VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet S10 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 246 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.7 times the median S10 year — the 2002 model ranks #11 of 30 S10 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 20 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 73 reports (30% of the total).

246

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

20

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other S10 years?

S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted1,225 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 9 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 43 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 34 complaints1991: 253 complaints1992: 221 complaints1993: 276 complaints1994: 1,225 complaints1995: 1,151 complaints1996: 875 complaints1997: 574 complaints1998: 742 complaints1999: 298 complaints2000: 559 complaints2001: 404 complaints2002: 246 complaints2003: 230 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 0 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 5 complaints
S10 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S10 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet S10 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure7330%
Brakes239%
Latches & Locks219%
Transmission177%
Fuel System177%
Electrical System156%
Airbags146%
Suspension135%
Other94%
Speed Control73%
Engine62%
Seats62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Steering52%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Lighting42%
Seat Belts42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

3 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 27, 2005

“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD AND SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 13, 2002 · crash

“MY 3RD DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED AGAIN!!! THIS IS THE 2ND TIME. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT MY TRUCK FROM TOLD ME THEY KEEP A BOX LOAD OF THESE LATCHES IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY BREAK SO OFTEN. BAD DESIGN!!!! CHEVY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND PROVIDE A RELIABLE REPLACEMENT. IF MY SON WAS BACK THERE AND THERE WAS AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · November 2, 2007

“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.*JB *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 7, 2002 · crash

“DRIVER FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD, ROLLED A FEW TIMES AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS STEERING FAILURE AND FEELS THAT IT PROBABLY WAS THE FUEL SHUT OFF MECHANISM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2002 · crash · fire

2002 Chevrolet S10 — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet S10 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 246 complaints put the 2002 model at #11 of 30 S10 years. It is one of the S10 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 S10 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (73 complaints), brakes (23 complaints), latches & locks (21 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet S10 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet S10. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet S10 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.