Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet S10. The contact stated that the lower hinge pin on the passenger side door continued working its way upward which caused the door to rattle abnormally. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer in regards to the issue. In addition, the contact stated that the plastic rear door handle continued to fracture from the vehicle. The door handle was replaced with the same type of plastic door handle. The contact was concerned because there was not a metal replacement handle available and believed the plastic would only continue to fracture. The failure mileage was 64,720 and the current mileage was 84,780.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet s-10. The contact stated that the plastic interior rear driver side door handle fractured numerous times. The contact has taken the vehicle to the dealer eight times to have the handle replaced yet the failure would recur immediately after repairs. The contact stated there were numerous complaints online regarding the failure for the year, make and model. The failure mileage was 90,000.
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. …
I purchased this vehicle in new form from gallucci Chevrolet in medina, oh. While still under warranty, the third door handle used to open the rear third door broke approximately three times. While still under warranty, I took it in the dealership to have it repaired on each occasion. When the vehicle ran out of warranty, the third door handle again broke, and to date has not been repaired due to cost. This incident apparently is widely known to be a problem with Chevy, as the mechanics told me this is common in my vehicle, and upon speaking with others with the same vehicle, nearly every one has had the door handle break. This prohibits a third passenger from entering or exiting the vehicle or for me to open the back seat for groceries, etc.
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.
I own a 2000 s-10 Chevrolet pickup with around 39,000 miles. Both tailgate straps snapped simultaneously as I crossed a field with the tailgate in the open position. This is not a company vehicle where the tailgate is operated everyday. I do not allow heavy loads on the tailgate itself like loading or unloading an atv. It appears to me that there is a definite design flaw in this cabling. When the tailgate is closed, the coated, stranded copper wire that makes up the cable is folded back against itself. Any opening and closing causes normal, bending metal fatigue. In looking at my failed cables, it is apparent that all of the strands except for approximately ten, had failed prior to the final cable failure. Thankfully, no one was injured on my truck's cable failure; however, it is not uncommon for people to carry others working afield on the tailgate. …
This vehicle has light metal latches on the seat backs and extended cab door. These latches broke, causing the third door to swing open and the seats to wobble. The back of the driver and passenger seats could not be adjusted without these latches. The dealer has examined the vehicle three times, attempting to repair the problem. This type of vehicle only had an extended cab door behind the driver's seat. The dealer repaired the drivers seat. The passenger seat adjustment had broken within the first week of the drivers side repair.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet S10 years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (22), 2001 (21), 2002 (21), 2000 (14) and 2003 (11) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet S10 door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (53 mentions), followed by the tailgate › latch (28).
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.