2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 4.3 V6 from North America

Summary:

I am sorely disappointed, and I used to be a die hard Chevy fan

Faults:

I have a 2003 ZR2 S-10 which has had problems identical to those listed in another review for a Sonoma.

I have had problems with the window on both doors getting stuck on the weather striping and not rolling up completely at speeds over 40 miles per hour.

This was corrected by replacing the tracks in the doors and weather seals as well.

The lower ball joints failed at 30,000 miles. This was discovered when the truck was taken in to get a front end alignment.

During the front end alignment, the idler arm was also found to be faulty, which was then replaced.

After the alignment was done the tires were found to be worn very badly. The Chevrolet dealer, nor the tire manufacturer would replace them under warranty, so I have been driving around on tires that cause the truck to shake at speed above 50 miles per hour. To date, neither company will own up to being responsible for the tires being ruined despite a documented cause.

Since then, the air conditioner controls have failed and have been serviced 4 times and during the 4th repair job, the service department incorrectly reassembled the dash and told me "the dash can only be taken apart so many times and be expected to go back together correctly".

Now they are telling me that the failure has to do with transmission fluid in the vacuum lines. Since I have found other reports of this, I am going to get it repaired one more time.

If this does not fix the problem, I will be selling the truck due to chronic failures that are evidently beyond the service departments ability to repair.

General Comments:

I like the power and handling, as well as the look. The biggest disappointment is that the sticker claimed that it would get 16 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway. The fact is that it gets around 16 miles per gallon on the highway if you drive from the time you get gas until it runs out without stopping. So needless to say, it does not get the mileage claimed by Chevrolet even under ideal driving conditions.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th April, 2005

5th Apr 2005, 05:16

What a shame! You must be so disappointed in this truck. My brother had both the truck and Blazer version of the ZR2 package, and they were both riddled with expensive problems. I hope you do not have the hub/anti-lock brake sensor problems he had at $500 per wheel to repair. I also remember an annoying problem he had with the seat recline lever. It was constantly breaking off. It was a great looking package, but GM should have done more homework on this product line. Time will tell if the Colorado/Canyon line is a step in the right direction for them.

2003 Chevrolet S-10 Base 2.2L from North America

Summary:

Good basic transportation

Faults:

Nothing!!

General Comments:

Overall, good basic truck.

Not very roomy in single-cabs.

Pretty slow acceleration, but accommodates in fuel economy, drove from Florida to Indiana at 75-80mph (no cruise control) and stopped only once for gas!

At 40K miles, brakes feel like they're beginning to show wear and the power steering may need attention soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th March, 2005

25th Oct 2005, 11:08

If you want better performance from your 2.2L, try some of these; cold air intake ($260), remove clutch fan & replace with electric ($35), throttle position enhancer chip ($90, not for auto trans), throttle body spacer ($90), fuel enriching chip ($25), swap out stock muffler for a 2.25" chambered muffler ($85), and add a A/C pump shut-off switch ($8) to your throttle cable wheel.

The most power for the dollar would be swapping for the electric fan, and adding the A/C pump shut off switch. The switch is a roller follower limit switch (see Grainger.com p/n: 6A889). Using aluminum angle (1"x1") make a small bracket to mount the switch on the existing throttle cable bracket located on the throttle body. You may need to file/cut the existing cable bracket so the roller on the switch follows on top the throttle cable wheel. As the throttle is moved, the switch should "click" around 70-80% throttle opening. Wire the "normally OPEN" side of the switch in series with the green power wire leading to the A/C pump's clutch. Mode of operation: when throttle is greater than 70% open, power to the A/C clutch is off. This really helps on the hills!