RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet S10

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Dec 29, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet S10, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 404 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes620.7%
  • Body & structure310.3%
  • Electrical310.3%
  • Airbags310.3%
  • Visibility310.3%
  • Suspension26.9%
  • Tires & wheels26.9%
  • Steering26.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E065000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 17, 2006
3,593 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
AJ MOTORSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
04V132000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Mar 18, 2004
183,922 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 04021View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Dec 29, 2020

THE SERVICE AIR BAGS IS STUCK ON ALSO THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WONT GO OFF.

NHTSA ID
11385492
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
Mileage
139,000 mi
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Aug 2, 2018

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLINK OFF AND ON.

NHTSA ID
11115269
Incident
Jul 31, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 14, 2016

THE FUEL TANK ON MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED WHERE THE INLET TUBE CONNECTS TO THE TANK , CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS A RECALL BY CHEVROLET FOR THE SAME CONDITION ON 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH THE PLASTIC TANK. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DISCONTINUED THE TANK FOR REPLACEMENT AND WILL NOT VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TANK ALSO. THE TANK EMITS GAS FUMES OUT OF THE CRACKS DUE TO EGR PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS.

NHTSA ID
10846432
Incident
Mar 4, 2016
Mileage
149,450 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE COLLAPSED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO STRIKE THE BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10485304
Incident
Nov 10, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE AND REINSERT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHAT THE EXACT FUSE WAS THAT WAS BEING REMOVED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10478488
Incident
Aug 13, 2012
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2011

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING AND HORN STARTS SOUNDING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARK AND WITHOUT KEYS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO GM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. GM DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT IS WAS FIXED. PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. ALSO A LOT OF MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS **TT

NHTSA ID
10407657
Incident
Jun 3, 2011
Mileage
133,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2010
Fire reported

CHEVY S-10 QUAD CAB CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION; PASSENGER SEAT WAS ADJUSTED (ELECTRIC SEAT WITH HEAT) SMELLED SMOKE AND PARKED VEHICLE TOOK KEYS AND EXITED VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER. VEHICLE BURNED ALL WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD MELTED. NO FLAMES SEEN ONLY SMOKE, ALL WIRING MELTED UNDER THE SEAT AND CARPET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO ELECTRICAL ITEM WOULD TURN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED ON BACK OF FLAT BED TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT WAS PINCHED BY THE SEAT TRACK. THE COST WAS OVER $4,000. THEY SAID THAT THE INSTALLED ZIP TIES AND THAT THE WIRE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES AGAIN, THEY ALSO REPLACED CARPET, FUSE BOX, JUNCTION CLOCK, SIR MODULE, (CARPET, HARNESS, MODULE, BLOCK, HARNESS, FUSE KIT, FUSE, COIL KIT, HEATER YES TWO HARNESS WERE REPLACED) AND THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. THIS THEN HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, HOWEVER WE TOOK IT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP IN AL BENTLEY GMC THEY DETERMINED THAT ORIGINAL REPAIR WIRE SHORTEN OUT THE SYSTEM, THE WIRING HARNESS BECAME UNFASTENED AND WAS CUT BY THE SEAT TRACK. THIS TIME DUE TO MY WIFE QUICK THINKING THERE WAS LESS DAMAGE (TURNED OFF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND LEFT VEHICLE IN PARKING SPOT.) FIRST TIME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. BOTH TIMES PARTS REPLACED WE HAVE OLD PARTS IN OUR HOUSE MINUS- CARPET. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED NO RECALL ON TRUCK. DEALERSHIP SAID NO MALFUNCTION OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH FUSES DID NOT BREAK CURRENT. SECOND TIME OCCURRED IN JUNE 2009 PART NUMBERS 15191717,15406165, 12210609, 15075526, 12474331, 88909754, 88914568, 26087310, 88934564. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326080
Incident
Jul 24, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2009

EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER FAILED TO LATCH IN LOCKED POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289487
Incident
Sep 15, 2009
Mileage
64,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet S10 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018300—
2017100—
2016100—
2007010—
2006110—
2005010—
2004Viewing213046.8
20031784051.0
20022133259.6
20013085361.9
20004719364.5
19992315363.5
199861311363.9
19974698465.2
199666810466.4
19959118668.8
19949678566.9
19932336569.3
19921806569.5
19911749768.1
1990295463.7
1989485564.0
1988374160.3
1987275461.5
1986224364.3
1985113369.7
1984843—
1983743—
1982251—
1981100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.