27th Apr 2009, 22:42

I have a 2000 Blazer ZR2. Bought it in 02, I've put 2 fuel pumps in it, and one battery and one set of tires (all 5). She has 158k. Always starts.

A/C has a leak that I can't find, and I can't get the rear hatch open. Runs good though. I get 16mpg/avg. For the price it was a good deal.

30th Jun 2009, 11:24

I have a 2001 ZR2.. bought it a few years ago, it had 42k on it, I have 113k on it.. not many problems at all. Fuel pump once, and the 3rd door handle, which I replaced with a metal one, tailgate cables just replaced, and of course seat recliner, which I have ordered and will replace this week... Other than that, great truck.

I have abused it with lots of off roading and lots of highway miles, I live in Washington State, many many trips to Idaho, a couple to S. Ca and several to Colorado.. pulls about 15MPG in town and 19-20 on the road.. It has been a very good truck.. NOT the caliber of my 77 Cheyenne, but for a little truck, it has been good.

22nd Jul 2009, 18:45

2003 S-10 ZR2, 60,500 miles. A/C compressor is dead, ball joints are popping, and intake manifold is leaking. Oh and the third door handle is broken for the fourth time. I just ordered the metal replacement. What's it cost to replace the ball joints?

24th Jul 2009, 14:07

Bought a 2003 S-10 ZR2 a couple of months ago from an auction dealer. It's a beautiful truck, has 31" tires and the 3" factory lift. After the 30 day warranty ran out, I started getting an intermittent ABS light at low speeds. Read the ABS computer codes pointed to the front two wheel speed sensors. A shop replaced the BCM for $ 515.00, which didn't fix the problem. I did some research and found that the WSS on these S-10's are an integral part of the hubs, which means to change the WSS, you have to replace the entire front hub. A Chevrolet mechanic told me that the S-10 4x4's are notoriously hard on the front suspensions and often wear components out faster than other 4x4's. I'm ready to do the hubs any day, if that fixes the ABS problem then it's going to be worth the work!

19th Aug 2009, 21:21

I just bought an 04 S-10 ZR2 about 2 months ago, and it was great for the first 30 days, till I noticed when I had the air conditioner on the engine seemed to rev loud, but the tachometer didn't go up in rpms... and just today I was sitting at a red light with the air on, and the air conditioner seized up and causes the engine to shut off every time. No more air conditioning for me in 110 degree weather... also noticed a knocking noise whenever I turned a corner from the front end... sounds like everyone is having the same problems with this truck: ball joints and air problems.

20th Aug 2009, 15:05

My 2000 ZR2 Extended Cab short box now has 115,000 miles on it. I got it at 65,000. No major problems until recently with third door opening operation breaking inside somewhere (won't open, so I'm just going to leave it shut). The third door jiggles and makes noise too. Passenger sliding seat handle just broke off and will be replaced. A front hub assembly went bad and was just replaced. But, on occasion, I pull a pop-up camping trailer and most recently took it 600 miles. So I can't complain too much. Oh yeah, the heater/AC fan makes some noise like others have said. But, overall, a nice truck that is holding up well. Nice looking and I get a lot of nice compliments from folks who see it.

22nd Dec 2009, 17:34

I bought my 2002 S-10 ZR2 used with 18,000 on it in 2003. I was lucky that it still had the warranty for a few years. I like the truck, as it suits my life style great and looks great. However, it seems like I have had to replace a lot of things on it.

While under warranty, I've replaced the door pins (air was coming in door while driving), the fuel filter (vehicle failed to start), replaced the leaf springs (bed was sagging), the thermostat, and performed general service.

After the warranty, my transmission kept getting stuck in four wheel drive. After about $700 and three trips to the dealership for the same problem, they finally found out that a wiring harness had been in contact with the exhaust and shorted out.

At 50,000 I replaced the BFGs with some Goodyear Wranglers.

At 70,000 my rear U-joint froze and squeaked like crazy so I replaced that. Shortly after, I replaced the front lower ball joints and idler arms and re-did the brakes (new rotors and pads).

At 74,000 I replaced the thermostat again and the shocks. I replaced the shocks primarily cause I was getting this annoying "knocking" sound when I turned slowly or turned into a curbed driveway.

I would say at least once a year my "Service engine soon light" comes on (I usually let it shine for a few months).

At 73,000 I started to notice some body minor body rust on the tailgate and bottom cab rear corners.

Overall, the truck has been okay. It seems like a lot of the parts aren't meant for the "off-road" image and category the truck displays. I haven't really taken it off-road that much and I think has helped but it still seems as if parts were poorly engineered. The mileage is crap 15 mpg or so, but it could be worse.

I would recommend if you are getting work done on this particular model. Stay away from the dealership and go for aftermarket parts. The GM parts are the same that came on the truck and go bad quickly. Dealership also charges about $40 just to look at it. Other places give you free estimates.

7th Apr 2010, 16:43

I bought an 02 S10 ZR2 about 6 months ago with 100,000 miles on it. I chose this one over an S10 ZR2 that had half the miles on it to save $4k. It now has 120k miles on it, and I couldn't be happier with it.

My only problem has been the hood latch cable. It went bad and the hood wouldn't pop open. The part was $28.95.

Prior to this truck, I had a 98 Tacoma TRD. Both had/have V6 engine and 5spd tranny. I like the ride and power of the S10 better. And parts are way cheaper for the Chevy.

My Tacoma was a fun truck though. We rebuilt the engine at 170k and sold it. Then I got this lil Chevy!

My S10 has been getting between 15.8 and 18.4 mpg, on average around 17. 15.8 and 18.4 are my best and worst tanks. I drive about 50% hwy and 50% city (not rural or suburb).

If you find an S10 with a clean body, don't let the miles scare ya. They are great trucks, and if the motor is done, but the body is good, then get it. You can find used 4.3L V6's for $500. They are a dime a dozen.

And to all of you who complain about repairing your car, take care of it. Cars foreign and domestic are machines that wear and need maintenance. Get used to it. Buy a book, read it, buy some tools and fix your own stuff. It will save you thousands and thousands of dollars.