CarBrief

NHTSA has 214 owner complaints on file for the 2002 S10 Pickup and no recalls[1][2]. Structure is the biggest complaint group, and in the samples we read, owners describe broken tailgate cables, failing rear door latches and ABS brake trouble[3][4][5].

214owner complaints[1]
14–22MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 214 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts. The group counts below will not add up to 214[1].

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Structure[3] 73 52,634
Brakes[4] 21 40,000
Latches/locks/linkages[5] 21 57,175
Power train[7] 17 50,312
Air bags[8] 15 22,000
Electrical system[9] 15 30,000
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 14 31,925
Suspension[11] 12 80,000

Structure. This is the largest group by a wide margin[3]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read[3], 5 describe tailgate support cables or straps snapping[3]. Two describe water leaking into the cabin[3], and two describe door hinge or door alignment trouble[3].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 complaint texts[4], 5 mention ABS trouble, such as a warning light or the system not working right[4]. Six describe a longer stopping distance or a pedal that went to the floor[4]. One brake complaint reports a crash[4].

Latches, locks and linkages. In a sample of 12 complaint texts[5], 6 describe the rear (third) door latch or handle failing, sometimes more than once[5]. Five describe a broken tailgate cable[5]. One injury is reported in this group[5].

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaint texts[7], 6 describe transmission trouble[7]. Owners write about the truck popping out of gear, rough shifting, or not going into reverse[7]. Four describe axle, rear differential, four-wheel-drive or front hub parts failing[7]. One crash and one injury are reported in this group[7].

Air bags. There are only 15 complaints, but 12 of them mention a crash and 4 mention injuries[8]. The group also carries the 3 deaths reported for the model year, and its median mileage at failure is 22,000[8]. We did not read complaint texts for this group, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Electrical and fuel. Two fires are reported in the 15 electrical complaints, and one fire in the 14 fuel system complaints[9][10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2002 S10 Pickup[2]. A model year with no recalls can still have owner complaints. You can see that in the sections above.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine, transmission and drive. The 4.3L 6-cylinder trucks use regular gasoline[12]. The 2.2L 4-cylinder flex-fuel trucks run on gasoline or E85[13].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, 4.3L, manual 5-speed[12] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
2WD, 4.3L, automatic 4-speed[14] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 4.3L, automatic 4-speed[15] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450
4WD, 4.3L, manual 5-speed[16] 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800
2WD flex-fuel, 2.2L, automatic 4-speed[13] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
2WD flex-fuel, 2.2L, manual 5-speed[6] 19 / 25 / 22 $3,050

The 2.2L flex-fuel manual is the best of the group at 22 combined MPG[6]. The 4WD 4.3L manual is the lowest at 14 combined[16]. EPA fuel costs use current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the extended cab a rollover rating of 3 stars[17]. The regular cab is not rated[18]. Our data has no crash test star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 4.3L 6-cylinder and a 2.2L 4-cylinder for this model year[12][13]. Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for one variant, the crew cab regular box 4WD, and can differ slightly from US trucks[19].

Measure Value
Length[19] 205 in
Width[19] 68 in
Height[19] 63 in
Wheelbase[19] 122 in
Curb weight[19] 4,039 lb

How 2002 compares with other years

1995: 918 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 673 complaints, 7 recalls19961997: 469 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 613 complaints, 6 recalls19981999: 231 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 471 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 308 complaints, 1 recalls20012002: 214 complaints, 0 recalls21420022003: 178 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 21 complaints, 1 recalls2004
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S10 Pickup model year. The 2002 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19959185
19966737
19974696
19986136
19992310
20004714
20013081
20022140
20031781
2004211

With 214 complaints[2], 2002 sits below every S10 model year from 1995 to 2001. Those years range from 231 complaints (1999) to 918 (1995)[2]. It sits above 2003 with 178 and 2004 with 21[2].

For recalls, 2002 has none. Only 1999 matches that. Every other year from 1995 to 2004 has at least one[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2002 S10 Pickup?

The record is mixed. The model year has no recalls and fewer complaints than most of its run[2]. The complaint texts we read point to a few specific things to check on any truck: tailgate cables, the rear door latch, ABS brake behavior and shifting[3][4][5][7]. The air bag group is small but carries 12 crash mentions and the 3 reported deaths, so ask the seller about the air bag system's history[8]. Fuel economy is modest, from 14 to 22 combined MPG depending on the version[16][6], and our data cannot tell you about horsepower, towing or oil capacity.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet S10?
Structure has the most NHTSA complaints at 73, ahead of brakes and latches/locks/linkages at 21 each[3][4][5]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe broken tailgate cables, rear door latch failures and ABS brake trouble.
Does the 2002 Chevy S10 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2002 model year[2].
How many miles per gallon does a 2002 S10 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 14 MPG for the 4WD 4.3L manual to 22 MPG for the 2.2L flex-fuel manual[16][6].
Is the 2002 S10 better than other S10 years?
It has fewer complaints than 1995 to 2001 but more than 2003 and 2004, and it has no recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
What is the rollover rating of the 2002 S10?
The extended cab has a 3 star rollover rating from NHTSA, and the regular cab is not rated[17][18].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 214 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Chevrolet S10 Pickup (17 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet S10 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 73 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,634). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 21 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 21 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,175). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD FFV, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 17 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,312). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 15 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 14 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,925). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD FFV, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for S10 Pickup 4WD, 4.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED CAB None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, REGULAR CAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S10 P/U CREW CAB Reg/BOX 4WD: length 205 in, width 68 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 122 in, curb weight 4,039 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.