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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →

214Owner complaints

Model-year median: 42.5

0Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2002 Chevrolet S10

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 214 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

Structure: 73 reports
Latches/locks/linkages: 21 reports
Power Train: 17 reports
Air Bags: 15 reports
Electrical System: 15 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year

Compare all S10 years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure

73 Latches/locks/linkages

21 Power Train

17 Air Bags

15 Electrical System

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

0–25K

25–50K

50–75K

75–100K

100–150K

150K+

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

Seats complaints

7 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2026

Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

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The seat position on this vehicle + all other vehicle my family have do not fit a adult w a 32 “ sitting hight 22 in shoulder hight @less than 160 lbs the seatbelt become deadly and airbag a peg vaggio 120 anchored to seat w a retro fit kit it is attached solid corrects seatbelt geometry leave me 15. “ from the wheel. Peddle extension are allready leaguel for short individual a high back anchor booster seat is a better idea for an operator to be driving a vehicle, and then an unattached booster cushion that they still have to put 2-3/4on top of each other pleat test for driving positions highback booster for small drivers you should make it a federal law for everyone safety I’ve already sent multiple other pictures and here comes more if it will allow me to not a state law you should make it a federal law for everyone’s safety and all points of the United States. End of story that if you’re under 5 foot nine for everyone safety especially if they’re under 170 pounds you could operate a vehicle in the booster seat behind the steering wheel. Any vehicle seating position is for a 5 foot nine occupant.

NHTSA ODI #11762526

22,000 miles · Apr 10, 2007

Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 22,000 . ON FEBRUARY 13, 2007 H THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A DRY DAY WHEN A VEHICLE GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH HIT HIM IN THE REAR , CAUSING THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. UPON IMPACT, NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO REASON WAS GIVEN FOR WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE. UPDATED 05/08/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187473

55,000 miles · Nov 11, 2006

SeatsVisibility

2002 S10 SEAT RECLINING ADJUSTMENT CONTROL HANDLE BREAKS OFF WITH NO CONTROL OF POSITION OF SAFE POSITION OF SEATING FOR DRIVER. I HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1999. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173194

13,000 miles · Jun 5, 2004

Seats

DRIVER SEAT FAILS TO LOCK IN PLACE. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SEAT COMES LOOSE AND MOVES TO THE FULL BACK POSITION AND LOCKS. OR IF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED AGAIN AND I BRAKE, THE SEAT MOVES TO THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074865

26,000 miles · Apr 8, 2003

SeatsInjury

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE UNTIL PUSHED ALL THE WAY BACK-CANNOT DO THAT IF SOMEONE IS IN THE 3RD SEAT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014151

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2002

SeatsSteeringStructure

DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SEAT FLEW BACK ON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AT DEALER ONE TIME FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TILT WHEEL CONTROL FROZE IN ONE POSITION, DEALER ADJUSTED TILT STEERING. CENTE…

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NHTSA ODI #8013302

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002

Seats

THE SEAT FAILURE JUST OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS IN THE TRUCK. THE SEAT UNEXPECTANTLY SHIFTED BACK WHILE DRIVNG IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS CREATED THE POTENTIAL OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763553

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

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.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.