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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

14 reports
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98,500 miles · Feb 23, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

BROKEN FUEL LINE BELOW DRIVERS SEAT. WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, I REACHED INSIDE AND STARTED THE IGNITION, AFTER WHICH I SAW AN APPROACHING FLUID COMING TOWARD MY FEET. WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM-UP, I LOADED THE VEHICLE WITH SOME PERSONAL ITEMS (LUNCH BAG, COFFEE) AND THEN GOT INSIDE, CLOSED THE DOOR AND …

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BROKEN FUEL LINE BELOW DRIVERS SEAT. WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, I REACHED INSIDE AND STARTED THE IGNITION, AFTER WHICH I SAW AN APPROACHING FLUID COMING TOWARD MY FEET. WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM-UP, I LOADED THE VEHICLE WITH SOME PERSONAL ITEMS (LUNCH BAG, COFFEE) AND THEN GOT INSIDE, CLOSED THE DOOR AND CONTINUED TO LET THE ENGINE WARM-UP. I ASKED MY PASSENGER IF THEY TOO COULD SMELL GASOLINE. WE BOTH AGREED THAT THE SMELL WAS EXTREMELY STRONG AT WHICH TIME I OPENED THE DOOR TO CHECK THE SOURCE. I SAW THAT THE APPROACHING FLUID I HAD SEEN ON THE GROUND EARLIER WAS NOW BEING PUMPED OUT AT A GREAT RATE AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND TOLD MY PASSENGER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO A BROKEN FUEL LINE. THERE HAS BEEN NO WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. NOBODY HAS TOUCHED THE TRUCK AND I AM NOT AWARE OF THIS BEING AN EARLIER PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE CHOSE TO DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT!!! THANK GOD WE WEREN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS AS SOON AS I GET HOME FROM WORK TONIGHT. * UPDATE: IN ORDER TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, I NEEDED THE VIN NUMBER... SO I CALLED MY NEIGHBOR AND HE WENT TO GO GET IT AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING GASOLINE. I WILL PROBABLY BE LEAVING WORK TO SECURE THE SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183327

31,925 miles · Oct 20, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER 31K MILES. CHEVROLET 2002 S10 PICKUP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171416

31,925 miles · Oct 20, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE BOLT OF RIGHT SIDE IN THE GAS TANK WAS MISSING WHEN I SENT THE TRUCK TO FIX IN STOCKER CHEVROLET IN 701 BENNER PIKE, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801, ON 10/19/06. MY VEHICLE IS CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP, 2002, MILEAGE 31K. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171415

4,025 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10131106

49,000 miles · Jul 11, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

I BOUGHT MY 2002 CHEVY S10 TRUCK IN JUNE OF 2002. OCTOBER 21, 2002 AT 4035 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED. JANUARY 2003 THE HEAT SENSOR FOR THE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS THE BLOWER WORKED BUT THE HEAT WOULDN'T. MARCH 4, 2004 AT 26, 345 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD TO BE ADJUSTED NOT C…

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I BOUGHT MY 2002 CHEVY S10 TRUCK IN JUNE OF 2002. OCTOBER 21, 2002 AT 4035 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED. JANUARY 2003 THE HEAT SENSOR FOR THE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS THE BLOWER WORKED BUT THE HEAT WOULDN'T. MARCH 4, 2004 AT 26, 345 MILES THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD TO BE ADJUSTED NOT CLOSING PROPERLY, THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WASN'T ALIGNED AND WOULDN'T LOCK IN PLACE NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. JULY 8TH THE FUEL PUMP MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10128305

24,324 miles · Apr 26, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TRUCK STARTED STALLING, WHILE AT IDOL AND WHEN I PUT INTO DRIVE. IT AS IF IT HAS NO GAS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118498

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

1)FUEL GUAGE STUCK AT AROUND 1/4 OF A TANK WHEN 1/4 OR BELOW. HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO GET ACCURATE READING. HAS RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN SHOWING 1/4 OF TANK. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP - REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. TOOK BACK AGAIN AND OTHER ITEMS WERE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE FIXED, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN …

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1)FUEL GUAGE STUCK AT AROUND 1/4 OF A TANK WHEN 1/4 OR BELOW. HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO GET ACCURATE READING. HAS RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN SHOWING 1/4 OF TANK. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP - REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. TOOK BACK AGAIN AND OTHER ITEMS WERE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE FIXED, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN 1 WEEK. 2)"POPPING" NOISE HEARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE FRONT END. TOOK IN SAME TIME AS THE FIRST GASOLINE INCIDENT. REPLACED BALL JOINT AND GREASED FRONT END. SEEMED FINE UNTIL ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER AND THEN NOISE CAME BACK, ALONG WITH A VERY BAD "BOUNCING" IN THE FRONT END THAT MADE IT FEEL LIKE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS COMMING OFF. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP (SAME TIME AS SECOND GASOLINE VISIT) SAID THAT IT WAS THE "DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE" - BUT YET IT NEVER DID THIS UNTIL THEN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10056205

55,000 miles · Dec 31, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 CHEVROLET S10 HAS HAD TO HAVE NEW FUEL PUMP MODULE PUT ON 03/19/03 AND HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN ON 12/31/03. HAD LEAK IN OIL PAN, LEAK IN WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE TRUCK HAD 29,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND 55,000 THIS TIME WHEN IT WENT OUT. I FEEL THAT IS ENTIRELY TOO FREQUENT FOR FUEL PUMPS TO…

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2002 CHEVROLET S10 HAS HAD TO HAVE NEW FUEL PUMP MODULE PUT ON 03/19/03 AND HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN ON 12/31/03. HAD LEAK IN OIL PAN, LEAK IN WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE TRUCK HAD 29,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND 55,000 THIS TIME WHEN IT WENT OUT. I FEEL THAT IS ENTIRELY TOO FREQUENT FOR FUEL PUMPS TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10051447

4,103 miles · Apr 23, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR IS DANGEROUS IN THAT IT MISFIRES IN HIGHER SPEED CONDITIONS. CHEVY EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND 2 DEALERS (O'CONNOR & BOB JOHNSON IN NY) REFUSED WARRANTY COVERAGE AFTER THEIR 4TH ATTEMPT FAILED TO CURE THE PROBLEM. 2 INDEPENDENT SHOPS VERIFIED PROBLEM. CHEVY EXECUTIVE OFFICE (MS. MANN) REFUSED TO CALL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR AN…

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CAR IS DANGEROUS IN THAT IT MISFIRES IN HIGHER SPEED CONDITIONS. CHEVY EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND 2 DEALERS (O'CONNOR & BOB JOHNSON IN NY) REFUSED WARRANTY COVERAGE AFTER THEIR 4TH ATTEMPT FAILED TO CURE THE PROBLEM. 2 INDEPENDENT SHOPS VERIFIED PROBLEM. CHEVY EXECUTIVE OFFICE (MS. MANN) REFUSED TO CALL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR ANY INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH THIS WOULD HAVE HELPED WITH DIAGNOSIS. CAR IS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD WITH LESS THAN 4200 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016420

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA DURING SUDDEN STOPS OR ACCELERATIONS. ALSO DURING NORMAL STOPS AND NORMAL ACCELERATION. NOISE CONTINUES TO PRESENT TIME. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016187

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.