2003 Chevrolet S10 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 17%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,070miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Chevrolet S10, 17% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,070 miles. 1 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.
“The door pins are faulty on these trucks and blazers and my door does not shut sometimes because of it and it flew open on a turn almost causing me to fly out too. I went and bought the part that weekend but they should be recalled this is dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #10475734, filed 2012-09, 86,000 miles“While driving my 2003 chevy S10 the assembly that holds the spare tire underneath of the vehicle disengaged when the cable snapped. The tire became wedged between the road and the rear bumper causing my vehicle to fishtail. No accident occurred despite the tire bouncing across 4 lanes of traffic and down a side street where it came to rest against a curb. The priority dealership said this was not covered by the warranty. This is the 3rd case I have heard about this happening in my area.”
NHTSA complaint #10236713, filed 2008-08, 60,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10503416, filed 2013-03, 137,209 miles“I have an 2003 chevy S10 that doesn't even have 30,000 miles on it yet. The third door handle has broke and been replaced twice already. The incident date was the around the last time I put one on. It currently needs another handle put on it now. I haven't done it yet cause at $30 each time it has to be replaced is getting expensive for a piece of plastic. Without this piece it is hard to open the door and I use the door to get my daughter in and out of my truck. I feel this part needs to be recalled and changed to a better handle.”
NHTSA complaint #10265870, filed 2009-04, 19,500 miles“The tailgate cables on my 2003 Chevrolet s-10 rusted through and snapped. Luckily there was no personal injury. The dealer told me that it was due to the climate and road conditions in western new york.”
NHTSA complaint #10154803, filed 2006-04, 78,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237648May 9, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10211764Apr 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10154601Dec 17, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114913Oct 20, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114894Oct 14, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 14% |
| 2003 | 30 | 17% |
| 2002 | 73 | 34% |
| 2001 | 75 | 24% |
| 2000 | 93 | 20% |
| 1999 | 28 | 12% |
| 1998 | 39 | 6% |
| 1997 | 20 | 4% |
| 1996 | 16 | 2% |
| 1995 | 17 | 2% |
| 1994 | 20 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 13 | 7% |
| 1990 | 3 | 10% |
| 1989 | 4 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 15% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet S10
38 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 28, 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