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 2001 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I never received Safety Recall# 06020 Galvanized Defective Tailgate Cables that snap/break due to corrosion inside the cable causing the tailgate to fall down while opened. Both my cables have been torn/broken caused by the rust thru for quit some time. My son told me recently, that he had received the Recall Notice a number of years ago and the Chevy Dealer replaced his cables; his S-10 cables are good/solid no problems. I am meticulous with records and surely would have told the Dealer and had them replaced during the recall period. What should I do as I never received the Recall Notice at issue?
Truck has ABS lights on when driving at lower speeds as soon as the fluids are not cold the check gushes light comes on and the oil pressure gauge needle drops until the throttle is again depressed... Also ABS in rear shakes whole truck when going below 50mph and then continues up to 80mph before subsiding. The truck has serious steering issues constant leaks caused I'm sure my rack and pinion are worn down as well as now my tires and supension I have so many problems like the interior is crumbling to pieces the body has giant holes from improper painting options on this model I have over sized tire wells that are rusted completely out it make your company look silly for not making these vehicles better when they last people keep buying them again and again! …
The door latch, that holds your door shut.The wells on them broke and the passenger door came open while going down the road.Big concern had to get it rewelded
I drive a 2001 Chevrolet s-10, that for the most of its life has been in snowy or salty atmospheres. So there is a good amount of rust under the vehicle. A while ago I was driving down the interstate, I hit a bump and heard a pop, and looked in my rearview mirror and there was my spare tire bouncing in the lane I was driving in. Cars swerved around it, I pulled over on the shoulder and got the tire and parts and examined the damage and cause. I have noticed that the only thing holding up that spare tire under my truck was a little cable. Well, just like the spare wheel, the rust got a hold of the cable and the cable rusted through and gave way. I am a professional mechanic, and I could think about how many vehicles there are out there that all that is holding this wheel under the vehicle is a little cable, no "system redundancy" sort of speak. …
2004 tail gate ass failed replaced after market parts 2004 back up lights in/op;004 interrior light will not turn off/ over ride botton used to save battery2005 left front hub ass replaced. 004 right front hub ass replaced;005 front end replaced/pittman/tie rods;2004 oil filter leak / tightened 2004 rear emergency brakes in/op 5 left emergency brake drum replaced;005 right emergency brake drum replaced 2005 gas sending unit replaced eradic behavior 2004 left brake shoe replaced ;004 right brake shoe replaced;005 left brake shoe replaced front;005 right brake shoe replaced front 2005 left brake shoe replaced rear;005 right brake shoe replaced rear;005 u joints replaced;04 battery replaced 2005 transmission showing signs of wear;005 rear end {3.42} locker clangs between 1st and revved. …
I have a 2001 Chevy S10 pickup, was sitting on my tailgate whenone of the tailgate straps broke, throwing me off of the tailgate. I was suprised, but not injured. . Upon examination, I notice that the tailgate strap cable was rusting out on the inside of the coating that had been placed over the cablem. Many of the calble strands had rusted though. There is a recall on tailgat straps for full size pickups, but not the S10. I believe that the same problem of the tailgate straps rusting through and causing an injury if both fail at the same time exists in the S10 line of pickups also.
When my son went to open the rear tailgate of my 2001 s-10 crewcab, both tailgate cables broke at the same time. We were fortunate that he wasn't on the tailgate as he could have easily been injured and damage could have occurred to the tailgate. I didn't realize this might be a problem until after mine broke and I started to do a little research on the internet. It appears this is happening to a lot of s-10 pickup owners. I am currently in the process of getting parts to replace the cables.
Hauling my 1935 Chevrolet engine block and unloading it from my 2001 s-10 pickup. The tailgate cables on both side separated dropping the gate to the rear bmper and in the process tipped the engine block into my lap bruising both of my legs badly. My Chevrolet dealer wouldnot replace them without full charge for labor & parts in spite of the same (or similar) cables on the big trucks. I have not replaced them as of yet as I still think they should have been recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet s-10 pick up. The contact stated that the driver side door hinges were fracturing from the vehicle and the doors were glued to the frame instead of welded. The contact stated that the driver side door could fall off while driving and cause a crash. The contact called the manufacturer and the manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure and current mileage was 174,500.
Dt*: the contact stated the right side safety straps on the tailgate has been replaced in the past. Due to corrosion and breakage, the vehicle is now having the same type of problems with the tail gate. The straps need to be replaced again. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V129000 concerning the tailgate: hinge: attachments. However the vehicle is not included in the recall due to the make and model. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 03/28/06.
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 2001 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Chevrolet S10, 24% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet S10 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Chevrolet S10, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2001 Chevrolet S10 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 7 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.