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

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2004

Structure

WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE BOTH SUPPORT TAILGATE CABLES BROKE. SUDDENLY THE TAILGATE DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE CAUSE HA NOT BEEN DETERMINED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10101877

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2004

Steering

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GEAR OIL OUT OF THE REAR END. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND EACH TIME THEY DID NOT REPAIR IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE IT BACK AGAIN AFTER A WHILE. VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FOURTH TIME. MECHANIC KEPT INSISTING THAT RACK AND PINION WAS THE PROB…

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NHTSA ODI #10094652

19,850 miles · Sep 17, 2004

Electrical System

A/C FAN EITHER STOPS FUNCTIONING OR SLOWS TO LOW AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS (USUALLY 20-25 MINUTES) RUNNING FAN ON HIGH AT MAX COOL DURING PERIODS OF HOT (75-80 DEGREES) WEATHER. TURNING FAN AND A/C OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES TEMPORARILY RESOLVES PROBLEM. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE UNLESS THEY HAVE VEHICLE IN FAILURE MODE, WHICH IS U…

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NHTSA ODI #10091205

50,312 miles · Jul 14, 2004

Power Train

POWERTRAUN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. COULD SHIFT TO "R" BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION, LINCOLN, NE. WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS RETAIL BUSINESS, IS AVERAGING 10 REPAIRS A MONTH ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND FAILURE.*…

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NHTSA ODI #10081057

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED AND PEDAL TOUCHED THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10081350

13,000 miles · Jun 5, 2004

Seats

DRIVER SEAT FAILS TO LOCK IN PLACE. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SEAT COMES LOOSE AND MOVES TO THE FULL BACK POSITION AND LOCKS. OR IF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED AGAIN AND I BRAKE, THE SEAT MOVES TO THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074865

7,580 miles · May 22, 2004

Service Brakes, Air

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-BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE (2002 CHEROLET S10 PICKUP) WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED (20-35 MPH). BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AT LEAST ONCE, POSSIBLY MORE, AS I TRIED TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. BRAKES FINALLY CAUGHT BUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY FOR THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. VEHICLE, WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRENTY, WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND NO DEFECTS OR PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO SINCE THEY CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072991

10 miles · Apr 15, 2004

Unknown Or Other

ZR2 S-10 4X4 EXT.CAB PICKUP (2002). NO MENTION OF COMPONENT FAILURES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066238

70,000 miles · Apr 13, 2004

Structure

WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE LEFT/RIGHT TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067061

36,000 miles · Mar 23, 2004

Exterior Lighting

SAFETY RELATED ITEM: STOP LAMPS (BRAKE LIGHTS) ARE NOT FUNCTIONING DUE TO FAULTY STOP LAMP SWITCH AFTER 37000 MILES (JUST OUT OF THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY PERIOD OF 36000 MILES). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063693

Official recalls

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

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.