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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

214 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

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

NHTSA ODI #10128365

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2005
Structure

DT: CONSUMER STATES THE TAILGATE ON THE CHEVROLET S10 THE CABLES BROKE. CHEVROLET FIXED THE CABLES BUT WOULD NOT FIX THE TAILGATE WHERE IT WAS DENTED FROM HITTING THE BUMPER. CONSUMER'S 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS UNLOADING THE BED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CABLES WERE RUSTING, BUT THE CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL A…

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DT: CONSUMER STATES THE TAILGATE ON THE CHEVROLET S10 THE CABLES BROKE. CHEVROLET FIXED THE CABLES BUT WOULD NOT FIX THE TAILGATE WHERE IT WAS DENTED FROM HITTING THE BUMPER. CONSUMER'S 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS UNLOADING THE BED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CABLES WERE RUSTING, BUT THE CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER IT OCCURRED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128359

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

13,500 miles · Jul 11, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

(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.

NHTSA ODI #10128277

56,000 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Structure

DT: THE CABLES THAT HOLD THE TAILGATE LEVEL RUSTED AND BROKE. TAILGATE GOES UP BUT CONSUMER CANNOT LET IT DOWN BECAUSE IT RIDES ON THE BUMPER. CONTACTED CHEVROLET, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON A S-10. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10125582

45,000 miles · Jun 13, 2005
Unknown Or Other

I NOTICED ONE OF THE TAILGATE CABLES ON MY 2002 CHEVEROLET S-10 PICKUP (45,000 MILES) APPEARED TO BE STREACHED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THE CABLE WAS SEPARATING UNDER THE COATING. THE OPPOSITE SIDE WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE SAME CONDITION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD GM HAD NOT ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN O…

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I NOTICED ONE OF THE TAILGATE CABLES ON MY 2002 CHEVEROLET S-10 PICKUP (45,000 MILES) APPEARED TO BE STREACHED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THE CABLE WAS SEPARATING UNDER THE COATING. THE OPPOSITE SIDE WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE SAME CONDITION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD GM HAD NOT ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE S-10, ONLY THE SILVERADO. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE DEALER REP. TOLD ME IF I WANTED TO REPLACE THE CABLES I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THEM. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS BOTH CABLES BROKE WHEN MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB UP ON THE TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE FELL OPEN TO THE BUMPER BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE BROKEN CABLES. THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10125190

42,000 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROTATORS WERE BAD, PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND THERE WAS UNUSUAL FLAKING. THE ROTORS WERE WORN SMOOTH AND NOT PITTED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALL OF THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE PITTING BEING SO SEVERE THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE…

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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROTATORS WERE BAD, PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND THERE WAS UNUSUAL FLAKING. THE ROTORS WERE WORN SMOOTH AND NOT PITTED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALL OF THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE PITTING BEING SO SEVERE THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE. *AK THERE WAS EXCESSIVE NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AND MORNING BRAKE NOISE AS IF THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STICKING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNIT WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY BLAMED ON AGGRESSIVE TIRE TREAD. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10122218

32,500 miles · May 13, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT: HIT AND KILLED TWO HORSES, THE CONSUMER HIT THEM WITH THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT STILL HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONSOLE. SHE SUFFERED SEVERAL MAJOR INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER TO FIND OUT…

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DT: HIT AND KILLED TWO HORSES, THE CONSUMER HIT THEM WITH THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT STILL HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONSOLE. SHE SUFFERED SEVERAL MAJOR INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER PLANNED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10120863

33,200 miles · May 13, 2005
Structure

THE TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS CLOSING THE TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE SLIPPED OUT OF THE CONSUMER'S HAND AND THE STRAPS BROKE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP. *AK THE MANUFACTURER DID OFFER TO PAY FOR THE LABOR BUT NOT THE PARTS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10118984

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10120499

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.