2001 Chevrolet S10: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 308 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The door latch, that holds your door shut.The wells on them broke and the passenger door came open while going down the road.Big concern had to get it rewelded”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2026
“I'm having a problem with I believe it's the fuel sensor my truck gets up to a certain temperature and it just dies and it's not just my truck it's in a lot of the newer model Colorado's as well I have a friend who's having the same exact problem as I am when it gets up past 95 degrees, the truck just all of a sudden stops in the engine turns off, and you have to try and steer your truck without any power steering, the reason I am filing this is if this happens in the middle of the road it could possibly cause an accident and that would be no good and it only happens when it is hot outside in the winter time or when it's cold I have no issues whatsoever”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet s10. The contact was pulled over by a police officer and informed that the brake lights and signal lights were inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 01v364000 (exterior lighting). Ed bozarth chevrolet located at 2001 s havana st, aurora, co 80014, was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 330,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“My brakes do not always work; I often have to pump the brakes up just to be able to get them to apply. It is very scary. I can put my foot all the way to the floor, and the truck will barely slow down. I feel I will likely rear-end somebody or roll into a busy intersection because the brakes will not work.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet s10. While driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and the brake line fractured. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the brakes were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“Takata recall I was involved in a accident 10-10-2016 at 9:10am, a vehicle pulled in front of me causing me to hit them with the front of my truck, the driver side airbag did not deploy...updated 10/28/16 *bf *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Gas gauge not working properly when gas tank is full of gas the gauge will show empty, half full or full. The defective gas gauge faulty reading have been a problem on numerous models of gmc automobiles. Have a technical service bulletin been issued to the concern dealership. The price to repair this problem range from $250.00 dollars to $500.00 dollars. Driving with a faulty gas gauge can be quite an experience. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“I was turning left and another car coming from the opposite direction made a right turn in front of me and I hit my brakes and tried to stop but my ABS did not kick in and I slid about thirty feet and hit there car. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2015
“Our ABS light keeps coming on and when it does the ABS don't work. It comes on whenever it wants. It is the same issues as the 2000 are having and they have a recall. It recently caused the back wheel not to move at all. We were told the spring inside the module is going out. It also affects the air bag from going on. Also, the ignition won't work the truck won't start. It takes several tries to get it to start. We were just told that it's the starter. The seatbelt locks intermittently and won't let me move. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
“The brake lines have rotted causing brake to travel to the floor and barely stop. This is the 2nd time my brake line has failed. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact S10 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 reliable?
NHTSA has 308 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Chevrolet S10. The most complained-about area is structure (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet S10 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.