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Chevrolet S10 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet S10 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
30
Years to Avoid
2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1994
Best Years
1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981
2018
5 complaints0 recalls376 TSBs
2017
1 complaints0 recalls370 TSBs
2016
1 complaints0 recalls352 TSBs
2007
0 complaints1 recalls158 TSBs
2006
1 complaints1 recalls134 TSBs
2005
0 complaints1 recalls126 TSBs
2004
30 complaints3 recalls404 TSBs
2003Avoid
230 complaints4 recalls409 TSBs
2002Avoid
249 complaints3 recalls2 invest.373 TSBs
2001Avoid
405 complaints5 recalls3 invest.353 TSBs
2000Avoid
559 complaints9 recalls3 invest.316 TSBs
1999
298 complaints5 recalls3 invest.99 TSBs
1998
742 complaints11 recalls3 invest.91 TSBs
1997
574 complaints8 recalls4 invest.63 TSBs
1996
881 complaints10 recalls4 invest.31 TSBs
1995
1,152 complaints8 recalls6 invest.21 TSBs
1994Avoid
1,229 complaints8 recalls5 invest.19 TSBs
1993
276 complaints6 recalls5 invest.10 TSBs
1992
221 complaints6 recalls5 invest.9 TSBs
1991
253 complaints9 recalls7 invest.7 TSBs
1990Best Year
34 complaints5 recalls4 invest.6 TSBs
1989
55 complaints5 recalls5 invest.4 TSBs
1988Best Year
43 complaints4 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1987
44 complaints5 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1986Best Year
32 complaints4 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1985Best Year
15 complaints3 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1984Best Year
9 complaints4 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1983Best Year
7 complaints4 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1982Best Year
2 complaints5 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1981Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet S10 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1994 Chevrolet S10 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet S10, consider the 1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

30 model years analyzed