2001 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 404 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.3 times the median S10 year — the 2001 model ranks #7 of 30 S10 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (74), brakes (72), and fuel system (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

404

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet S10 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Body & Structure	74	18%	— flat
Brakes	72	18%	▼ down
Fuel System	34	8%	— flat
Electrical System	32	8%	— flat
Engine	32	8%	— flat
Latches & Locks	22	5%	▲ up
Suspension	21	5%	— flat
Transmission	19	5%	▼ down
Steering	16	4%	▲ up
Other	13	3%	— flat
Airbags	12	3%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	12	3%	▲ up
Seats	11	3%	▼ down
Seat Belts	9	2%	— flat
Lighting	8	2%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	7	2%	▼ down
Speed Control	6	1%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	4	1%	▼ down

Does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

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.

00V228003Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2000 · 156,305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TAILGATE STRAP, 1 BROKE ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE OTHER ONE BROKE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS, I FIGURE THEY RECALLED ALL THE FULL SIZE TRUCK TO REPLACE THEM ,THEY SHOULD REPLACE THESE AT NO CHARGE. ALSO, IT IS A GOOD THIN I WAS NOT STANDING ON IT WHEN THEY BROKE . I COULD HAVE GOTTEN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 6, 2005

“BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE AND THEN GO OFF. AFTER BRAKING AND ROLLING OVER A SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AT STOP SIGN PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE AND STOPPING BECOMES HARD. I ROLLED PAST STOP SIGN AND WAS LIGHTLY STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND I…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 23, 2008 · crash

“THERE ARE 40,000 MILES ON MY 2001 S-10 AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. I FILLED THE TANK FULL OF GAS AND 8 MILES DOWN THE ROAD , THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND IT COST OVER $900.00 TO REPLACE THE PUMP. $500.00 FOR THE PUMP, $60 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC, 400.00 FOR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 18, 2003

“2001 CHEVROLET S10 ZR2 PACKAGE .BRAKE LIGHTS DONT WORK, FUSES BLOWN FOR DOOR LOCKS AND MIRRORS, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FIREWALL. TOOK TO SHOP TO HAVE THEM CHECK WIRES. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH WIRES. DRIVING LIGHTS TURN ON BY THEMSELF WHILE CAR IS NOT RUNNING, CANNOT SHUT OFF…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 6, 2004 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT REMAIN LATCHED AND KEPT SLIDING BACK. PASSENGERS HAVE SUSTAINED MINOR LEG INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE SMOG HOSE KEPT CATCHING FIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE HARNESS TO BECOME…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 18, 2001 · fire

2001 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 404 complaints put the 2001 model at #7 of 30 S10 years. It is one of the S10 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (74 complaints), brakes (72 complaints), fuel system (34 complaints).

Does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet S10 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S10 years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997, 2000, 2001, 1999, 1993, 1991, 2002, 2003, 1992. The cleanest record among S10 years belongs to 2007.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2001 compare to other S10 years?

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet S10 problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

What are the most common 2001 S10 problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Chevrolet S10 years should you avoid?

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