The Lemon Index
20032nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,014 in the U.S. in 2004 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1552004 Chevrolet Colorado 1362004 Dodge Dakota 98
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 06E065000 (lights) and 04V132000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 404 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…”?
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 9 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 →
In owners' words
While driving in the rain the windshield wipers would work intermittently.
2004 Chevrolet S-10 owner · NHTSA complaint 10043960
More owner reports
While driving the abs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the pinion was loose and needed to be tightened.
NHTSA complaint 10075598
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 2004 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 404 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
- The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…
- Timing chain tensioner breakpoints for service kit or production fix for vehicle exhibiting…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- 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
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet S-10 year. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-s-10/?y=2004" 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-10/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Chevrolet S-10 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet S-10 reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,014 were sold in the U.S. in 2004 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (44%), visibility (22%) and suspension (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet S-10 have?
3 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 2004 Chevrolet S-10 get?
15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Chevrolet S-10 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet S-10 cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet S-10 have?
4.3L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet S-10 year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car).
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