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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,186 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Jul 162008

S-10 Pickup

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tailgate cable snapped while tailgate was down. Closer inspection reveals corrosion inside the cable. No unusual weight was placed on tailgate. I believe this issue which was recalled in the Silverado line should also be recalled in the S-10 line.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #38

Apr 152007

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,509 miles
2002 Chevrolet S-10 tailgate cable was defective. One of them broke without warning. Upon inspection the other cable was faulty and likely to break also. Since I was standing on the tailgate at the time, I was lucky to avoid injury when the cable broke.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #37

Sep 232006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
I was unloading some limbs and brush into a brush pile from the back of my 2002 Chevrolet S-10 truck when both tailgate cables snapped and I fell into the pile. I weigh 200 pounds and the limbs I was unloading weighed about 20 pounds. I was not injured and there appears to be no damage to the tailgate itself. I was looking online to order new parts when I found about a hundred similar complaints, some with injuries, and still no recall. I became angry when I found out GM knows about this problem and has ignored their customers' safety. Also, the cables are riveted in which means you have to replace the entire assembly which is $60 for one side therefore total cost is around $120.

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #36

Sep 162006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was loading a storage trunk onto the bed of my 2002 S10 when both tailgate support cables snapped and dropped the trunk off of the rear of the truck. Luckily I was not standing behind it. I am aware of the recall on tailgate straps for full size Chevrolet trucks, and would like to see the recall expanded to my model truck also so I can get it fixed. I use the truck frequently to carry cargo.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #35

Sep 082006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,360 miles
Tailgate cable broke with less than 75 lbs (my 7yr old daughter) sitting on tailgate. Cables appeared to be corroded due to a coating on them that allowed moisture to come in contact with cable.

- Morganton, NC, USA

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problem #34

Sep 042006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,500 miles
The cable that retains the tailgate has broken. It is encased in a vinyl covering that hides the rust that appears to have caused the failure. The cable has rusted out in the middle causing the tailgate to be unstable when loading/unloading. When unloading the truck, the unstable tailgate caused a fall. The vinyl casing prevents visual inspection for rust, and probably leads to rust since it retains moisture. The design and installation of the cables prevents ready replacement as the entire latch must be removed/replaced.

- Wellesley, MA, USA

problem #33

Aug 022006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated the tailgate cable corroded and fractured in half. There was an NHTSA recall, # 04V129000, regarding the structure: Body: Tailgate: Hinge and attachments. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 08/25/06.

- Sand Springs, OK, USA

problem #32

Jul 032006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,179 miles
2002 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck. 37,179 miles on vehicle. Tailgate support cable broke with one person sitting on the tailgate. Plastic coating ripped away revealing that the steel cable was very rusted.

- Hartland, WI, USA

problem #31

Jan 142006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Both tailgate cables broke on my 02 S-10 under my weight(170lbs).

- Vestal, NY, USA

problem #30

Jun 102006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
(1) I own an 02 S-10 sports side pickup which I rarely use the tail gate. (2) my 250 lb 6'3" father put the tailgate down, sat on it, and the tailgate support cables snapped. He didn't jump, hop, or sit down excessively hard and they broke. (3) upon further inspection of the tailgate it wasn't creased so I was okay. My uncle (who works for a dealership) said there was a recall on the full sizes and he would check for mine. He calls back no recall but the cables are $10 a piece. I'm thinking ok no problem. The next day he said those cables were discontinued and the new ones/ new assembly cost $35 a piece. So I'm going from a $20 fix to $70. That's insane. Why should they make more money off me from their mistake?

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #29

May 312006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,595 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both 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.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #28

Jun 052006

S-10 Pickup 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 79,006 miles
When 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.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #27

Jun 202003

S-10 Pickup 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Catoosa, OK, USA

problem #26

Feb 052006

S-10 Pickup 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,200 miles
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.

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

problem #25

Mar 142006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
: 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.

- Atco, NJ, USA

problem #24

Jul 152005

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,500 miles
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.

- Monticello, FL, USA

problem #23

Mar 102006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
: 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.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #22

Feb 112006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,610 miles
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.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

problem #21

Jan 042006

S-10 Pickup 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles
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 Silverado 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.

- Watertown, WI, USA

problem #20

Jun 152005

S-10 Pickup

  • miles
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?

- Saginaw, MI, USA

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