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
What owners actually said
214 reports
46,610 miles · Feb 13, 2006
StructureInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10150137
8,000 miles · Jan 27, 2006
Structure
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.
NHTSA ODI #10148865
49,000 miles · Jan 20, 2006
Structure
PLACED ABOUT A 200 POUND TORCH ON TAILGATE WHEN LIFING INTO 2002 CHEVY S10 TRUCK. TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES OR DAMAGED PROPERTY THAT DAY, IN THE FUTURE A 275 POUND OWNER COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE TAILGATE AND A BROKEN CABLE COULD CAUSE BROKEN BONES OR LACERATIONS. TO CORRECT PROBLEM ONE CAN NOT SIMPLY REPLACE A …
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PLACED ABOUT A 200 POUND TORCH ON TAILGATE WHEN LIFING INTO 2002 CHEVY S10 TRUCK. TAILGATE CABLE BROKE. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES OR DAMAGED PROPERTY THAT DAY, IN THE FUTURE A 275 POUND OWNER COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE TAILGATE AND A BROKEN CABLE COULD CAUSE BROKEN BONES OR LACERATIONS. TO CORRECT PROBLEM ONE CAN NOT SIMPLY REPLACE A $10 CABLE. GM HAS MADE THE VEHICLE SO YOU HAVE TO BUY THE CABLE AND HINGE FOR $45. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND IF THESE CABLES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND RECALLED IN THE SILVERADOS THEY SHOULD PROBABLY ALSO BE RECALLED ON THE S10S. AS OF YET THE CABLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED-WAILTING TO SEE IF A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148233
15,240 miles · Dec 22, 2005
Electrical System
2002 CHEVY S-10 BATTERY ACID LEAKED. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146494
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2005
Structure
ONE OF THE CABLES THAT SUPPORT THE OPEN TAILGATE ON MY 2002 CHEVY S-10 FAILED AND BROKE WHEN OPENING THE TAILGATE. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THIS PART BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THAT THE PART HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER CHEVY TRUCKS. WHY IS THIS TRUCK MODEL NOT INCLUDED IN THE PAST RECALLS? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145558
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2005
Structure
DT: THE CONTACT STATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STEPPING OFF THE TAILGATE THE CABLES BROKE SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE PURCHASED THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10144969
200,000 miles · Dec 1, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144172
42,500 miles · Nov 29, 2005
Structure
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP. I WAS HELPING A FRIEND MOVE SOME SMALL FURNITURE WHEN AT THE END OF OUR LAST RUN I NOTICED MY TAILGATE WAS RESTING ON MY BUMPER. APPARENTLY THE TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE SITE OF FAILURE WHERE THE CABLE SNAPPED WAS RUSTED THROUGH. NOW THIS IS A CABLE THAT IS ENTIRELY …
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I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP. I WAS HELPING A FRIEND MOVE SOME SMALL FURNITURE WHEN AT THE END OF OUR LAST RUN I NOTICED MY TAILGATE WAS RESTING ON MY BUMPER. APPARENTLY THE TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE SITE OF FAILURE WHERE THE CABLE SNAPPED WAS RUSTED THROUGH. NOW THIS IS A CABLE THAT IS ENTIRELY ENCASED IN PLASTIC FROM THE FACTORY AND IT STILL MANAGED TO RUST. I HAVE OPEN AND CLOSED MY TAILGATE PERHAPS TWO DOZEN TIMES IN THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS SO THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT A WEAR ISSUE.. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD EXTEND THE TAILGATE RECALL IT HAS FOR ITS FULL SIZE TRUCKS(WHICH EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM) TO INCLUDE THEIR MID-SIZE S-10 TRUCKS AS WELL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143920
32,705 miles · Nov 3, 2005
Air BagsCrash
DT: WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THAT WARNED THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10141691
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A BRAKE PROBLEM IN WHICH THE ABS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN USED OR DRIVEN ON GRAVEL AND ON WET PAVEMENT. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE DEALER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED GM. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS S…
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DT: THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A BRAKE PROBLEM IN WHICH THE ABS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN USED OR DRIVEN ON GRAVEL AND ON WET PAVEMENT. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE DEALER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED GM. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATES. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10138411
Official recalls
0
No 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
2
EA05008 · 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.
2002 Chevrolet S10 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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