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2002 Chevrolet S10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 214 owner complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet S10, most often about the structure. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year17% below the S10 median · #10 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints21435 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage53kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 7, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Chevrolet S10 has problems

214 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure737
Latches/locks/linkages211
Power train171
Air bags1512
Electrical system153
Fuel system, gasoline141
Service brakes, hydraulic131
Suspension120
Seats72
16 other systems556

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2002 Chevrolet S10 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

53kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 55 structure complaints. 93% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles51under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other S10 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S10 median. How we score

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Chevrolet S10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESEA05008 · closed May 19, 2006
    No recall
  2. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAKRQ04012 · closed Apr 14, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What S10 owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Complaint 10643390 · Oct 8, 2014 · 86,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR, THE DOOR FRACTURED BECAUSE THE HINGES AND THE CABLES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Complaint 10502812 · Mar 14, 2013 · 89,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE…
Complaint 10471235 · Aug 17, 2012 · 89,000 miles

Own a 2002 S10?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.