The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: body structure
Better years to buy
111 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1982002 Dodge Dakota 3382002 Toyota Tundra 102
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 50,000 miles (29,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 59 complaints, of all 111 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), 06E065000 (lights) and 06E060000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Chevy sent dealers 373 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…”?
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 111 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 18K to 50K miles (29K to 80K km) on the car (59 of all 111 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
The tailgate straps broke while the consumer was closing the tailgate. The tailgate slipped out of the consumer's hand and the straps broke. The manufacturer offered no help.
2002 Chevrolet S-10 owner · NHTSA complaint 10118984
More owner reports
2002 Chevrolet S-10 crew cab, tailgate cables broke. Bf the consumer was standing on the tailgate when the incident occurred.
NHTSA complaint 10115696
Drivers side door leaks water and air. Bad wind noise.
NHTSA complaint 10025257
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 2002 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 373 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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
- Subject regarding general waterleak guide
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- 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.
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
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. 2002 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 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-s-10/?y=2002" 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-10/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Chevrolet S-10 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 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 2002 Chevrolet S-10 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (29%), transmission & drivetrain (10%) and fuel system, gasoline (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet S-10 have?
3 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 2002 Chevrolet S-10 get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet S-10 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 50,000 miles (29,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 59 complaints, of all 111 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 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 2002 Chevrolet S-10 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 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 2002 Chevrolet S-10 have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet S-10 year is better than the 2002?
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