2002 Chevrolet S10
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 214
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
34% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 214 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 22 |
| 1987 | 27 |
| 1988 | 38 |
| 1989 | 49 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1991 | 174 |
| 1992 | 180 |
| 1993 | 233 |
| 1994 | 963 |
| 1995 | 910 |
| 1996 | 665 |
| 1997 | 469 |
| 1998 | 613 |
| 1999 | 231 |
| 2000 | 471 |
| 2001 | 308 |
| 2002 | 214 |
| 2003 | 178 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
34% · 73 reportsMost commonly citing hinge and attachments and frame and members.
Latches/locks/linkages
10% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing latch.
Service brakes
10% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
After I'd owned the vehicle for a little over 3 years and had only about 13,000 miles on it, it began to pull hard on braking. One of the front brake calipers seized and ruined the front rotor in the process.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-31
Power train
8% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle was in park with the engine running, when all of a sudden the vehicle rolled backwards.*jb. Consumer was injured when he tried to get back in the vehicle to stop it.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-20
Electrical system
7% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
Truck or vehicle shut down while driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-30
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2004-11-22Recall queryClosed 2005-04-14 Tailgate support cable(S) break
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I
2005-04-14Engineering analysisClosed 2006-05-19 Tailgate support cables
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R
2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
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R
2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
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R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Chevrolet S10 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 73 reports on file for this year.
- Latches/locks/linkages: 21 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 21 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet S10 is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet S10?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet S10 have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.