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2002 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

139 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

Structure complaints

73 reports
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86,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 11/26/14*CN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 11/26/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TWO GAS LEAKS. UPDATED 10/5/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10643390

89,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR, THE DOOR FRACTURED BECAUSE THE HINGES AND THE CABLES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR, THE DOOR FRACTURED BECAUSE THE HINGES AND THE CABLES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502812

89,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS FRACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS FOR THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471235

150,000 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2002 CHEVY S10 LS CREW CAB THE DOOR STRIKERS CAVED INTO THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE.THIS HAPPENED WITH IN ONE DAY OF EACH OTHER. ON PHOTOGRAPHED INSPECTION THE STEEL HAD RIPPED IN THE SHAPE OF THE CLIP BEHIND THE DOOR STRIKERS AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW IN DESIGN,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLED…

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2002 CHEVY S10 LS CREW CAB THE DOOR STRIKERS CAVED INTO THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE.THIS HAPPENED WITH IN ONE DAY OF EACH OTHER. ON PHOTOGRAPHED INSPECTION THE STEEL HAD RIPPED IN THE SHAPE OF THE CLIP BEHIND THE DOOR STRIKERS AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW IN DESIGN,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW LAUNCHED A COMPLAINT WITH PHOTOS HE TOOK AS WELL. CHEVY SAID THE TRUCK WAS TO OLD, EVIDENTLY THE DOORS CAN FALL OFF YOUR TRUCK IN 8 YEARS AND CHEVY DOES NOT CARE. I HAD TO WELD THE STEEL MY SELF SINCE THE DOORS WOULD NOT SHUT. CHEVY WILL BE HIT WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT EVENTUALLY WHEN SOMEONE FALLS OUT OF THEIR CRAPPY TRUCK. UNLIKE TOYOTA WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS CHEVY WILL JUST GIVE YOU THE MIDDLE FINGER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY TRUCK UNLESS IT IS A 74 OR UNDER.SHAME ON CHEVY FOR SELLING SHOTTY CARS AND TRUCKS NO WONDER THEY WERE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. NOW MY DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WON'T LOCK THE PLASTIC SEAT HANDLE SNAPPED OFF AND THE VISORS ON BOTH SIDE THE PLASTIC MIRROR HINGES JUST CRUMBLED BAD PLASTIC I CAN LIVE WITH BUT DOOR STRIKERS FALLING INTO THE FRAME I JUST CAN'T CONDONE THAT. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT SINCE DAY ONE ,WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK. A REAL WASTE OF MONEY DIDN'T EVEN LAST 10 YEARS. CUSTOMER NO SERVICE AT CHEVY WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND FRUSTRATING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS THE DOOR STRIKERS RIPPING OUT IS AN ISSUE OF BEING TO OLD IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE PERIOD AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355872

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2010
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED BUT THEY WERE UNAWARE WHAT CAUSED IT CRACK. THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED BUT THEY WERE UNAWARE WHAT CAUSED IT CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,628.

NHTSA ODI #10353449

47,813 miles · May 3, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER S-10. THE CONTACT STATED IN RAINY WEATHER, THE RAIN WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER S-10. THE CONTACT STATED IN RAINY WEATHER, THE RAIN WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,813. UPDATED 07/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/19/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10328565

52,634 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Structure

FRAME CRACK PASSENGER SIDE. 2002 S-10. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328272

25,000 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Structure

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE SPARE TIRE UNDER BODY ATTACHMENT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE SPARE TIRE UNDER BODY ATTACHMENT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326387

110,000 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Structure

DOOR HINGES WERE WELDED FROM FACTORY THE WELDS LOOKED POOR JUST SPOT WELDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284617

49,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAILGATE CABLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAILGATE CABLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE TAILGATE DRAGGED ONTO THE ROAD SURFACE DUE TO THE FAULTY CABLE. THE TAILGATE WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273095

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA05008 · Tailgate Support Cables

Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed May 19, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.

RQ04012 · Tailgate Support Cable(s) Break

Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.