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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2002 Chevrolet S-10Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 239 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet S-10. Most complaints involve structure (81) and latches/locks/linkages (23). The EPA rates it 14–22 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
14–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
239
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

239 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2001 – Sep 2026
  1. Structure81
  2. Latches/locks/linkages23
  3. Electrical system19
  4. Power train19
  5. Air bags17
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  7. Fuel system, gasoline15
  8. Suspension13
  9. Equipment9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S-10 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996686
1997469
1998638
1999238
2000514
2001319
2002239
2003205
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

81 reports
“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 86,000. UPDATED 11/26/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TWO GAS LEAKS. UPDATED 10/5/2015 *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2014Structure, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10643390

Latches/locks/linkages

23 reports
“2002 CHEVY S10 LS CREW CAB THE DOOR STRIKERS CAVED INTO THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE.THIS HAPPENED WITH IN ONE DAY OF EACH OTHER. ON PHOTOGRAPHED INSPECTION THE STEEL HAD RIPPED IN THE SHAPE OF THE CLIP BEHIND THE DOOR STRIKERS AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING FLAW IN DESIGN,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW LAUNCHED A COMPLAINT WITH PHOTOS HE TOOK AS WELL. CHEVY SAID THE TRUCK WAS TO OLD, EVIDENTLY THE DOORS CAN FALL OFF YOUR TRUCK IN 8 YEARS AND CHEVY DOES NOT CARE. I HAD TO WELD THE STEEL MY SELF SINCE THE DOORS WOULD NOT SHUT. CHEVY WILL BE HIT WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT EVENTUALLY WHEN SOMEONE FALLS OUT OF THEIR CRAPPY TRUCK. UNLIKE TOYOTA WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS CHEVY WILL JUST GIVE YOU THE MIDDLE FINGER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY TRUCK UNLESS IT IS A 74 OR UNDER.SHAME ON CHEVY FOR SELLING SHOTTY CARS AND TRUCKS NO WONDER THEY WERE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. NOW MY DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WON'T LOCK THE PLASTIC SEAT HANDLE SNAPPED OFF AND THE VISORS ON BOTH SIDE THE PLASTIC MIRROR HINGES JUST CRUMBLED BAD PLASTIC I CAN LIVE WITH BUT DOOR STRIKERS FALLING INTO THE FRAME I JUST CAN'T…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2010Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10355872

Electrical system

19 reports1 crash2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE AIR BAG WITH THE SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2016Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10836521
All 2002 S-10 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S10 Pickup 2WD FFV
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$2,850404
S10 Pickup 2WD FFV
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
S10 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
S10 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
S10 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
S10 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$4,450635
  • S10 Pickup 2WD FFV
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • S10 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4616Vehicle 4387
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 S-10 questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet S-10 problems?

Owners filed 239 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (81), latches/locks/linkages (23), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 at 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026