When did chevy stop making the S-10?

The Chevrolet S-10 was discontinued after the 2004 model year. In North America, production ended in 2003 as GM introduced the Chevrolet Colorado to replace it for 2004.

Context and timeline

To understand when the S-10 ceased production, it helps to trace its evolution from the early 1980s through its replacement. The S-10 launched in 1982 as Chevrolet's compact pickup and ran through multiple generations until GM introduced a newer compact truck lineup in the early 2000s. The official end came with the 2004 model year in North America, marking the end of the S-10’s production run in that market.

Replacement: the Colorado and Canyon

As part of GM’s shift to a more modern small-truck lineup, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon were developed on a new platform. They were introduced for the 2004 model year and, in North America, effectively replaced the S-10/Sonoma pickups as the core GM compact-truck offering.

Key milestones in the end of the S-10 era include:

• 1982: The S-10 first arrives as Chevrolet's compact pickup, offering a lightweight alternative to full-size trucks.


• 1994: The S-10 enters a second generation with updated styling and powertrains.


• Early 2000s: GM begins phasing in the Colorado/Canyon family as successors to the S-10/Sonoma.


• 2004 model year: Colorado/Canyon replace the S-10/Sonoma in North America; production of the S-10 winds down.

In short, the end of S-10 production is tied to the introduction of the Colorado for the 2004 model year, with manufacturing winding down in 2003 as the new model took its place.

Market and regional variations

Across different markets, timing can vary slightly. North America saw the S-10 discontinued in favor of the Colorado for the 2004 model year. Some international markets that previously sold the S-10 continued to receive variants or locally produced equivalents for a time, depending on demand and regulatory conditions, but the global production largely concluded in the early 2000s as GM restructured its truck lineup.

Impact on buyers and collectors

For buyers, the end of the S-10 era meant bidding farewell to a longtime经济-friendly compact pickup and turning toward a newer generation that offered improved safety, comfort, and capability. Collectors now seek well-preserved early and second-generation models as a snapshot of a transitional period in GM’s truck strategy.

Summary: The Chevrolet S-10 was discontinued after the 2004 model year; GM transitioned to the Chevrolet Colorado as its replacement in North America, with production winding down in 2003 as the new model took its place. This marked the end of the S-10’s nearly two-decade run as Chevrolet’s compact pickup.

Is the Chevy S10 discontinued?

Yes, the Chevy S10 was discontinued in North America after the 2004 model year, replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado. However, the S10 name continues to be used for a different model sold in South America, which is produced in Brazil. 

• Discontinued in North America: The original S10 production in North America ended in 2004, and the Colorado was introduced as its successor. 
• Continued in South America: The S10 name is still in use for a midsize truck produced and sold in Brazil, built on an older platform that is separate from the North American Colorado, notes GM Authority and this GM Authority article. 

What are common problems with Chevy S10s?

Top Chevrolet S10 Problems

• ABS Light Due to Brake System Control Unit Failure.
• Internal Faults in Distributor Can Cause Engine Problems.
• Fuel Level Sensor Failure.
• Replace Fuel Filter Every 30,000 to Prevent Fuel Pump Failure.
• Heater Core Under Right Side of Dashboard May Leak Engine Coolant.

What does S in S-10 stand for?

The "S" in S-10 stands for "S-series" chassis, a model designation for Chevrolet's compact pickup truck, similar to how "C" and "K" denoted two-wheel and four-wheel drive on their full-size trucks, respectively. Internally, it was sometimes referred to as the "S/T" series, but it was badged with "S-10" for all versions.
 

• S-series: The "S" refers to the truck's chassis design, which was part of the S-series truck family, according to Facebook users. 
• Internal designation: Some internal Chevrolet documents also used "T" to distinguish four-wheel-drive models, making the internal codename "S/T," although the external badging remained "S-10" for all configurations, notes Wikipedia. 

What did Chevy replace the S-10 with?

The Chevrolet Colorado replaced the Chevy S-10 in the North American market, with the S-10 being discontinued after the 2004 model year. The Colorado was developed as a joint venture between GM Brazil and Isuzu and was first introduced to North America around the same time the S-10 ceased production.
 
This video explains the history of Chevy trucks, including the S-10 and its replacement, the Colorado: 52sAll Cars with JonYouTube · Mar 23, 2024

• The S-10 was phased out in North America following the 2004 model year. 
• The Colorado was introduced as the S-10's successor in the compact pickup truck segment. 
• The Isuzu i-Series was also discontinued around the same time and was part of the same replacement strategy. 

You can watch this video to see the design and features of the new Colorado: 57sAutoTrend YouTube · Apr 11, 2025