The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
236 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Dodge Dakota 2272000 Toyota Tundra 1882000 Toyota Tacoma 43
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 51,000 miles (43,000–82,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 07E021000 (fuel system, other) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Chevy sent dealers 316 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on; the transmission is stuck in third gear; and / or the…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 236 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 51K miles (43K to 82K km) on the car (34 of all 236 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While traveling on highway if rolled over a bump or pothole pedal went all the way to the floor and there was no power. Dealership was aware of problem.
2000 Chevrolet S-10 owner · NHTSA complaint 8015960
More owner reports
Previously owned 1996 s10 which was recalled for this very same problem. No safety defect listed within summary.
NHTSA complaint 722671
While driving, head lights flickered on and off, and have gone completely out without coming back on. Dealer stated it was normal and there was no fix.
NHTSA complaint 8004762
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 17.6M views · 1994–2004 Chevrolet S-10
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors1.1M views
2003 Chevrolet S10 ABS Wheel Sensor Replacementuxwbill · 208K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter284K views
How to Remove a 4l60e Transmission from 2001 Chevy S10 2wdThatAccordGuy · 134K views · 4 videos
Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2000 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 316 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on; the transmission is stuck in third gear; and / or the…
- Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…
- Some customers may comment that the service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
Show all 9 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES.
- Brakes · recall issued 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: S -TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2 WHEEL DRIVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet S-10 recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedTailgate support cables2005–2006
- ClosedTailgate support cable(s) break2004–2005
- ClosedEngine stall due to fuel starvation2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet S-10 year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 6 older years (1994–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Chevrolet S-10 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-s-10/?y=2000" title="Chevrolet S-10 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-s-10/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Chevrolet S-10 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 101; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet S-10 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2003.
What are the most common 2000 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), seats (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 have?
9 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 get?
16 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet S-10 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 51,000 miles (43,000–82,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2000 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Chevrolet S-10 have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet S-10 year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works