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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2003 Chevrolet S-10Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 205 owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet S-10. Most complaints involve structure (31) and electrical system (24). The EPA rates it 14–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
205
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

205 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Oct 2021
  1. Structure31
  2. Electrical system24
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic22
  4. Power train18
  5. Air bags17
  6. Tires14
  7. Engine and engine cooling13
  8. Fuel system, gasoline13
  9. Service brakes12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S-10 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996686
1997469
1998638
1999238
2000514
2001319
2002239
2003205
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

31 reports1 crash
“UPON PERSONAL INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE I DISCOVERED MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING AND THE CABLE HAD SNAPPED DUE TO CABLE FRAYING OR CORROSION. THE EXACT TIME AND SPEED OF THIS FAILURE IS UNKNOWN BUT THE DANGER COULD BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS A: THE TIRE COULD POSE A HAZARD TO TRAFFIC BEHIND THE VEHICLE. B: THE TIRE COULD ROLL INTO LANES OF TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS. C: THE TIRE COULD FALL AT SUCH AN ANGLE TO LIFT AND DEFLECT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF CONTROL. D: THE OPERATOR COULD FIND THEMSELVES STRANDED WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2013Structure, Tires, WheelsODI 10503416

Electrical system

24 reports1 crash
“THE TRUCK WAS OCCASIONALLY NOT TURNING OVER. TRIED THINGS LIKE TURNING FAN ON, RADIO, ETC AND IT WOULD START. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OR WILL BLINK. TRUCK NOW IS NOT TURNING OVER AT ALL. DASH LIGHTS BLINK AND OR COME ON WHEN DOOR OPENS. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE SEEN ALL OVER INTERNET, BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. I AM PAYING FOR A DEAD TRUCK NOW. TRUCK WAS STATIONARY-WON'T START.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2018Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11112131

Service brakes, hydraulic

22 reports1 crash
“I WAS PARKED IDLING WHEN THE ENGINE WENT OUT. COOLED DOWN AND STARTED. GOT ON 10 AT 60 MPH AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SPEED DROPPED INSTANTLY TO ABOUT 30 MPH. TWICE ON THE WAY HOME DID THE SAME, THEN CONKED OUT. TRIED TO DRIVE TO SHOP AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THEY REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR AND ACTS MOSTLY OKAY. BUT EVERY SO OFTEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE SPEED DROPS DRAMATICALLY THEN RECURS. THERE IS NOT A CODE BEING PUT IN THE SYSTEM TELLING THEM THE ISSUE WHY BUT THERE WAS A CODE ONE ABS SENSOR IS TURNING ON. IT IS LIKE THE ABS IS ENGAGING WITHOUT ME HITTING THE BRAKES AND THEN CUTTING OFF. AGAIN THIS ONLY HAPPENS SPORADICALLY WILL BE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER ASAP. NOTE AGAIN NO INDICATOR THE CAM SENSOR WAS BAD OR ANYTHING ELSE. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A CODE IN THE SYSTEM, FOR THE SPEED SENSOR, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO CLEAR IT. UPDATED 09/15/14 UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2014Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 10621077
All 2003 S-10 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S10 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$2,850404
S10 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
S10 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152118$3,450494
S10 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$3,650523
S10 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
S10 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4947Vehicle 4946
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 S-10 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet S-10 problems?

Owners filed 205 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (31), electrical system (24), service brakes, hydraulic (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 at 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026