2002 Chevrolet S-10 Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.11/5 Average
84 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

Additional standard features are added to the S-10 for 2002 including a tachometer, air conditioning and a third door for extended-cab models. Vehicles sold in Northern states also get the Cold Weather package as standard equipment.

Pros:
  • Fuel-efficient base engine, torquey optional V6, stump-jumping ZR2 off-road package.
Cons:
  • Spotty build quality, inferior-grade interior trim, low seating positions, poor crash-test scores.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 84.00
  • t - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    I currently have an 02 v6 s10 with 173k miles on all stock drivetrain. I used this truck for work and towing and beat the living piss out of it. Changed the oil once a year. Never changed the tranny fluid, antifreeze, rear end oil, or greased anything. just ran the hell out of it. Nothing major broke but the fuel pump and the distributor broke 3 times. But still one tough truck

  • mixed feelings - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    02 4.3L 2WD Base w/ Ext. cab, 115K. Always kept up with oil changes, tranny & coolant flush. Put more $ in this truck than care to admit...but yet I reflect on its continued performance. Items replaced: fuel injectors, thermostat, rear main seal, front caliper seized twice (same one each time) so new front brake system each time, replaced radiator, 100K tune up so new plugs/wires/dist.cap/rotor. 3rd door useless, oil cooler line replaced, and the big one...blown tranny at 113K (google s10 sunshell and youll see what I mean). This truck better last until 200K+ with all Ive put into it without any more costly repairs. Truck still gets 24mpg and has lots of get up and go when i need it.

  • Best small truck money can buy - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    My friends and I have owned s10s since we were old enough to drive. I bought my 02 s10 for $3800.00 with 168k on the odo. Since that time it has towed my boats, pulled trucks 3 times its size off the beach, been loaded with 1500 lbs of concrete blocks for home improvement projects, spent a good deal of time off roading in the hills of KY, and all the while took me an additional 72,000 miles. I have now passed the truck to my brother who uses it every day. I cant say enough good things about it. It is completely bulletproof. There is a good reason you see so many of these things on the road to this day. There is nothing on the road today that posesses the rugged simplicity of the S10.

  • Best truck ever - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    I own a 2002 S10 LS extended cab 4wd, and have since purchasing it used in September 2004. At the time of purchase, it had 26k and now has 98k. I service it regularly and have never had any issues other than the tires,brakes, battery that you will have with any vehicle. I have had the check engine light come on twice, and both times the thermostat needing replacing to process the emissions better. I have given thought to purchasing a larger truck with more interior space, but the truck just wont give me a reason to do so. I have offers to buy it constantly, but its a member of the family. We also own a 2011 Equinox which we love also, but if its just wife and I, we take the S10

  • Great truck great price - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    I bought this truck new and have 150,000 on it. I have not put anything into it except the ABS brakes had a problem and I put new rotors and sensors on. That is it besides tires and oil changes and I did change the serpentine belt because it was nine years old not because it was shot. For the average Joe to haul things around and get from point a to b this truck is great. I get 27 MPG with gasoline and 21 with E 85. I will sell this truck but I will be sad to see it go.

  • Good little truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    Bought the truck from the original owner, Found out the little motor is suppose to get 22 mpg, Im getting 14 right now with 63k on it. other then the annoying secondary air Injector tripping the check engine light constantly, the lack of power, lack of fuel economy, and being on the third. 3rd door handle (now an aluminum one from ebay) im very pleased with the truck. As soon as i find out whats up with the gas mileage

  • Wish they still made these! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    This is the third s10 I have owned, I have had a 99,00 and the current 02. I am very partial to the 4.3 because it is very dependable and I always put 200,000 miles or more on these trucks. I do not know why people have had problems with the fuel pump, I have got 180,000 out of all of mine. I always felt the truck was a good buy with good looks for the money! I would Rather push a USA truck than drive any Toyota!

  • Was great until new engine at 136k miles - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    My S10 has 160k miles and counting. The truck has been very good to me with the exception of replacing the engine at 136k miles. Turns out the GM 2.2 L has a weakness in the valve guide design or fabrication. I lost compression in #3 cyl. I decided to spend the big $$ on replacing the engine rather than buy a $4500 used car. (The devil you know is better than the devil you dont.) Overall the truck is good. It can take 3 passengers, gets 25 mpg, and can haul and tow decent payloads. Unfortunately, it doesnt do any one of these thing exceptionally well, but is is a "do- all" vehicle. My biggest complaint is that I should get better mpg, cause that 4cyl is pretty wimpy!

  • Love My S10!! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    I bought my S10 used with about 94K. I have had it for two years and drove it to work 5 days a week. No major repairs, just standard things like brakes and front ball joints. I am really satisfied with it and have gotten many compliments. The 4.3L V6 is very powerful and the 4x4 is great in the snow.

  • Quantity not Quality - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
    By -

    I bought this vehicle four years after its make, I started having problems with it by the end of 2007 and havent gotten it to pass emissions since 2008. THe repairs have cost me a little over 3,300 when the engine blew in the end of 2009 and the electrical problems have cost me near a grand, I have put two fuel pumps into it and two sets f new tires. The truck is like the devil on wheels. I might buy GM again but it defiantly will not be an S-10! Plus it is so heavy, buying gas for such a small stocky truck drains the bank account, I will go for a more dependable, loading vehicle next time.

Chevrolet S-10 Reviews By Year:
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