8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,480
Average Mileage:
58,150 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced the transmission (6 reports)
  2. transmission rebuild (2 reports)
  3. transmission plate broke (1 reports)
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problem #9

Jan 032013

S-10 Pickup

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles

2002 S10, 50k, drive about 300 miles a month.

One day heard this slight noise while sitting at a traffic light. As I accelerated I noticed the power changed. I was only going a couple of blocks to my destination and had no need to go no more then 25 -30 miles per hour. Parked car and came back. Truck would not go into reverse and the idle seemed very high. The truck would go into drive but I had to shift the gears to get to 3rd (this is a automatic). I check trans fluid which I felt was low and I couldn't put in any myself thus 2k for transmission. My mechanic said trans was weak blah blah blah I'm ready to sell the truck although the truck has been good to me the past few years....

- Steph W., los angeles, CA, US

problem #8

Mar 242009

S-10 Pickup

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I noticed that transmission fluid was leaking and went to go check it out. The dealership said the transmission was out. 60,000 miles later and I am back in for my second transmission replacement. This sucks!

- mcreeden, Fromberg, MT, US

problem #7

Nov 102007

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup LS 4.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Defect in the sun gear. I was out of town on business when all of a sudden my tranny made a horrible noise and I lost 1st 3rd and reverse. I limped to the nearest dealer to get it looked at. When they told me I needed a new transmission I about sh*t. I only had 53000 miles on the thing. The dealer found a manufacturing defect in the sun gear that caused it to fail, stripping the shell. I talked them into just rebuilding the transmission, saving me a couple hundred bucks. I placed a call to Chevrolet about what the dealer had found but they insisted there was nothing they could do to help me with cost because it was out of warranty. When I presented evidence of a manufacturing defect they simply stopped taking my calls. I have family that works for GM but I don't believe I will ever buy one of their vehicles again.

- shawnoh, Deer Park, OH, US

problem #6

Nov 092007

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup ZR2 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

Chevy s10 pickup has been the worst nightmare i have ever owned.you would think with so many people buying Chevy cars or trucks that the company would stand behind what they are selling.think again.they could care less once its out there doors.about 9,000.00 dollars later i am going for yet another transmission. 4th one.every year it seems im putting another one in.it started about 34,000 miles and now at 86,000 i cant spend another dime.i wish i knew how to solve this nightmare.

- Dawn C., Centereach, NY, US

problem #5

Sep 092007

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup LS 4.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

We bought this truck with 38000 mi on it thought it was a nice ride, But the moment it broke 70000 mi I started feeling a chunking in the transmission, I took it to a shop and they wanted $2000.00 to fix it... wound up driving it 3000 miles and one day trying to go to the store BAMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! Lost reverse, then noticed no 2nd, or 4th.... and my bank account is $1300.00 lighter. I hope this replacement lasts longer. I like the truck but hate to make payments and repair costs in the same month. The sun shell and sun gear stripped teeth.

- Bryon H., McMinnville, OR, US

problem #4

Jul 252007

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

The transmission went out one week before the A/C went out. It started one day by not going in reverse. These cars are pieces of crap!!! Don't Buy American!!!

- rfarns, Mesa, AZ, US

problem #3

Apr 072007

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup EX. CAB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

I had to replace the transmission after 53,000 miles and I only had a 50,000 mile warranty. This cost me $2200 dollars. Now I am at 110,000 miles and lost the trans again. It seems every 50,000 miles or so I need a replacement. Any ideas???

- tkaczkowski, Plainfield, IL, US

problem #2

Sep 032006

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup

  • 36,000 miles

The warranty had just run out and they would not make it good, said he has alot of them coming in with the problem, it made me lose reverse, second gears

- smitty8131, Middleburg, PA, US

problem #1

Aug 242006

(reported on)

S-10 Pickup Crew Cab

  • 68,000 miles

Unbelievable the vehicle needed a new transmission. The vehicle was supposed to be the the best S-10 trim, more like a beast.

- gage2000, Cape Elizabeth, ME, US