA has 178 complaints[1]. Brakes lead with 36 and structure follows with 30[1][5][6].
Are there recalls on the 2003 S10?
One, 04V132, for an incorrect air bag warning label. Owners get correct labels[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2003 S10?
EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 22 MPG depending on engine, transmission and drive[4][17].
Is the 2003 S10 a better year than earlier ones?
It has fewer complaints than 1995 to 2002, with 178 against 214 to 918, though counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 178 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup (16 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet S10 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 04V132, filed March 18, 2004: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 36 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,252). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 30 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,070). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 17 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 17 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,452). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,524). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the visibility component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED CAB None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, REGULAR CAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.