2003 Chevrolet S10 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 21%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,376miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet S10, 21% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,376 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I applied the brakes on entering my driveway. The pedal went nearly to the floor. A pool of brake fluid formed on the driveway under the driver's side about the middle of the truck. Investigation showed a corroded and burst brake pipe just in front of the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10438890, filed 2011-12, 47,163 miles“Driving back home from the grocery store. Brake pedal went to the floor. Nursed the truck to the house. Reservoir almost empty. Refilled reservoir with brake fluid. Checked under truck and found that the left rear wheel was coated with brake fluid. Pulled the rear wheel to find the leak. Brake lines coated with fluid. I had my wife come out to pump the brake pedal while I was under the truck. Leak found in the hard line about 2 inches from the flexible line to the hard line connection.”
NHTSA complaint #10550972, filed 2013-11, 109,736 miles“My 2003 Chevrolet s-10 pickup has a dangerous ABS system in that it locks up under routine stops and actually appears to pull vehicle to an abrupt stop. I took it into a mechanic who said that he had another owner of the s-10 with same problem. He advised me to remove the fuse #22 which would turn off the ABS and return my vehicle to standard braking. The mechanic said he was looking up information on how to fix the problem, but had not success.”
NHTSA complaint #10319089, filed 2010-03, 70,000 miles“On august 14, 2014 the rear brake line rusted through and fluid was spilled onto the road. Fortunately I was leaving my home and only going about 10 MPH and there were no injuries. The s-10 has 65500 miles on it. It cost $700 to repair at the GM dealer. In november 2013 the front brake line rusted through as I was leaving work and had to stop at traffic light. Once again I was fortunate that I was traveling in a school zone and only going 15 MPH when they gave out. It cost $1600 for the repairs. It has 58000 miles on it at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10626518, filed 2014-08, 65,500 miles“Year 2003 Chevrolet s-10 pickup has a defect in the brake tubing. Very dangerous as brakes fail. For the last 3 years I have experienced brakes failing 3 times. The first 2 times the shop replaced a full tube from the master cylinder to the wheel. Now I have a new failure..I suggest a recall to assist me and others with this very dangerous and expensive problem. The brake lines must have been manufactured with inferior material that tends to rust out in eastern areas where salt is used on the roads.”
NHTSA complaint #10346325, filed 2010-07, 33,590 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10168960Nov 12, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 | 29% |
| 2003 | 38 | 21% |
| 2002 | 21 | 10% |
| 2001 | 64 | 21% |
| 2000 | 105 | 22% |
| 1999 | 35 | 15% |
| 1998 | 77 | 13% |
| 1997 | 101 | 22% |
| 1996 | 222 | 33% |
| 1995 | 321 | 35% |
| 1994 | 533 | 55% |
| 1993 | 141 | 61% |
| 1992 | 121 | 67% |
| 1991 | 72 | 41% |
| 1990 | 10 | 34% |
| 1989 | 3 | 6% |
| 1988 | 6 | 16% |
| 1987 | 4 | 15% |
| 1986 | 3 | 14% |
| 1985 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet S10
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet S10
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology