IllustrationTRUCK OR VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S10 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
3925–50K
3250–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE AIR BAG WITH THE SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE AIR BAG WITH THE SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE PARK, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE LIGHTS DIM. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EMPTY EVEN WH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE PARK, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE LIGHTS DIM. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EMPTY EVEN WHEN IT IS FULL OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
STARTED WITH ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYING ON THE FUEL GAUGE SAYS LOW FUEL AND FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND THE INDICATOR THAT TELLS WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN NO LONGER VISIBLE. *TR
BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID TO THE POINT THAT THE POST COMPLETELY DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE BATTERY UNIT. WHEN EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM VERY FREQUENTLY WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO POWER. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY DRIVING WHEN THE CABLE DISCONNECTED IT COULD HAVE CAU…
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BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID TO THE POINT THAT THE POST COMPLETELY DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE BATTERY UNIT. WHEN EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM VERY FREQUENTLY WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO POWER. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY DRIVING WHEN THE CABLE DISCONNECTED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PROBLEMS. *NM
2002 CHEVY S-10 BATTERY ACID LEAKED. *TS *JB
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 3, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE HAD SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH. ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FUSE BOX HAD SHORTED OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT Y…
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DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 3, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE HAD SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH. ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FUSE BOX HAD SHORTED OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *NM
TRUCK STARTED STALLING, WHILE AT IDOL AND WHEN I PUT INTO DRIVE. IT AS IF IT HAS NO GAS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE OWNER SMELLED BURNING WIRES. THE ALARM WENT OFF, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED MOVING, AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INADVERTENTLY. ALSO, THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ,WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSTRUCTE…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE OWNER SMELLED BURNING WIRES. THE ALARM WENT OFF, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED MOVING, AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INADVERTENTLY. ALSO, THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ,WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSTRUCTED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A G.M. DEALERSHIP. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND HAD BEEN RUN UNDER THE CARPET ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEY WERE WORN AND CORRODED, THE WIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONETS MALFUNCTIONING. *JB
A/C FAN EITHER STOPS FUNCTIONING OR SLOWS TO LOW AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS (USUALLY 20-25 MINUTES) RUNNING FAN ON HIGH AT MAX COOL DURING PERIODS OF HOT (75-80 DEGREES) WEATHER. TURNING FAN AND A/C OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES TEMPORARILY RESOLVES PROBLEM. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE UNLESS THEY HAVE VEHICLE IN FAILURE MODE, WHICH IS U…
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A/C FAN EITHER STOPS FUNCTIONING OR SLOWS TO LOW AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS (USUALLY 20-25 MINUTES) RUNNING FAN ON HIGH AT MAX COOL DURING PERIODS OF HOT (75-80 DEGREES) WEATHER. TURNING FAN AND A/C OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES TEMPORARILY RESOLVES PROBLEM. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE UNLESS THEY HAVE VEHICLE IN FAILURE MODE, WHICH IS USUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH. IT ACTS ALMOST AS THOUGH THE A/C SYSTEM HAD AN OVERLOAD SWITCH ON IT THAT TEMPORARILY SHUTS UNIT DOWN.L. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
2EA05008 · 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.