Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1999 Chevy s-10 pickup. I very rarely have put loads in my truck. I have moved a couple of times since I bought the truck new, and that's been about it. I have not put anything really heavy in the back such as an atv. This past summer, one of my tailgate cables broke. Upon inspection, it clearly rusted out until it became weakened and broke. I inspected my other cable and it appears as though it is about to break as well. The cable has rusted on the inside of the plastic coating that covers the cable. When my cable broke it bent the tailgate of my truck (I guess when it hit the bumper). Upon a visit to my dealer, I was told it would cost me $40 just for the replacement part, much less installation. These cables need to be redesigned/replaced. Someone could get hurt if they are not. I have a 1980 luv pickup and its tailgate works fine. …
I had just noticed through my front wheel well that there was a crack in my frame. I took it to a mechanic and they had never seen anything like that before. He had noticed that it is cracked on both sides and my rearend is also affected by the cracks in the frame. The frame is not rusted and I have never been in an accident or have taken it off road. It has 127,000 miles on the truck and it is a 1999 so it is only 6 years old. There is no plausable explanation for this I would like an investigation done so this doesnt happen to anyone else. I will be taking it to the dealer I bought it from also to see what can be done.
1999 Chevrolet s-10 4x4 extended cab pickup. Tailgate cable broke due to corrosion. Other cable in fail mode. Contacted dealer as I was made aware of GM recall for problem. Was informed my truck year & model was not in recall. Vehicles covered are for corroded cables breaking. I can understand GM reluctance as a fix for my truck is more expensive. Replacement would also include tailgate latch bracket as cables end is permanently riveted to it. But this still remains to be a safety issue no matter what year or model.
While reclining the driver side seat, the lever broke without any force being applied. Also, the passenger side lever broke on a separate occasion. No force was used in either incidents they simply broke during normal use. The cost to repair the vehicle was approximately $186.00 each. GM refuses to repair the seats and they have not issued a recall knowing there is a definitely a problem with the seats. Also the door handle on the jump door extended cab broke.
I own a 1999 Chevrolet s-10 4x4. On wed dec the 15th both my tailgate cables broke in half. I was putting some extra sets of wheels in the back. When I set the wheel on the tailgate the tailgate cables snapped. No one was hurt and there is some minor damage to my tailgate. I am glad no one was riding on the tailgate or it didn't happen while driving. It looks like they had rusted out and just let loose. I never even knew they were rusting out.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet S10. While standing on the tailgate, the cables failed that hold the right side of the tailgate. The cables were rusted and the left side cables were replaced a few months prior to the failure. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 110,000. *updated 12/12/07 updated 12/12/07
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet S10. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the rear tailgate and suddenly the cable broke. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the tailgate cable was replaced. The failure recurred approximately six years later. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that he noticed that the spare tire became detached from the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the spare tire cable had fractured prematurely. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 60,620.
Tailgate cable failure on my 1999 Chevrolet s-10 for the second time in five years, the tailgate cables have snapped on my 1999 s-10. This is particularly distressing, since it happens when loading or unloading the truck, or when someone is sitting or standing on the tailgate, causing property damage to the truck or the person on the tailgate.
A rusted tailgate cable on a 1999 s-10 zr2 Chevrolet truck broken. You cannot replace just the cable. You have to get a latch cable assembly which is very expensive. I think there should be a recall. The right size is broken and the left side is close to breaking. It is also a very hard to find the correct part.
NHTSA investigations
Tailgate support cable(s) break
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…
Body complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Chevrolet S10, 12% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet S10 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1999 Chevrolet S10. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet S10 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.