2003 Chevrolet S10 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 10%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet S10, 10% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,000 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.
“The four wheel drive actuator on top of the transfer case failed- actuator I when it failed it allowed transfer case fluid to be drawn into the vacuum system of the vehicle causing problems with four wheel drive engagement and disengagement. The four wheel drive attempted to engage at 65mph on the expressway. It also caused the heater controls not to work properly. The truck needs to have the actuators (5), the vacuum tank, the vacuum lines and the heater control. A 1400.00 repair bill I will have to cover.”
NHTSA complaint #10375259, filed 2011-01, 84,114 miles“Driving on highway in stop and go slow traffic for an hour, the clutch stopped operating properly, then 2nd and 3rd gear would not work. Dealer service manager says these clutches get hot and I should just pull off the road for 10 minutes! I also had A/C on. Dealer can't recreate the problem, and denies it exist.”
NHTSA complaint #10051246, filed 2003-12, 7,167 miles“Vehicle vibrates badly between the speeds of 45-55 MPH have taken vehicle back five times dealer has worked on it twice replacing the tires, with same brand once still no improvement same problem still exists. Gm advises me to call dealer, dealer advises me to call GM. Please help”
NHTSA complaint #10017074, filed 2003-05, 4,600 miles“If the vehicle is placed in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface and you attempt to turn, left or right, the drivetrain locks up and the vehicle will not move. I have taken it to the dealer and had many conversations with GM customer service and they tell me I should not be driving in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface. The service manager did agree that the vehicle will not turn in this situation and that there was nothing he could do. I have owned numerous 4-wheel drive trucks and never have I had one that would not turn will in 4-wheel drive on a high traction surface. …”
NHTSA complaint #10122241, filed 2005-05, 31,032 miles“Had driveline howl/vibration since vehicle has been new between 45-70mph. Dealer has put in 2 new rear axle assemblies and have not been able to fix problem. Third time I brought vehicle into dealer for same problem the said noise was normal for the 03 model year s-10 pickups. I put on new rims and tires to see if that could be the cause, problem still there. I now have 18,000 miles and noise and vibration is getting worse and worse and vehicle is currently at another dealer to whom I did not purchase the vehicle from to fix the problem but they can't find anything wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10086495, filed 2004-08, 640 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10114916Oct 21, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 10% |
| 2003 | 17 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 6% |
| 2000 | 46 | 10% |
| 1999 | 28 | 12% |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% |
| 1997 | 49 | 10% |
| 1996 | 68 | 10% |
| 1995 | 50 | 5% |
| 1994 | 37 | 4% |
| 1993 | 9 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 11 | 6% |
| 1989 | 2 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 15% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 4 | 36% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
| 1983 | 3 | 43% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet S10
38 complaintsBody and structure
30 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