Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
At any speed truck stops running. Pull over and restarts then goes for a while and dose it again. Start truck and key stays on have to turn it back by hand. Replaced starter once already in three months.
Brake line failed at an intersection, total loss of brake pressure. Chevrolet notified, dealer could not find problem, part took a week to arrive, and we just fixed it at home out of exaspiration for the dealer, Chevy was great though, line found worn right through. Many failures with this vehicle. Went through 3 batteries and 2 alternators. Upper ball joint failed on the highway, parts department tried to say because it wasnt greased, but I keep it greased, the ball broke right out the side, all ball joints replaced. Idler arm found broken when vehicle taken for re-alignment before that. Various electrical failures (suspected short somewhere as battery sparks when reconnected). Fuel pump failure at 65,000 miles, preceeding fuel guage malfunction about 6 mo's before, replaced fuel pump. …
My ABS and emergency brake lights have been on ever sense I have bought the truck (mid 2014) and I can't seem to figure out why. I have read several places that say that some of the solder points in the ABS module have probably cracked and need to be repaired if it throws a certain code (and mine does). Haven't had the time or money to fix the problem as my truck is my daily driver. Have noticed some slight pulsing in the brakes when stopping, but not enough to annoy you. The lights on the dash will annoy you though. I have also been chasing several vacuum leaks. One was by the brake master cylinder and another (from inside the cab) sounds like it's right above the transmission housing at the back of the engine (where you can't see). …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet S10. On March 7, 2007, the engine failed while driving 35 MPH. The contact waited ten minutes before the vehicle was able to be restarted. This failure occurred once before in 2002. When he currently starts the vehicle, the security light flickers and the vehicle fails to start. The contact stated that the failure is the same as noted in TSB # 010856001. The vehicle was purchased in August of 2000. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current mileage is 125,000 and failure mileage was 120,000.
I own a 2000 Chevrolet s-10 pick up truck. I have a problem with the check engine light on. I took my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership the past a couple of times and was advised that the smog pump needs to be replaced. The dealer advised me that this is a problem with every 2000 Chevrolet pick up truck and that GM needs to issue a recall for this problem. I a writing to know what is the process for getting a recall started. Thank you.
Engine failure - had to be rebuilt at app. 75000 miles - both sides of cab bottom rear rusted out - first time brake failure 2013 - put brake on to put the truck in drive no brakes front right - aug 2014 brake failure - put brake on to put in drive no brakes.
Driving down hill at approximately. 10 MPH in first gear, using engine compression to help hold speed down, check engine light came on followed in several seconds by loud explosion and black smoke from engine compartment. Engine died, and power assist for brakes and steering failed. Managed to get truck off street and stopped. Intake manifold had exploded, damaging most of engine compartment contents on right side of motor, as well as most of wiring and tubing on right side of motor.
Soon after purchase (sometime in 2001), check engine light came on. Diagnosed as water in air pump and check valve corroded open. Brought to dealer several times to have repaired with only the last service successful. Forward to present. Again, check engine light illuminated. Computer scanned, same diagnosis. Even after previous failures with air pump and check valve, no longer warranted.
The inside motor within the radiator split apart and burst allowing transmission fluid and coolant to mix. Which caused a chocolate corrosive mixture that disintegrated the gears in the transmission and immediately overheated the radiator which caused the vehicle to stop on the highway. The consumer requested the dealer/manufacturer to properly repair the vehicle. Mr scc
I bought the Chevy with only 30,000 miles on it. But ever since the beginning the third brake light has never worked and I always replace the fuses and the little light bulbs. Also have had trouble with the transmission and have had it rebuilt and the radiator twice. I just have had more than enough problems with the truck I regret buying this truck.
Engine complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet S10, 7% of the model year's 471 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet S10 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.