RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet S10 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
73
Latest Oct 8, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
34%
of 213 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet S10 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 73 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 73, in the owner's own words

Body & structureFuel system
Filed Oct 8, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10643390
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 14, 2013

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 NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502812
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 17, 2012

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 FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS FOR THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10471235
Incident
Aug 13, 2012
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Sep 16, 2010

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 CONDONE THAT. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT SINCE DAY ONE ,WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK. A REAL WASTE OF MONEY DIDN'T EVEN LAST 10 YEARS. CUSTOMER NO SERVICE AT CHEVY WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND FRUSTRATING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS THE DOOR STRIKERS RIPPING OUT IS AN ISSUE OF BEING TO OLD IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE PERIOD AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355872
Incident
Jul 28, 2010
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 2, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED BUT THEY WERE UNAWARE WHAT CAUSED IT CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,628.

NHTSA ID
10353449
Incident
May 17, 2010
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER S-10. THE CONTACT STATED IN RAINY WEATHER, THE RAIN WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,813. UPDATED 07/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/19/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10328565
Incident
May 3, 2010
Mileage
47,813 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 30, 2010

FRAME CRACK PASSENGER SIDE. 2002 S-10. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328272
Incident
Aug 23, 2005
Mileage
52,634 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 19, 2010

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE SPARE TIRE UNDER BODY ATTACHMENT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10326387
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 19, 2009

DOOR HINGES WERE WELDED FROM FACTORY THE WELDS LOOKED POOR JUST SPOT WELDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284617
Incident
Aug 18, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAILGATE CABLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE TAILGATE DRAGGED ONTO THE ROAD SURFACE DUE TO THE FAULTY CABLE. THE TAILGATE WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10273095
Incident
May 23, 2009
Mileage
49,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2009

THIS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A DOOR HINGE, BUSHINGS AND/OR HINGE PINS REPAIRED ON. 2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER FOUR DOOR (ODI NUMBER) 10255992. 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER TWO DOOR (ODI NUMBER) 10256634. THE DOOR IS DROPPING CAUSING A PROBLEM TO EITHER OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. DOOR STARTED CREAKING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME A SAFETY PROBLEM TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY. IT WAS RUBBING ON THE LOCK STRIKE. DOOR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE OTHER TWO WERE FOUND TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS. I PRESUME THAT THE SAME REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THIS AS IT IS STILL IN THE DEALERS SHOP AS OF TODAY. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE IT WILL HAVE COST FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS PLUS TO REPAIR THESE DOORS AND MAKE THEM SAFE. IT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR GM AS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN VARIOUS MODELS SINCE THE 80'S. *TR

NHTSA ID
10257057
Incident
Jan 29, 2009
Mileage
51,437 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE STRAPS FAILED AND WERE RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA WOULD BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES, BUT NOT THE CONTACT'S MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10256351
Incident
Jan 18, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 22, 2008

TAILGATE OF S10 FLEW OFF BACK OF TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252576
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Sep 29, 2008

TAIL GATE CABLES ON 2 YEAR OLD S-10 TRUCK FAILED. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER COST OF REPLACEMENT. TWO YEARS LATER COMPANY HAD A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT AND DEALER STILL WOULD NOT REIMBURSE COST OF REPLACEMENT. CALLED GM AND FOLLOWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS TO SEND IN RECEIPT FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, CALLS NOT RETURNED. COMPANY AND DEALER WERE LONG ON TALK, VERY SHORT ON SERVICE. THIS IS ONE OF THREE SERIOUS S-10 DEFECTS, SO FAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243938
Incident
Jul 24, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 23, 2008

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF MY S-10 ZR2, THE 3RD DOOR HAS BEEN UNUSABLE WITH SUBSTANTIAL COSTS PUT INTO IT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. IT WOULD BE NICE IF CHEVROLET WOULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE SOMEONE RIDE IN THE THIRD SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235494
Incident
Apr 28, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2008

TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE TAILGATE WAS DOWN. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS CORROSION INSIDE THE CABLE. NO UNUSUAL WEIGHT WAS PLACED ON TAILGATE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE WHICH WAS RECALLED IN THE SILVERADO LINE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED IN THE S-10 LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234744
Incident
Jul 16, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 8, 2008

TAILGATE HINGE AND CABLE ASSEMBLY RUSTED AND FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230257
Incident
Jun 8, 2008
Mileage
54,543 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2007

THIRD DOOR HANDLE/LATCH KEEPS BREAKING MAKING THIS DOOR UNUSABLE. THIS HANDLE HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN. ANYONE USING THE JUMPSEAT WOULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE AND/OR HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209027
Incident
Oct 9, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Jun 20, 2007

I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 WITH 72,000 MILES. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR HINGE PIN BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE DOORS FALLING OUT OF ALIGHMENT AND OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP, AND GM, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGEING THE DESIGN FLAW HAVE FAILED TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND IN TO BE A WIDE SPEAD SITUATION WITH ALL GM MEDIUM DUTY DOOR HINGES. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WELDED DOOR HINGES RATHER THAT THE BOLT ON TYPE. THIS SEEM TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO ME, AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10193802
Incident
Jun 14, 2007
Mileage
72,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2007

2002 CHEVROLET S-10 TAILGATE CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE. ONE OF THEM BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION THE OTHER CABLE WAS FAULTY AND LIKELY TO BREAK ALSO. *AK SINCE I WAS STANDING ON THE TAILGATE AT THE TIME, I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID INJURY WHEN THE CABLE BROKE.

NHTSA ID
10190591
Incident
Apr 15, 2007
Mileage
84,509 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 23, 2007

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET S10 ZR2. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT END, IT WAS EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED TO HAVE NUMEROUS CRACKS AND BROKEN WELDS, MOSTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. AT THIS POINT GM HAS OFFERED A 70/30 SPLIT ON REPAIRS, WHICH WE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO BECAUSE WE NEEDED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. NOW THAT THE FRAME HAS BEEN HAPHAZARDLY REPAIRED BY A DIFFERENT DEALER, BECAUSE THE DEALER THAT WE PURCHASED IT FROM REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT, WE FEEL THAT IT IS STILL A SAFETY HAZARD AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WE WANT PROPER REPAIRS FOR OUR VEHICLE, BUT ,TO ALSO ALERT OTHERS THAT THERE MAY BE PROBLEMS WITH THE ZR2 FRAMES. THE ORIGINAL FRAME IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF TURNPIKE CHEVROLET IN NITRO, WV. *JB

NHTSA ID
10188664
Incident
Mar 30, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 10, 2006

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS LOOSE. ONE CAN LITERALLY JIGGLE THE DOOR APPROXIMATELY HALF OF A CENTIMETER UP AND DOWN. THE AUTO DEALERSHIP IN PORTLAND, MAINE (FOREST CITY CHEVROLET - NOW CALLED QUIRK CHEVROLET) ADVISED ME THAT THEY COULD FAIL MY INSPECTION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO - THAT THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS OF THIS AND WHAT THE PROGRESSION WOULD BE OF SUCH. THE DOOR DID NOT JIGGLE AT ALL DURING THAT TIME AND WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. IT DID PASS MAINE'S TOUGH INSPECTION LAW DURING SAID INITIAL NOTIFICATION BY THE DEALER (INSPECTED BY VIP AUTO, SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE). *JB

NHTSA ID
10175690
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
108,300 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 23, 2006

I WAS UNLOADING SOME LIMBS AND BRUSH INTO A BRUSH PILE FROM THE BACK OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 TRUCK WHEN BOTH TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED AND I FELL INTO THE PILE. I WEIGH 200 POUNDS AND THE LIMBS I WAS UNLOADING WEIGHED ABOUT 20 POUNDS. I WAS NOT INJURED AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE ITSELF. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE TO ORDER NEW PARTS WHEN I FOUND ABOUT A HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SOME WITH INJURIES, AND STILL NO RECALL. I BECAME ANGRY WHEN I FOUND OUT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS IGNORED THEIR CUSTOMERS' SAFETY. ALSO, THE CABLES ARE RIVETED IN WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS $60.00 FOR ONE SIDE THEREFORE TOTAL COST IS AROUND $120.00. *NM

NHTSA ID
10169132
Incident
Sep 23, 2006
Mileage
87,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 20, 2006

I WAS LOADING A STORAGE TRUNK ONTO THE BED OF MY 2002 S10 WHEN BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES SNAPPED AND DROPPED THE TRUNK OFF OF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. LUCKILY I WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND IT. I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL ON TAILGATE STRAPS FOR FULL SIZE CHEVROLET TRUCKS, AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECALL EXPANDED TO MY MODEL TRUCK ALSO SO I CAN GET IT FIXED. I USE THE TRUCK FREQUENTLY TO CARRY CARGO. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168801
Incident
Sep 16, 2006
Mileage
64,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2006

TAILGATE CABLE BROKE WITH LESS THAN 75 LBS (MY 7YR OLD DAUGHTER) SITTING ON TAILGATE. CABLES APPEARED TO BE CORRODED DUE TO A COATING ON THEM THAT ALLOWED MOISTURE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH CABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167734
Incident
Sep 8, 2006
Mileage
42,360 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .