Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that the lift gate collapsed abnormally. The contact stated that the cables were fractured and caused the lift gate to strike the bumpers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 75,000.
2004 Chevrolet s-10 crew cab truck tailgate cables failed. The cables each broke in the center causing the tailgate to drop against the rear bumper. Contacted Chevy about their special policy 06020 to replace the known defect, but it only covers 2000-2003. However, 2004 uses the same cables. I will have to pay the dealer to replace the cables.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10 with an odometer reading of 15800 miles. The contact started having problems with the vehicle at 1100 miles when the brakes began to make loud noises. In August o 2003 the contact took the vehicle to don hall Chevrolet of ashland kentucky, and the service personnel determined that the brake pads were not compatible with the factory rotors, thus causing the brakes to make a v loud noise. The rotors were turned and new brake pads were installed. Three days later the noise continued. A mechanic installed wagner brake pads. The manufacturer's pads installed at the dealer were not as efficient. At 11, 000 miles the brake pedal rattled when driving over speed bumps. The service personnel at mcfarland murray chevorlet dealership of grayson kentucky removed the dashborad, and replaced the bushing on the brake pedal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position corroded, and then fractured. He contacted the dealer in reference to NHTSA action number rq04012(structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device ). He has been informed that the vehicle was not eligible for a free remedy because the 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 characteristics are less demanding than c/k model vehicles. He was in the process of having the vehicle repaired. …
2002 Chevy S10 ls crew cab the door strikers caved into the frame on both sides drivers side and passenger side.this happened with in one day of each other. On photographed inspection the steel had ripped in the shape of the clip behind the door strikers an obvious engineering flaw in design,I took it to the dealer who acknowledged the obvious design flaw launched a complaint with photos he took as well. Chevy said the truck was to old, evidently the doors can fall off your truck in 8 years and Chevy does not care. I had to weld the steel my self since the doors would not shut. Chevy will be hit with a class action lawsuit eventually when someone falls out of their crappy truck. Unlike Toyota who is taking care of their customers Chevy will just give you the middle finger. …
The door opened fine all day and all of a sudden when I went to open the door it opened only 2 inches. It appears that the front right fender panel has slid back towards the door approx. 1/2 inch and that is what's blocking the door. Upon further inspection the hinge is slightly bent. Dealer is trying to say that the door was sprung. Witnesses that I have including 2 police officers can state that this did not happen. They can state that the door opened fine the first 2 times and then not at all later. Body shop mechanic slid something inside the door hinge and popped it open resulting in the paint on the hinge to be scraped off. This should have been a warranty issue but the dealer refuses to fix it without payment. I feel since this did not happen by cause or fault of me nor was this vehicle hit on the driver side, that it is a defect and needs to be investigated. …
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! …
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet S10 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (93), 2001 (75), 2002 (73), 1998 (39) and 2003 (30) model years. Body complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Chevrolet S10 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet S10 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (209 mentions), followed by the body (38).
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.