This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Twice now while lightly applying brakes to come to a stop at an intersection the antilock brake system engaged. Since it was unexpected I almost didn't come to a stop in time before rolling into the intersection into traffic. The ABS warning indicator was illuminated intermittently before this with recorded DTC C0268 (Pump motor circuit shorted). Also the transfer case input shaft seal failed which caused transmission fluid to leak into the transfer case, completely filling it. That caused the transfer case vacuum switch to fail and transmission fluid was sucked into the vacuum lines and eat through them causing a vacuum leak. Because of the vacuum leak, whenever I would accelerate to highway speeds and the engine would use what vacuum it could, the 4WD actuator would lose its vacuum then regain it when the RPM's dropped and try to lock the front axle while at highway speeds which would cause the truck to jerk and the gears to grind. And lastly the Airbag warning indicator is always illuminated for reasons I do not know.
2003 Chevy S10 has been maintained and taking care of. Brakes in rear were sticking due to factory defective ABS control module. Rear wheel bearing gave out and started leaking axle fluid cause of a sticking drivers side brake from ABS control module malfunctioning. After much cost of replacing calipers and brake pads the culprit from a defectively ABS control module making the brake caliper stick to the rotor.. Next the coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket and now the heater core leaks-?? this truck has only 146k miles on it and I always taking care of it keeping up before it-??s schedule maintenance. But what I see is poor defective parts from GM. SO I have to make sure I get this work done and keep the coolant filled or there be a motor issue from overheating. This is a SAFETY concern and if the heater core leaks then breathing the toxic coolants isn-??t safe at all when the AC is on or no heat in winter!. Now GM discontinued making the S10 in North America but redesigned a front wheel drive diesel version in South America.
Truck was purchased 7/7/20. Seemed to work fine, but started noticing engine trouble on 9/10/20. Had only driven it ~150 miles since purchase, never any strenuous driving. Took it in to get serviced on 9/21/20, where several problems were spotted, one of which is traceable to the dealer: 1) the distributor cap was being held on only by two zipties. This is why it seemed to run fine on the date of purchase, but caused engine misfires within a few months of light use. The dealership notified me the day before I purchased it that the distributor was being fixed, but they failed to notify me that it wasn't fixed properly. Truck now misfires, has an arcing wire, and is unsafe to drive. 2)truck was sold with no parking brake, and no warning that it was not installed. This information has omitted when I asked about safety issues before purchasing. Never noticed because phx is so flat. Had I needed to use the parking brake, not having one installed is a significant safety issue. 3) an impact sensor was left hanging from the rear of the vehicle. A large enough bump or a rock could set off airbags while driving, putting my passengers, myself, and other drivers and pedestrians at serious risk. This truck is very unsafe to drive, and I was not responsible for any of the issues that made it unsafe. The first issue was caused by a bad repair made by the dealership, and the other two noted issues were not noted in the carfax or by the salesperson when I asked about safety issues.
Total sudden brake failure I had to leave the road to avoid other cars. 40mph front right steal line failed and right rear line failed at the same time lines are rusty but the rest of the truck is ok there was no warning signs ( like drips or low level in the booster)
[xxx] S-10 extended bed I am the second owner of this truck and a month after I purchased it I noticed what ever speed you were going if you pressed on your brakes the truck would slip under nether you. I was alarmed the first time and than it happened again and then again. I brought the car to the mechanic, and new brakes and calipers were changed on the rear, $$$. I was feeling much safer until soon after the problem resurfaced. I brought it back to the mechanic -nothing. Then again and again. He did replace my front brakes $$. still the problem remained. I changed mechanic and he stated it is ABS, it happens a lot in this vehicle and he see it all the time. This is a very dangerous situation where the truck does not have the ability to stop...please help! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- New Canaan, CT, USA
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On August 14, 2014 the rear brake line rusted through and fluid was spilled onto the road. Fortunately I was leaving my home and only going about 10 mph and there were no injuries. The S-10 has 65500 miles on it. It cost $700 to repair at the GM dealer. In November 2013 the front brake line rusted through as I was leaving work and had to stop at traffic light. Once again I was fortunate that I was traveling in a school zone and only going 15 mph when they gave out. It cost $1600 for the repairs. It has 58000 miles on it at the time. I can only image the danger associated with these brake failures as I travel in the nys thruway and long island expressway regularly at speeds of 65-70 mph. I am fearful of the next rust through as the rear brakes lines were repaired not replaced.
Driving back home from the grocery store. Brake pedal went to the floor. Nursed the truck to the house. Reservoir almost empty. Refilled reservoir with brake fluid. Checked under truck and found that the left rear wheel was coated with brake fluid. Pulled the rear wheel to find the leak. Brake lines coated with fluid. I had my wife come out to pump the brake pedal while I was under the truck. Leak found in the hard line about 2 inches from the flexible line to the hard line connection.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The contact was approaching a traffic stop when he applied the brakes and the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard, causing the contact to become involved in a crash that involved four additional vehicles. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 04/29/14
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that while attempting to apply the parking brake, it failed to engage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repair or inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90000. Updated 11/15/13
My wife was picking up our 2 year old and 6 year old granddaughters from their home and bringing them to our house to babysit them. Traveling at 35-45 mph she depressed the brake pedal to stop and the pedal slowly went to the floorboard. She finally made it home and she told me about it. I looked under the vehicle and noticed something leaking from the under carriage. I jacked the vehicle up and inspected the brake lines and discovered that the brake lines were rusted and one had cracked. I am a retired vehicle technician with over 50 years of experience on all types of automotive repair. I have never seen this much rust on a vehicle (2003 Chevrolet S10 with only 55,000 miles) in all my years of service. We inherited this truck from my father-in-law who passed away. He lived in Kentucky, so it was subject to unpaved roads, snow, salt, etc. We live in Florida, and decided to keep the truck for sentimental reasons. I had to replace the entire brake system, brake pads, rotors calipers, backing plates, ABS sensors, and now a brake line. I undercoated the vehicle and got as much rust off the frame as I possibly could. The front wheel hubs probably are next because the ABS brake system doesn't work properly. I spent a lot of time and money on this vehicle. GM should be made accountable for this problem before somebody gets hurt or killed. In my opinion it is a priority safety issue that needs attention and General Motors should be responsible for it.
Severe "from the outside in" corrosion to all "hard" brake lines, causing hydraulic failures on two dates (within) two months, result being all the hard brake lines requiring replacement. Cost in excess of $1200, only viable option would have been to scrap vehicle. During hydraulic failures, service rear brakes totally unavailable. Fluid squirting into space. Front brakes partially effective. Not real safe.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pittsburg, KS, USA