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2001 Chevrolet S10

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S10 years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

186 reports with mileage · 122 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 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports6 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

308 reports
80,000 miles · Aug 24, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

1) TAIL GATE CABLE BROKE ON MY '01 S-10 PICK UP HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PART YET,THE OTHER SIDE IS SUPPORTING BY ITSELF CURRENTLY 2) AT 80000 MILES IN JAN. OF THIS YEAR THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1000. IT WAS A USED MOTOR. IT WAS KNOCKING, MISSING AND RUNNING ROUGH. PIECES OF BEARING WERE IN THE ENGINE OIL. *J…

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1) TAIL GATE CABLE BROKE ON MY '01 S-10 PICK UP HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PART YET,THE OTHER SIDE IS SUPPORTING BY ITSELF CURRENTLY 2) AT 80000 MILES IN JAN. OF THIS YEAR THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1000. IT WAS A USED MOTOR. IT WAS KNOCKING, MISSING AND RUNNING ROUGH. PIECES OF BEARING WERE IN THE ENGINE OIL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166467

112,000 miles · Aug 13, 2006
Structure

2001 CHEVY S-10 EXT. CAB 4X4 P/U TRUCK. CABLE HOLDING UP TAILGATE RUSTED THROUGH, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE TAILGATE ON MY PICK-UP TRUCK. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165367

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2006
Electrical System

GM AND/OR CHEVROLET HAS NEVER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT ME OR DELIVER NOTICES OF RECALLS OR ANY OF THE 84 SERVICE BULLETINS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM AND THE DEALERSHIP BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO ANSWER OR RESPONSE AT ALL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165223

30,000 miles · Aug 11, 2006
Power Train

NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. AT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES, THE 4X4 SHIFT ACTUATOR FAILED DURING EXTREME SNOW CONDITIONS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. SHIFT ACTUATOR REPLACED WITH GENUINE GM PART AT DEALERSHIP. NOTE: PER DEALER, SHIFT ACTUATOR IS NOT COVERED BY EITHER GM WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRAN…

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NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. AT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES, THE 4X4 SHIFT ACTUATOR FAILED DURING EXTREME SNOW CONDITIONS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. SHIFT ACTUATOR REPLACED WITH GENUINE GM PART AT DEALERSHIP. NOTE: PER DEALER, SHIFT ACTUATOR IS NOT COVERED BY EITHER GM WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON DRIVETRAIN AND AXLE. IT WAS CALLED A "NORMAL WEAR" ITEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT RESPONDED TO EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165221

41,000 miles · Aug 11, 2006
Suspension

NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. LOWER BALL JOINTS DETERIORATED BEYOND USE AT 40000 MILES RESULTING IN SOME TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. DEALER RESPONSE WAS "NORMAL WEAR ITEM* , NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THESE FACTORY BALL JOINTS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH GREASE FITTINGS, THUS CANNOT BE LUBRICATED. BALL JOINTS REPLACED WITH A…

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NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. LOWER BALL JOINTS DETERIORATED BEYOND USE AT 40000 MILES RESULTING IN SOME TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. DEALER RESPONSE WAS "NORMAL WEAR ITEM* , NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THESE FACTORY BALL JOINTS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH GREASE FITTINGS, THUS CANNOT BE LUBRICATED. BALL JOINTS REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. PIECES OF ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ANY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165218

109,000 miles · Aug 5, 2006
Structure

THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TAIL GATE IN POSITION BROKE THAT HOLD THE TAILGATE IN A LEVEL POSITION. ONE BROKE FIRST AND I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRUCK AND WAS INFORMED NO THEY WERE THINKING ABOUT EXTENDING IT. MY SON WAS ALMOST HURT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164613

52,000 miles · Aug 4, 2006
StructureInjury

1. NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE 2. BOTH TAILGATE CABLES RUSTED, BROKE IN HALF WHILE LOWERING GATE, MINOR BRUISING TO DRIVER AND SCRATCHES ON TAILGATE FINISH. 3. CABLES APPARENTLY CANNOT BE REPLACED, ATTACHMENT TO TAILGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY SEEMS TO BE PERMANENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164534

89,000 miles · Aug 4, 2006
SteeringSuspension

IN MAY OF 2004 MY IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. I STARTED TO NOTICE EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES BY OCTOBER 2004. AROUND THANKSGIVING I WAS DRIVING UP MY STREET, AND LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS I DROVE AROUND A CURVE AND ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DID NOT CRASH, BUT I HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS…

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IN MAY OF 2004 MY IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. I STARTED TO NOTICE EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES BY OCTOBER 2004. AROUND THANKSGIVING I WAS DRIVING UP MY STREET, AND LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS I DROVE AROUND A CURVE AND ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DID NOT CRASH, BUT I HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE IDLER ARM REPLACED AGAIN, AND THEN NEW TIRES PUT ON THE TRUCK. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END, AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AGAIN. THE STEERING IS LOOSE, AND AROUND CURVES IT SEEMS TO SLIP, AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM ABOUT TO LOOSE CONTROL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164478

50,000 miles · Jun 28, 2006
Structure

WE WERE LOADING A COUCH ONTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK WHEN BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE CAUSING MY TAILGATE TO REST ON THE REAR BUMPER. CAUSED A SLIGHT CREASE / MARK ON THE TAILGATE. BOTH CABLES APPEAR TO BE RUSTED AND BROKE IN THE SAME LOCATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160958

89,000 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160320

Official recalls

1

00V228003 · Seat Belts

Aug 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

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

3

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.

PE02066 · Engine Stall Due To Fuel Starvation

Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Nov 3, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Fuel System, Other

ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.