Chevrolet S SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
63,325 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 4 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 4; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Fuel System, Other:Delivery: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2003: 8; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2009: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10069516 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THERE IS A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS AS IF IT IS DRAGGING ON GRAVEL. NO STOPPING OCCURS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN CHECK AND ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006083 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149951 · 2006-02-10 (February 10, 2006)
JUST FOUND THIS WEB SITE, SO SUBMITTING COMPLAINT SINCE I CANNOT MAKE PROGRESS WITH DEALER... HAVE A 2000 S10 TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. STARTING IN 2004 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED NO SHIFTING CORRECTLY. WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT CORRECTLY UNTIL YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN IT HAPPENS FLOOR BOARDS GET VERY HOT AND HEAT UP CABIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALERSHIP READS THE CODE AND SAYS WE CAN REBUILD FOR $2300 OR PUT A REMANUFACTURED ONE FOR $2600. THEY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092995 · 2004-09-21 (September 21, 2004)
MY 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION GAVE LOUD AUDIBLE NOISES SIGNALING MAJOR TROUBLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER MCFARLAND MURRAY IN GRAYSON ,KY. A TECHNICNICIAN VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND RECCOMENDED IMMEDIATE SERVICE, AND HE SAID THE 2002 CHEVROLET S10 SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE SEVICE MANAGER SAID THE NEXT AVAILABLE DATE TO HAVE THE WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED WOULD BE 2 WEEKS FROM THAT DAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2004. I INQUIRED ABOUT A LOANER VEHICLE AND WAS DENIED BY THEM SAYING THAT WAS NOT THEIR POLICY. MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY IS STILL IN EFFECT…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148518 · 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
I OWN A 1994 CHEVROLET S-10 WITH A 4.3L V-6 ENGINE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW.. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW THIS TRUCK HAD AN IDLE LOPE AND MISS WHICH I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT. I HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSORS, FUEL INJECTOR, FUEL REGULATOR, AND ALL ASSOCIATED HARDWARE THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED AS A UNIT ON THAT MODEL AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE EGR SYSTEM HAS BEEN SERVICED UNDER RECALL. UP T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148523 · 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
MY TRUCK FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW HAS HAD AN IDLE LOPE AND MISS WHICH I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT. I HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR. ALSO ,REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, AND ALL ASSOCIATED HARDWARE THAT IS TO BE REPLACED AS A UNIT ON THAT MODEL OF VEHICLE. THE EGR SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL. UP TO THIS POINT THERE HAVE BEEN NO SERIOUS STARTING PROBLEMS. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM HAS BEE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864072 · 2000-06-22 (June 22, 2000)
DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS WHICH DEVELOPED AROUND THE POWER STEERING PULLY, POWER STEERING BELT CAME OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER . *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864072 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1994: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0