Most common 2000 Chevrolet S problems
Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet S complaints by model year
Best S years: 2001. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
What 2000 Chevrolet S owners say
Body & structure
I own a 2000 Chevrolet s-10 pick-up truck [redacted]. In September 2003, while loading the bed preparing to travel from west virginia to wisconsin, I noticed one of the cables holding the opened tailgate to the truck bed had separated. I decided to replace the broken cable upon my arrival in wisconsin. When I opened the tailgate in wisconsin, approximately 1000 miles and 24 hours later, I observed that the other tailgate retaining cable had snapped. The tailgate had remained closed throughout the trip and the cable was under no stress during this time. The vehicle is off warranty, and I did not consider the snapped cables to constitute a safety hazard, so I did not notify the NHTSA at that time. I did, however, purchase two replacement cables from a dubuque, iowa Chevrolet dealer and replace the faulty tailgate cables. …
In late spring of this year, I experienced a failure of my left tailgate cable during the loading of a moderate load of about 300 lbs. Thank god nobody was hurt. I went to a couple dealers around to find out about a replacement. I'm aware of the recall for the c/k tailgate cable so inquired about that for my vehicle. Was told there was none and probably won't be due to low complaint volume. I was told that this failure is normal in such a short time due to salt use on the roads here. I don't buy that; I believe they should last much longer. GM's explanation of why they aren't recalled (lower tailgate weight,etc) doesn't jive considering the low load that broke this cable though they admit the material is defective (same as c/k material). I'm expecting the other one to go any time. The part is available but I shouldn't have to get the latch too, which is fine on mine.
2000 Chevrolet S engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Chevrolet S a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 S rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the S at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Chevrolet S?
The body & structure — 5 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › tailgate › hinge and attachments. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (1) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet S have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Chevrolet S. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet S?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Chevrolet S years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet S problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.