Most common 2001 Chevrolet S10 problems
Share of the 308 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet S10 complaints by model year
Best S10 years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →
2001 Chevrolet S10 recalls (1)
Seat belts
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2001 Chevrolet S10:
Tailgate support cable(s) break
Odi is upgrading rq04-012 and opening an ea to investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998 - 2004 model year sonoma and s10 model vehicles.general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v-129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000-2004 sierras and silverados and certain model year 2002-2004 avalanches and escalade exts (c/k models).general motors has…
Engine stall due to fuel starvation
Odi opened pe02-066 to evaluate the scope and consequence of engine power-loss due to fuel starvation induced by in-tank modular fuel pump strainer restriction.the subject pumps use an external ?sock? Strainer to filter fuel flowing to the pump inlet.this filter can sometimes become clogged, resulting in a reduced flow of fuel to the engine.GM has subsequently modified the strainers to reduce this…
Tailgate support cables
General motors is conducting a special policy program for 903,464 owners of 2000 - 2003 model s/t vehicles through which owners May, at their option, either (1) periodically inspect the tailgate support cables installed in their vehicle and have the cables replaced if the cable coating exhibits any indications of damage or deterioration or (2) request that the tailgate support cables be replaced free of charge.
What 2001 Chevrolet S10 owners say
Body & structure all 75 →
I never received Safety Recall# 06020 Galvanized Defective Tailgate Cables that snap/break due to corrosion inside the cable causing the tailgate to fall down while opened. Both my cables have been torn/broken caused by the rust thru for quit some time. My son told me recently, that he had received the Recall Notice a number of years ago and the Chevy Dealer replaced his cables; his S-10 cables are good/solid no problems. I am meticulous with records and surely would have told the Dealer and had them replaced during the recall period. What should I do as I never received the Recall Notice at issue?
Truck has ABS lights on when driving at lower speeds as soon as the fluids are not cold the check gushes light comes on and the oil pressure gauge needle drops until the throttle is again depressed... Also ABS in rear shakes whole truck when going below 50mph and then continues up to 80mph before subsiding. The truck has serious steering issues constant leaks caused I'm sure my rack and pinion are worn down as well as now my tires and supension I have so many problems like the interior is crumbling to pieces the body has giant holes from improper painting options on this model I have over sized tire wells that are rusted completely out it make your company look silly for not making these vehicles better when they last people keep buying them again and again! …
Brakes all 64 →
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.
I owna 2001 Chevy s-10 and have always noticed that the brakes, when applied going over a small bump or dip, will make a grinding noise and not engage at all. They will engage after a few seconds of applied pressure but by then I am already through the intersection and have nearly been hit/have hit another car due to this. Also, I was involved in an auto accident where I had to brake hard, but when I did the truck pulled left and rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. At the time I didn't question the brakes but now I have had constant noises and clicks from the front brakes and can push the pedal to the floor, and when I do there is a loud click. I have read 11 similar complaints and wonder if there is a major problem the public should know about. If the brakes were a cause of my accident I would like to know.
Fuel & propulsion system all 30 →
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
I purchase this vehicle in April 2015 (used) I drove the vehicle home and it registered a half a tank of gas, I drove it a few days and the gas gauge needle did not move. I notified the auto center where I purchase the vehicle and took it back for repairs. Five weeks after the repair the gas gauge is still faulty. I was driving on the highway and the vehicle shut down (out of gas) the gas gauge needle read a quarter tank of gas. I contacted the auto center where I purchase the vehicle and I was told the S10 and the GMC model of this vehicle has a history of faulty gas gauge's. My only recourse is to have this item repaired again without any guarantee the same problem will happen again.----2001 Chevrolet S10 fuel sdystem, other bulletin 13599---action number 10001283 report date mar 01,2003 thank you [redacted] '
2001 Chevrolet S10 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chevrolet S10 a good car?
Based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 S10 rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S10 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 2001 Chevrolet S10?
The body & structure — 75 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › tailgate › hinge and attachments. Next are the brakes (64) and fuel & propulsion system (30).
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet S10 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 Chevrolet S10, the most recent from August 7, 2000 (seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet S10?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1997 and 2000. See the full Chevrolet S10 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet S10 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 51% 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.