IllustrationTHIRD DOOR LATCH BREAKS OCCASIONALLY, PREVENTING ACCESS, OR EGRESS TO THE REAR SEAT. LATCH MUST THEN BE REPLACED BEFORE DOOR CAN BE OPENED. A PERSON IN THAT REAR SEAT WOULD BE TRAPPED. PART: DOOR LATCH AND HANDLE REPLACED; OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *NM
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
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
21 reports18 MONTH OLD VEHICLE, PAINT PEELING OFF IN SHEETS DOWN TO BARE METAL ON LOWER FENDERS AND UNDER DOORS ON 2002 EXTENDED CAB S-10, RUSTING IN THOSE AREAS. TRIED TO GET CORRECTION FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. DEALER AND GM CONTACTED, REFUSED TO FIX, STATED WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, MY EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE METAL WAS NOT PR…
Read full complaint
18 MONTH OLD VEHICLE, PAINT PEELING OFF IN SHEETS DOWN TO BARE METAL ON LOWER FENDERS AND UNDER DOORS ON 2002 EXTENDED CAB S-10, RUSTING IN THOSE AREAS. TRIED TO GET CORRECTION FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. DEALER AND GM CONTACTED, REFUSED TO FIX, STATED WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, MY EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CLEANED BEFORE PAINTING. NEVER IN MY 70 YEARS HAVE I OWNED OR SEEN A VEHICLE'S FINISH PEEL OFF IN SHEETS. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND HAD RHINO TRUCK BED FINISH SPRAYED ON FENDER EDGES, ROCKER PANELS AND LOWER DOORS TO STOP THE RUSTING. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SERVICE FOR THIS AND OTHER DEFECTS (BROKEN LATCHES AND TAILGATE CABLES) ON MY S-10. *NM
THE THIRD DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED THREE TIMES ON MY 2002 S10 CHEVROLET PICKUP VIN:1GCS19W629114870 AS FOLLOWS: 1ST AT 10,842 MILES, 2ND AROUND 40,000 MILES REPAIRED ON 10,842 MILES AND THE THIRD TIME TODAY AT 57,175. I BELIEVE THIS PRESENTS A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THERE BE A FIRE AND SOMEONE WAS IN THE REAR SEAT BECAUSE…
Read full complaint
THE THIRD DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED THREE TIMES ON MY 2002 S10 CHEVROLET PICKUP VIN:1GCS19W629114870 AS FOLLOWS: 1ST AT 10,842 MILES, 2ND AROUND 40,000 MILES REPAIRED ON 10,842 MILES AND THE THIRD TIME TODAY AT 57,175. I BELIEVE THIS PRESENTS A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THERE BE A FIRE AND SOMEONE WAS IN THE REAR SEAT BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT GET OUT AS THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THIS DOOR LATCH IS NON-METAL AND APPARENTLY PRONE TO FAILURE. *NM
DRIVERS DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. NO LONGER CAN LATCH, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A ISSUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF DOOR COMING OPEN OR ROUNDING A CURVE. ON 9-13-04 MY 3RD DOOR LATCH WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO BREAKAGE OF HANDLE .NOW TO THIS DATE I HAVE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WITH THE SAME FAILURE OF DRIVERS DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC SY…
Read full complaint
DRIVERS DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. NO LONGER CAN LATCH, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A ISSUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF DOOR COMING OPEN OR ROUNDING A CURVE. ON 9-13-04 MY 3RD DOOR LATCH WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO BREAKAGE OF HANDLE .NOW TO THIS DATE I HAVE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WITH THE SAME FAILURE OF DRIVERS DOOR. THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS NOT GREAT AND PLASTIC LATCHES. SOME TYPE OF SPRING FAILURE FROM DIRT AND WATER INTRUSION. *JB
DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. *JB
LEFT CABLE ON THE TAILGATE BROKE AND THE GATE FELL TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE CORNER OF THE GATE TO BEND AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE
2002 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP. FAILURE OF TAILGATE CABLES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE IN THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE CLOSE POSITION BEND. BOTH CABLES APPEAR TO BE OF IRON MATERIAL. I KNOW OTHER CHEVROLET TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS CABLE WITH A STEEL MATERIAL CABLE. WHY WAS THE S10 NOT …
Read full complaint
2002 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP. FAILURE OF TAILGATE CABLES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE IN THE GENERAL LOCATION OF THE CLOSE POSITION BEND. BOTH CABLES APPEAR TO BE OF IRON MATERIAL. I KNOW OTHER CHEVROLET TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS CABLE WITH A STEEL MATERIAL CABLE. WHY WAS THE S10 NOT ON THIS RECALL LISTING? IT'S THE SAME CABLE AS ON UNITS RECALLED? REPLACEMENT COST = $90.00 PER CABLE PLUS TAX OR $180.00 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART - SHOULD NOT BE A CUSTOMER EXPENSE.
(1) NONE (2) CABLE ON TAILGATE LATCH BROKE. (LATCH2507F PART NUMBER 15726085) I JUST NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE CABLE WAS BROKEN. NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES SINCE I NOTICED THE FAILURE. (3) I REPLACED THE TAILGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS.
AS I OPENED TEH TAILGATE TO MY S-10 CREW CAB THE CABLE BROKE ON BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS NO WEIGHT ON THE TAILGATE EXCEPT THE WEIGHT OF THE UNIT ITSELF. I KNOW THE BIGGER TRUCKS ARE RECALLED WHY ARE THESE NOT RECALLED. LOOKING INTO THE BROKEN PROTECTIVE COATING AROUND THE CABLE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT IS RUSTED THRU. PLEASE GET THIS …
Read full complaint
AS I OPENED TEH TAILGATE TO MY S-10 CREW CAB THE CABLE BROKE ON BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS NO WEIGHT ON THE TAILGATE EXCEPT THE WEIGHT OF THE UNIT ITSELF. I KNOW THE BIGGER TRUCKS ARE RECALLED WHY ARE THESE NOT RECALLED. LOOKING INTO THE BROKEN PROTECTIVE COATING AROUND THE CABLE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT IS RUSTED THRU. PLEASE GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
AFTER LOWERING MY S10 PICK UP TRUCK TAILGATE I CLIMBED ONTO IT TO GET INTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAP. THIS CAUSED THE TAILGATE TO DROP LOWER TO WHERE IT HIT THE TOP OF THE BUMPER. I WAS ON MY KNEES AND FELL OFF THE TAILGATE. THESE ARE UNDER A RECALL FOR THE FULL SIZED …
Read full complaint
AFTER LOWERING MY S10 PICK UP TRUCK TAILGATE I CLIMBED ONTO IT TO GET INTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAP. THIS CAUSED THE TAILGATE TO DROP LOWER TO WHERE IT HIT THE TOP OF THE BUMPER. I WAS ON MY KNEES AND FELL OFF THE TAILGATE. THESE ARE UNDER A RECALL FOR THE FULL SIZED CHEVROLET TRUCKS BUT NOT THE S10. WHY? *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.