IllustrationBOTH CABLES SECURING THE TAIL GATE ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 BROKE. WHILE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN IF MY WIFE HAD NOT BEEN ALERT AND PREVENTED THE TAILGATE FROM DROPPING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS CURRENT A PRODUCT SAFETY MEMO FOR THE 1999-2000 CHEV SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA. *NM
2002 Chevrolet S10
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S10 years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet S10 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S10 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
3925–50K
3250–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
139 reports with mileage · 75 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports
Structure complaints
73 reportsWHEN OPENING THE TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK BOTH CABLES BROKE IN THE MIDDLE DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM GM HAS ON THEIR LARGER TRUCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *NM
MY CHEVY 2002 S10 PICKUP TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WITHIN 1 YEAR AND MY AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT IN JUNE 2003....I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY!! THE TAILGATE HIT MY FOOT AND BRUISED IT GOOD. *NM
I READ WITH PERSONAL INTEREST ABOUT THE GM RECALL FOR FULL SIZE PICKUP TAILGATE CABLE FAILURES. WHILE I OWN A 2002 CHEVY S10 PICKUP AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILED CABLE DUE TO RUST, MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY? AS IT IS NOW THE TAILGATE IS NOT USABLE UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED, WALKING OVER THE TAILGATE IS …
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I READ WITH PERSONAL INTEREST ABOUT THE GM RECALL FOR FULL SIZE PICKUP TAILGATE CABLE FAILURES. WHILE I OWN A 2002 CHEVY S10 PICKUP AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILED CABLE DUE TO RUST, MY TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY? AS IT IS NOW THE TAILGATE IS NOT USABLE UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED, WALKING OVER THE TAILGATE IS SURE TO LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE SECOND CABLE AND A FALL TO THE GROUND. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, THE DRIVER SIDE CABLE BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE IS BREAKING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V129000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL D…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, THE DRIVER SIDE CABLE BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE IS BREAKING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V129000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
HAVING READ ABOUT THE GM RECALL FOR THE FULL SIZE PICKUP TAILGATE CABLES ONE OF TWO CABLES FAILED ON MY 2002 S10 CREW CAB P/U. I REPLACED ONLY ONE BECAUSE OF THE COST. THE CABLE FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, APPROXIMATELY THREE AND HALF YEARS. THIS WAS WITH NORMAL USAGE, NO HEAVY WEIGHTS, THE CABLE JUST CORRODED THROUGH…
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HAVING READ ABOUT THE GM RECALL FOR THE FULL SIZE PICKUP TAILGATE CABLES ONE OF TWO CABLES FAILED ON MY 2002 S10 CREW CAB P/U. I REPLACED ONLY ONE BECAUSE OF THE COST. THE CABLE FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, APPROXIMATELY THREE AND HALF YEARS. THIS WAS WITH NORMAL USAGE, NO HEAVY WEIGHTS, THE CABLE JUST CORRODED THROUGH. THE S10 USES A SIMILAR IF NOT HE SAME CABLE AS THE FULL SIZE. *NM
MY SON-IN-LAW SAT DOWN ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 AND BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE. HE FELL TO THE GROUND BUT ONLY SUFFERED MINOR SCRAPES AND A SPRAINED ANKLE AND BACK. I HAD THE CABLES REPLACED AT THE DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK. THERE WERE RECALLS IN FORCE FOR OTHER GMC TRUCKS WHOSE TAILGATE CABLES H…
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MY SON-IN-LAW SAT DOWN ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 AND BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE. HE FELL TO THE GROUND BUT ONLY SUFFERED MINOR SCRAPES AND A SPRAINED ANKLE AND BACK. I HAD THE CABLES REPLACED AT THE DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK. THERE WERE RECALLS IN FORCE FOR OTHER GMC TRUCKS WHOSE TAILGATE CABLES HAD SUDDENLY BROKEN, BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT MY PARTICULAR YEAR WAS NOT AMONG THEM. I FEEL, IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALLS, MINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN, THAT RECALL,OR AT LEAST THIS RECALL, AND MY DEDUCTION FOR THE REPAIRS COVERED BY GMC. I AM CERTAIN THAT ALL THE TRUCKS USING THE SAME CABLES WILL, OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF SAID CABLES. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE THE CABLES ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE WERE BROKEN. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V129000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE BODY TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL AND VIN…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE THE CABLES ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE WERE BROKEN. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V129000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE BODY TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL AND VIN.
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP BROKE WHILE OPENING AND FELL ONTO MY FOOT. FOOT WAS ONLY BRUISED AND I DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLES HAD CORRODED AND SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON CHEVROLET PROBLEM, AS CHEVROLET AND GMC FULL-SIZE PICKUPS HAVE BEEN REC…
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TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP BROKE WHILE OPENING AND FELL ONTO MY FOOT. FOOT WAS ONLY BRUISED AND I DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLES HAD CORRODED AND SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON CHEVROLET PROBLEM, AS CHEVROLET AND GMC FULL-SIZE PICKUPS HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO REPLACE CABLES. I REPLACED THE CABLES FOR $98.37. THE CABLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY TAKES PLACE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LEANS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY EXPLAINED THEY COULD REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHEN THE DEALER TOOK THE FRONT END APART, THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE ON BACKWARDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO MORE THAN ONE-HALF INCH OFF, THEY COULD NOT MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICL…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LEANS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY EXPLAINED THEY COULD REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHEN THE DEALER TOOK THE FRONT END APART, THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE ON BACKWARDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO MORE THAN ONE-HALF INCH OFF, THEY COULD NOT MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05008 · Tailgate Support Cables
Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed May 19, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
RQ04012 · Tailgate Support Cable(s) Break
Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE MASS IS SMALLER; AND THE SIZE, PAYLOAD, AND USAGE CHARACTERISTCIS ARE LESS DEMANDING THAN C/K MODEL VEHICLES.GM ALSO STATED THAT SONOMA AND S-10 WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION INDICATES A LOWER CLAIM COUNT AND A LOWER CLAIM RATE THAN RECALLED C/K MODELS.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 73 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 10 INJURY COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING RQ04-012 (SINCE NOVEMBER 2004 TO DATE), WHICH JUSTIFIES OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.