Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet S10. While driving 26 MPH around an s curve, the brakes pedal was applied, but seized. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment and creek. The air bags did not deploy. The driver was not wearing a seat belt and sustained neck, nose, and eye injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The cause of the failures was not determined. The failure mileage was 230,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet S10. While driving 60 MPH over a patch of ice, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into a street sign and pole along the highway. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck, left shoulder, and chest, which required medical attention. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
In 2011 my husband was involved in an accident where a person turned in front of him as he was driving about 35 MPH (according to the police report). His airbag did not deploy as it should have, and since that time he has suffered serious back problems. I wrote to Chevy customer relations at the time, and was never given a satisfactory answer. After multiple letters and e-mails I finally gave up. Since that time my husband has had to take tylenol with codeine every single day simply to be able to accomplish day-to-day tasks.
On March 17, 2003, I was traveling eastbound on waters avenue when a hartline bus stopped two cars ahead of me. I came to a complete stop as the bus was letting passengers on and off. A female driving a Ford taurus was traveling 45 miles per hour and swerved to avoid my truck. She hit the rear bumper, shattering the back window of my Chevy S10. The truck proceeded to be lifted up and was thrusted into the SUV ahead of me. As I tried to get out of my driver's side door, I noticed it was jammed. I took of my seatbelt and proceeded to get out my passenger door. That is when I noticed that neither airbag had gone off. Noticing that, and also noticing her airbag was deployed. I proceeded to ask the police officer if my airbag should have deployed. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet S10. While driving approximately 30 MPH on a residential street, the contact fell asleep and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact's vehicle ignited into flames and rendered him unconscious. He was removed from the vehicle by another individual. The ambulance, fire, and police departments were called to the scene and a report was filed. The driver was transported to the hospital and remained there for three days. He sustained minor injuries to the face. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The cause of the air bag failure has not been determined. The contact is in the process of taking photos of the destroyed vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet S10. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the airbags did not deploy and the seat belts did not sustain her properly. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
While driving at 40 MPH consumer was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Also, no air bag warning light appeared prior to the crash. Driver wore a seat belt.
When attempting to back the truck up, the backs of the seats are too high and it obstructs my view. One night while trying to back my truck up in my yard, my view was too obstructed and I hit a tree. The tailgate of my truck was down, and was damaged. It is un-repairable. I was backing up at about 5 MPH, so the airbags didn't open. This has been a problem from the beginning. I haven't contacted the manufacturer, but if you advise me to do so, I will. The anti-lock brakes just went made a grinding noise and I had to almost push them to the floor to stop...I was going 35-40 MPH and someone in front of me slammed on their brakes. Since then, the brakes scrub and make a grinding noise if I don't stop gradually. The brake pads were looked at and are okay. I'm not a mechanic, but if it's not the pads, then what is it??? …
Consumer was making a turn, saw vehicle from behind and quickly turned back around losing control, vehicle rolled and slid into another vehicle, vehicle then went airborne and rolled 4 to 6 more times, air bags did not deploy, consumer was injured with many broken bones and other extensive injuries, consumer is still in the hospital.
Vehicle hit another vehicle head on at 42 MPH. This vehicle was declared totaled. Air bags did not deploy. Dealer has been contacted. Signal light would come on at random. Brake pads and shoes replaced. Whenever it rained, vehicle filled with water, the carpet was ruined and had to be replaced. Windows would not roll down.
Airbag complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Chevrolet S10, 6% of the model year's 471 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet S10 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2000 Chevrolet S10, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet S10 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 29 crashes, 1 fire and 17 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.