The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
75 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1302003 Dodge Dakota 2122003 Toyota Tundra 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 36,000 miles (3,200–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 75 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 06E065000 (lights) and 06E060000 (lights) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Chevy sent dealers 409 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 75 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 36K miles (3K to 58K km) on the car (44 of all 75 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Tail gate hinges rusting out, and is starting to crack on the frame. Just don't want it to fall off on the road.
2003 Chevrolet S-10 owner · NHTSA complaint 10171332
More owner reports
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
The vehicle's door separated from the frame which caused air to seep through. Please provide additional information.
NHTSA complaint 10038397
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 17.6M views · 1994–2004 Chevrolet S-10
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors1.1M views
2003 Chevrolet S10 ABS Wheel Sensor Replacementuxwbill · 208K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter284K views
How to Remove a 4l60e Transmission from 2001 Chevy S10 2wdThatAccordGuy · 134K views · 4 videos
Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 409 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…
- Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd or 4th damaged 2-4 band 3-4 clutch on the 4l60e/4l65e automatic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 4 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.".
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet S-10 recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet S-10 year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 6 older years (1994–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Chevrolet S-10 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-s-10/?y=2003" title="Chevrolet S-10 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-s-10/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Chevrolet S-10 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (20%), body structure (20%) and fuel system, gasoline (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet S-10 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 36,000 miles (3,200–58,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 75 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet S-10 year than the 2003?
Not nearby: the 2003 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet S-10 years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works