2002 Chevrolet S Pickup problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments (7) · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly (1) · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:hinge And Attachments (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet S Pickup model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (3)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint 2011-11-01 · SB-10-08-50-003B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
general motors: information provided by bulletin for all 2012 and prior general motor trucks and passenger vehicles regarding the adjustable comfort and custom upholstery of the driver and the passenger head restraint. *pe
Wheels:rim 2009-05-01 · 050310003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant). 2008 and prior gm passenger car and light duty trucks (including saturn) and hummer h2, h3 and saab 9-7x with cast aluminum wheels. *nj updated 10/23/09. *pe
Interior Lighting 2006-02-16 · 3170E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ipc, interior lights and/or headlamps flicker. *ak fb2
What owners report
2006-07-01 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments · 20,100 mi“tail gate cable is cut and has stretched to where is does not support the weight of the tail gate. *jb…”
2006-03-17 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module · 34,000 mi“the abs system started to fail in november, when coming to a stop the vehicles abs system would fail and lock the power steering causing the vehicle to pull to the left. i did contact the dealer and my vehicle was not listed on the recall list. because of its age is not covered under warranty. the problem is worst during a storm when the roads are …”
2006-03-10 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments · 75,251 mi“lowered tailgate to climb into bed of truck. after stepping up onto tailgate, both restraining cables broke, throwing me to the ground. minor bruising and scratching only cables not replaced to date because dealer charging excessive money. *nm…”
2005-12-29 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments · 128,000 mi“#2 (right side) tailgate support cable failure. no excessive stress placed on tailgate; i lowered it to load some lightweight items in bed (by hand, no ramps or loading equipment) and heard pop when tailgate went full down. noticed cable broken. no repair yet; contacting local chevrolet dealer next week. *jb…”
2005-09-22 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments“tailgate cables on 02 s10 pick up due to corrosion. shrink plastic not protecting from moisture and caused cable to rust and snap sending tailgate onto highway. *nm…”
2005-06-20 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:tailgate:latch · 125,000 mi“failure of tail gate supporting cables on a 2002 model year s-10 pick-up as the direct result of corrosion/oxidation.…”
2005-06-15 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments · 51,252 mi“when i opened the tail gate to my 2002 s-10 both cables snaped-in-two at the same time. this cable failure has damaged the tail gate when it hit the bumper. when i went to the part store to get a replacement cable for both sides i was told that the cable did not match what was listed in his book as a replacement and would need to see a dealer about…”
2005-02-17 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments · 49,212 mi“i have a 2002 chevrolet s-10 pickup. the cable that attaches the tailgate to the truck has corroded away. this results in the tailgate falling from horizontal position and possible falling off. a recall for this same issue has been issued for the gm silverado pickup. the same recall should apply to the s-10, as it is the same defect as in the silve…”
2005-01-30 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments“tailgate cables on 02 s_10 pickup have same faliure as larger trucks that all have recalls.the cables are manufactured by same company as recalled trucks.cables snap and caused damage to tailgate and also pose risk of injury.dealer said he has seen many problems with this yet no recall.*ak…”
2004-11-30 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:hinge And Attachments · 27,000 mi“me and my wife were sitting on my tailgate of my 2002 chevy s10 and all of a sudden the cables snapped. and my whole tailgate foled over my bumper. needless to say i had to go to the junkyard and buy an used tailgate. cuz chevy said they wernt coverd under warranty. *ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.