I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF MY S-10 ZR2, THE 3RD DOOR HAS BEEN UNUSABLE WITH SUBSTANTIAL COSTS PUT INTO IT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. IT WOULD BE NICE IF CHEVROLET WOULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE SOMEONE RIDE IN THE THIRD SEAT. *TR
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
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.
Equipment complaints
6 reportsMY CHEVY 2002 S10 PICKUP TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WITHIN 1 YEAR AND MY AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT IN JUNE 2003....I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY!! THE TAILGATE HIT MY FOOT AND BRUISED IT GOOD. *NM
FOLLOWING ARE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE OWNING IT. ALL OF WHICH I FEEL HAS CAUSED ME GREAT INCONVENIENCE, AND RECENTLY TOO MUCH MONEY. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO GMC JUST TODAY TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE AND COST. OCTOBER 21, 2002 AT 4035 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED, (UN…
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FOLLOWING ARE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE OWNING IT. ALL OF WHICH I FEEL HAS CAUSED ME GREAT INCONVENIENCE, AND RECENTLY TOO MUCH MONEY. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO GMC JUST TODAY TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE AND COST. OCTOBER 21, 2002 AT 4035 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED, (UNDER WARRANTY) AT DOAN CHEVY. SOMEWHERE AROUND JANUARY 2003, A SENSOR FOR THE HEATER SHIELD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT DOAN CHEVY. MARCH 4, 2004 AT 26,345 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS AGAIN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT DOAN CHEVY. MARCH 29, 2004 THE DRIVERS?? DOOR NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED IT NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY, AS DID THE PASSENGER VISOR NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED BECAUSE IT NEVER WOULD SNAP SHUT, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT DOAN CHEVY. AFTER BEING STRANDED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING IT, ON JULY 8, 2005 THE FUEL PUMP MODULATOR WAS REPLACED AT A REPAIR SHOP OWNED BY A PREVIOUS HALLMAN CHEVROLET MECHANIC IN ROCHESTER, NY - SAM LOVETRO AUTOMOTIVE 44 RICHOMD STREET, ROCHESTER, NY 14607. PHONE NUMBER 585-262-4585. NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AS THE WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 36,000 MILES. THIS COST ME $671.98. FRIDAY, JULY 1ST TO FIND THE PROBLEM, TOOK IT BACK INTO THE SHOP TUESDAY JULY 5TH PICKED IT BACK UP ON FRIDAY JULY 8TH, 2005. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2ND 2005 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN! I REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER PENNY FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED; THERE HAVE BEEN FAR TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS "NEW" VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 49,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALSO EMAILED DOAN CHEVY WITH MY COMPLAINTSL. I REALLY WOULD HOPE THAT GM WOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND RESPECT THEIR CUSTOMERS. SO FAR I AM NOT SEEING THIS. I CAN NOT AFFORD ANY MORE MONEY TO BE SPENT ON THIS; I JUST PUT $1000.00 INTO THIS TRUCK IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS. IT HAS HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP ON JUNE 23, 2005 THIS COST ME $236.30. *JB
IF LARGE TIRES ARE PLACED ON THE REAR AND SMALLER TIRES PLACED ON THE FRONT, THE YELLOW AND RED ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT A WARNING STICKER SHOULD STATE THIS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SERVICE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT PLACED THE TIRES ON REGARDLESS. MR SCC *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CONSOLE/ARM REST (IN THE OPEN POSITION) WILL EXPEL THE CONTENTS FROM THE CAVITY ONTO THE REAR FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. SCC
CONSUMER HAS BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR A CREAKING NOISE HEARD IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THROTTLE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE OVERRUNS THE CRUISE CONTROL…
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CONSUMER HAS BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR A CREAKING NOISE HEARD IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THROTTLE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE OVERRUNS THE CRUISE CONTROL FROM 3 TO 6 MILES PER HOUR. *JG *JB *NLM. *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.
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