Visibility. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

61 crash reports9 fire reports36 injury reports

Structure complaints

39 reports

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85,000 miles · Mar 10, 2006

Structure

ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET S-10, THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BROKE DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION. THIS HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I REPLACED THAT CABLE AT SIGNIFICANT COST. NOW THE SECOND TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE IS BULGING DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION AND I EXPECT IT WILL SOON BREAK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152434

90,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006

Structure

I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CABLES THAT HOLD UP THE TAILGATE BROKE ON ME WHILE I WAS LOADING CARGO INTO THE BED. THE BROKEN STRAPS HAS SINCE CAUSED MY TAILGATE TO FALL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN A ROUGH ROAD. THE TAILGATE IS NOW SCRATCHED AND DENTED FROM THE INITIAL BREAKING AND FROM FALLING OFF. I HAVE NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT T…

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NHTSA ODI #10148093

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2005

Structure

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE FOR THE TAILGATE HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE OPENING FAILED TO OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WANTED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ALSO, HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SUGGESTED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10143838

97,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005

Structure

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THE EXTENDED CUB 3RD DOOR HANDLES CONTINUES TO BREAK EVERY 6 MONTHS. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I PURCHASED THE 1998 S10 IN MARCH, 04, IN JULY THE HANDLE BROKE. THIS SAME NEW HANDLE BROKE WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER, 04. FINALLY, THE 2 NEW HANDLE BROKE IN AUGUST, 05. THE BREAK IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME AREA. THE DEALER HAS COMMENTED THAT HE HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HIM FOR THIS PART, BUT TO CHEV HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO RECALL OR ASSIST IN ANY WAY. CAN I HAVE YOUR REVIEW AND ASSISTANCE? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132186

49,000 miles · Jul 27, 2005

Structure

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DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLE SNAPPED WITH VERY LIGHT WEIGHT ON IT. AT THE TIME THE CABLE SNAPPED THERE WAS A CHILD ON THE TAILGATE. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT THE LEFT SIDE CARRIED THE WEIGHT. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THE TAILGATE AT THIS POINT. THE OWNER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLES AND MAYBE THE WHOLE TAILGATE ITSELF. THE CABLES WERE FINE. THERE WERE NOT ANY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CABLES. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE OWNER ALSO CALLED GM, AND THEY CONTACTED THE MANAGER, WHO RELAYED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THEY WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10130283

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2005

Structure

1998, S10 PICKUP TAILGATE STRAPS RUSTED IN 2 PIECES. THESE WERE RECALLED ON MY 2002 1500 FULL SIZE. WHY NOT THE S10 ? *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118444

96,200 miles · Apr 21, 2005

Structure

EA 05 008/TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BREAK: WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE AND LOADING A SINK ONTO THE REAR BED THE LEFT SIDE SUPPORT CABLE HAS BROKEN. NO INJURY TO REPORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10119026

48,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004

Structure

WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE THE CABLE BROKE ON BOTH SIDE BECAUSE THEY HAD RUSTED. *AK......*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103764

92,500 miles · Dec 14, 2004

Structure

(1) LOADING SMALL RIDING LAWNMOWER INTO BED OF MY S-10 PICKUP (2) BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WITH NO PRIOR SIGN OF WEAR (3) AWAITING REPLACEMENT CABLES AT EXPENSE OF CHEVROLET, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON CURRENT MODELS AND HAVE RECALLED THEM, BUT NOT MINE!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102981

20,000 miles · Dec 13, 2004

Structure

WHEN THE TAILGATE WAS IN USE BOTH OF THE TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE TAILGATE TO FALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103632

Official recalls

00V374000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Nov 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS CONTAINING A NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERY PACK. THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN SOFTWARE WITHIN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE INTENDED TO DISABLE THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITH THE BATTERY PACK EXCEEDS A PRESCRIBED VALUE. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ILLUMINATE THE "SERVICE NOW" AND "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" TELLTALES AND CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODEL INSTEAD OF BEING DISABLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TELLTALES ARE IGNORED AND THE AFFECTED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN, HEAT COULD BUILD UP AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SOFTWARE IN THE BATTERY PACK MODULE.

00V220000 · Exterior Lighting

Aug 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.

00V159000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 16, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS. A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL-FIRED HEATER FILL PIPE GROUND STRAP CONTACTS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PIPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD WEAR OFF THE CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE BRAKE PIPE, LEADING TO PREMATURE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY. WHEN BRAKE PIPE INTEGRITY IS LOST, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE GROUND STRAP ATTACHMENT, INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE IF NECESSARY.

98V177000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

Aug 4, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC DRIVE. RAPID FOGGING OF THE INTERIOR GLASS CAN OCCUR WITHIN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IF (1) THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 35 AND 76 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND (2) WATER HAS COLLECTED ON THE HEAT EXCHANGER DURING PREVIOUS OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF RAPID FOGGING WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IT COULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISING THEM TO FOLLOW A "STOP AND WAIT" PROCEDURE TO HELP AVOID WINDOW FOGGING WHILE DRIVING.

97V208001 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Nov 25, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.

97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

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

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.

EA99012 · Post Collision Fuel System Integrity

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

ALLEGE THAT IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASHES, THE SUBJECT FUEL TANKS MAY CONTACT THE PROP SHAFT REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT COMPONENTS WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PUNCTURE THE TANK.