10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,985 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Mar 152008

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,542 miles
A rusted tailgate cable on a 1999 S-10 ZR2 Chevrolet truck broken. You cannot replace just the cable. You have to get a latch cable assembly which is very expensive. I think there should be a recall. The right size is broken and the left side is close to breaking. It is also a very hard to find the correct part.

- Hurricane, WV, USA

problem #10

Feb 222007

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet S10. While standing on the tailgate, the cables failed that hold the right side of the tailgate. The cables were rusted and the left side cables were replaced a few months prior to the failure. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 110,000. *updated 12/12/07 updated 12/12/07

- Sugar Grove , VA, USA

problem #9

Apr 012007

S-10 Pickup

  • miles
I bought a 1999 Chevrolet S10 pickup, and was in the process of replacing a broken tailgate cable, when I came across a recall for 2000-2004 S10 pickups with a similar problem. From the sounds of it the problem with my S10 was consistent with the description of the recall with the cable rusting through.

- Voorhees, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jul 112006

S-10 Pickup

  • miles
: the contact stated that while retrieving items from the back of the vehicle the tailgate cables snapped off twice causing minor injuries to the contact. The dealers offered to replace the cables at cost and acknowledged that there was a recall for the full size trucks but not the S10. No service or repairs have been made to the vehicle.

- Olney, IL, USA

problem #7

Jun 152004

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
I own a 1999 Chevy S-10 pickup. I very rarely have put loads in my truck. I have moved a couple of times since I bought the truck new, and that's been about it. I have not put anything really heavy in the back such as an atv. This past summer, one of my tailgate cables broke. Upon inspection, it clearly rusted out until it became weakened and broke. I inspected my other cable and it appears as though it is about to break as well. The cable has rusted on the inside of the plastic coating that covers the cable. When my cable broke it bent the tailgate of my truck (I guess when it hit the bumper). Upon a visit to my dealer, I was told it would cost me $40 just for the replacement part, much less installation. These cables need to be redesigned/replaced. Someone could get hurt if they are not. I have a 1980 luv pickup and its tailgate works fine. Now I can't put any weight on my 1999 S-10's tailgate for fear of the other side breaking.

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #6

Jan 012005

S-10 Pickup 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Loading a clothes dryer when tailgate cables broke, no injuries were noted.

- Gray, TN, USA

problem #5

Dec 152004

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 59,889 miles
I own a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 4X4. On wed Dec the 15th both my tailgate cables broke in half. I was putting some extra sets of wheels in the back. When I set the wheel on the tailgate the tailgate cables snapped. No one was hurt and there is some minor damage to my tailgate. I am glad no one was riding on the tailgate or it didn't happen while driving. It looks like they had rusted out and just let loose. I never even knew they were rusting out.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #4

Aug 192004

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
Both wire cables to the rear tailgate of my 1999 S-10 pickup failed at the same time and the tailgate dropped tothe rear bumper and I fell off the truck. Cables were rusted out at the same places were the plastic coating had cracked.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #3

May 142004

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,408 miles
1999 Chevrolet S-10 4X4 extended cab pickup. Tailgate cable broke due to corrosion. Other cable in fail mode. Contacted dealer as I was made aware of GM recall for problem. Was informed my truck year & model was not in recall. Vehicles covered are for corroded cables breaking. I can understand GM reluctance as a fix for my truck is more expensive. Replacement would also include tailgate latch bracket as cables end is permanently riveted to it. But this still remains to be a safety issue no matter what year or model.

- Vergennes, VT, USA

problem #2

May 212004

S-10 Pickup 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The passenger's side tailgate broke in half due to corrosion. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic informed the consumer that this part was not under recall. The consumer felt that the recall for the 200 model should apply to this vehicle as well.

- Homer, GA, USA

problem #1

Dec 012003

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Upon opening tailgate and without any indication tail cables broke, causing tailgate to drop.

- Niles, MI, USA