The Lemon Index
200020022nd generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
157 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Dodge Dakota 2712001 Toyota Tundra 692001 Toyota Tacoma 22
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 25,000 and 47,000 miles (40,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 61 complaints, of all 157 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 06E065000 (lights) done? It has 5 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?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Chevy sent dealers 353 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Click / no start condition”?
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 157 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 25K to 47K miles (40K to 76K km) on the car (61 of all 157 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
When applying abs brakes vehicle intermittently pulls to right or left, cause unknown.
2001 Chevrolet S-10 owner · NHTSA complaint 884837
More owner reports
One of the tailgate cables on my 2001 S-10 has failed, and the other is about to fail. The S-10 should be included in the full size truck tailgate cable recall.
NHTSA complaint 10102770
Spontaneous fire engulfed rear undercarraige of 2001 Chevrolet S-10 pickup with 150 miles of use.
NHTSA complaint 748615
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 2001 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 353 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Click / no start condition
- Some customers may comment that the security lamp illuminates while driving; the security lamp…
- Some customers may comment that the security lamp illuminates while driving; engine cranks but…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER 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.
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 $2,750–$4,300 (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. 2001 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-s-10/?y=2001" 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-10/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Chevrolet S-10 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 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 91; 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 2001 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), body structure (12%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet S-10 have?
5 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 2001 Chevrolet S-10 get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet S-10 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 25,000 and 47,000 miles (40,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 61 complaints, of all 157 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2001 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 2001 Chevrolet S-10 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Chevrolet S-10 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Chevrolet S-10 have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet S-10 year is better than the 2001?
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