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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2003 Chevrolet S10 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
8%of 178 total for the year
Median mileage
65,685miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Chevrolet S10, 8% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,685 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.

“This is second vehicle of previous complaint. We have two 2003 Chevrolet s-10s where the wipers stop working during rain. In most cases during heavy rains while driving on highways and interstates. Vehicle has to be pulled over and the hood has to be raised to tap the motor to be able to continue.”

NHTSA complaint #11221496, filed 2019-06, 167,000 miles

“We own 2-2003 s-10s same year models and color. The only thing different are the motors. Both have been having the windshield wipers go out while in a heavy rainstorms and on busy interstates.”

NHTSA complaint #11221490, filed 2019-06, 187,000 miles

“At approximately 83,456 miles the heater core broke. I first noticed smell ethylene glycol, it caused (somewhat greasy) fogging of the windshield above the windshield heater vent. Glycol leak directly into the car, causing wet upholstery or carpeting. Coolant sprayed directly into the passenger compartment followed with white colored smoke.”

NHTSA complaint #10350429, filed 2010-08, 84,354 miles

“Windshield wipers stopped working. Checked all the fuses and found no problems. Windshield wipers well at times and stopped at very bad times; heavy rain times. After several days of chasing wires I found the micro soldering on the wipers computer board cracked in several places. The wire harness vibrated on it and the engine overheated it. The entire system needs a better attachment for the wire harness and some form of insulation from the engine.”

NHTSA complaint #10240255, filed 2008-08, 42,000 miles

“When trying to use the wipers the switch refuses to operate correctly. Been replaced twice ( this happens under all three switches). When you turn it on it will not respond and does not wipe. When you use the single wipe will wipe continual and not shut off at times. Some times when you use the fluid will not turn off unless you turn the engine off and restart the vehicle. When in the first two notches for wiping will start to wipe and stop about 1/4 of the way up the windshield. In high position operates as if normal, must set it above high to get it to operate in high. …”

NHTSA complaint #10743643, filed 2015-07, 122,250 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2004314%
2003158%
200242%
200172%
2000102%
199963%
199820433%
199711725%
199610015%
199520723%
199424125%
1993104%
199242%
199132%
199013%
198912%
198825%
198727%
198629%

Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet S10

Brakes
38 complaints
Body and structure
30 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Fuel system
14 complaints
Tires
12 complaints
Engine cooling
11 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
11 complaints
Engine
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Vehicle 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 29, 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