Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
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. …
Tailgate cable broke in half on drivers side. 2001 Chevy s-10 crew cab. No events leading up to failure. Potential hazard if hauling a load of lumber with tailgate down or if a person were sitting on the tailgate as it snapped. Potential injury could occur in either situation. Recall already exsists for full size cheverolet pickups using the same cable. Correcting the failure would involve the cable itself, as well as the latch on the tailgate that the cable is connected to.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet s-10. The contact stated the plastic third rear door latch would continuously fracture from the vehicle. The contact would have the latch replaced and after the fall and winter seasons, the latch would fracture again. The dealer advised the failure was caused by the material used in the design of the latch. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.
I have a 2001 Chevrolet s-10 pick-up with 4-doors and 4wd. Vehicle has been well taken care of with no damage. The metal door post frame where the door latch is attached is disintegrating due to what appears to be a very thin metal section. It appears that the door May soon come open during a right turn due to a failure of the dorr latch mechanism. This May cause substantial injury and vehicle damage.
I found the driver side tailgate support cable of our 2001 Chevrolet s-10 pickup snapped. The passenger side cable has not snapped. Under NHTSA action number ea05008-special policy-I would like to request that both support cables be repaired free of charge just as stated in the defect investigation summary. Please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.
On my 2001 S10, one tailgate support cable broke when lowering the tailgate. I have seen a recall on these cables on the full size trucks, but not the s series trucks, yet the cables are the same construction and seem to have the same widespread breakage problem. GM refuses to warrant these cables or include them in the recall.
The tailgate straps rusted through and broke on both my chev S10 year model 1997 and 2001. The replacement cost is higher than the cost of the straps., because they have increased the price with a modification that costs 6 times more than the replacement strap.
The door latches have faulty springs that break causing the doors on vehicle not to shut or can come open. Have 2 vehicles with same problem. The other is 2002 Pontiac grand am which has a GM door lock. These door latches on these are the
The handle that opens the door, which was orchased brand new, broke. There was no inner handle from the door. This handle broke at least two times. The consumer stated that the handle was made of lightweight plastic.
The handle on the third door of my 2001 extended cab Chevy S10 broke off. It occurred with normal use. There is no other method in which to open the door. I cannot figure out why it was made of plastic. This is definitely a manufacturing default.
NHTSA investigations
Tailgate support cables
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.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2001 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2001 Chevrolet S10, 7% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is tailgate › latch (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet S10 door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
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.