General Motors Corp. is recalling 4 million 2000-2004 model-year full-size pickup trucks to replace tailgate support cables that may corrode and fracture.
The recall involves certain 2000-2004 Chevrolet Silverado’s and GMC Sierra’s built between October 1999 and October 2003. Also, some 2002-04 Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT trucks built between March 2001 and October 2003 are being recalled.
There have been reports of 134 minor injuries related to this condition but no crashes or fatalities.
The automaker said due to the large number of vehicles involved in this recall, the replacement cables will not be available immediately, so the notification and repair process will occur in phases. For now GM advises all owners to avoid applying direct loads to the tailgate until the cables can be inspected and, if necessary, replaced.
During the third quarter of this year, GM will begin notifying the first round of owners of the vehicles involved in this recall.
Replacement of the support cables will be performed at no cost to the customers, GM said. If an owner experiences a fracture of the tailgate support cables, the customer should contact the dealer to arrange for service as soon as possible.
(via General Motors)
{ 226 comments }
This problem extends back further than the date mentioned.The production on my sierra p/u is 6-98.its the same body type as the 99 thru 04.Will they cover all vehicles affected or just where they feel it needs to be addresed.I fell from my tailgate when the cable snapped and didnt report it to anyone.My tailgate is damaged and i have recovered from my injuries.Im sure there are others out there who have had this happen making gm’s incident numbers inaccurate.Thanks for listening,John J Breton
I had my cables snap this weekend with only lowering the tailgate. You would think someone would know that they are rusting through and prevent the damage. My truck is a 98 Sierra and the tailgate has only be used 30 or 40 times as my 17 year old drives it to school.
are there any recalls on Avalanche 2002 models? I have a limited edition 1500,Z71.Please forward any faults found,I have 7000 miles left on warranty. JB
I RECIEVED A RECALL FOR MY TAILGATE STRAPS WHICH I LOST. DEALER STATES MY TRUCK DOES NOT APPLY,IF I HAVE RECALL SLIP THEY WILL REPLACE. BOTH STRAPS ARE BROKE AT THIS TIME. TRUCK IS 2oo1 sILVERADO VIN#1GCEK14VOIZ1OO270. MAILING ADDRESS 86 MAPLE ST. HUDSON FALLS N.Y. 12839
Tailgate cable problem extends well beyond years & models stated in GM recall. My 99′ S-10 now has one broken and the other in the process of failing. I contacted dealer and was told my truck is not covered. To add insult to injury to replace cable means you also have to buy the latch bracket as cable is riveted to it, more money for poor design.
I had the cables break on my 2003 2500 HD 7-23-04.I had my new 4Wheller on the back. The tailgate came completely off and dumped my 4wheeler in the middle of the highway.Toataly destroyed!! The dealer would not offer any assistance other than get into the GM claims process. What if this would of have occoured on the interstate? I am pissed and will not let the squeek out of this one. Take pics and document.
2001 Sanoma. Tailgate strap broke while unloading motorcycle. Fortunatley not injured (me nor the bike, caught it prior to going down).
Their comment: “We have documented this conversation and if your vehicle is added to the recall we will reimburse you the money you spend on it now to fix it, if you keep your reciept.”
Customer appreciation there…
I own a 99 S-10 my tailgate cables snapped as well. I have been a die hard chevy man as long as i can remember if chevy doesnt fix the problem they will have lost a customer.
Everyone that has this problem needs to call GM at 800-222-1020 if we all call and complain they will have no choice but to fix our trucks . They need to include 98up S10 and sonomas as wll thanks all
i have a 2001 silverrado company truck that has 33,000 miles and uses two quarts of oil every 3000 miles. i know the 1999,s had a recall on the pvc valve. i just wonder if that recall would apply to this truck?
I am on the phone with GM at this moment regarding my 2000 S-10 and the tailgate strap fracturing. They are saying at this point that there is no recall. I move on to the next level persisting in my argument. They now tell me that I must get a diagnosis from a GM dealership. Let’s do it. Appt for 9:00 AM Fri. Morn. No charge for diagnosis. More to follow.
They say there’s only been 134 minor injuries with no fatalities, that’s no longer true. On August 21, 2004 a Phillipsburg, Ohio man was killed when both cables broke on a Chevy Truck tailgate and he suffered a fatal head injury and another man suffered minor injuries. Let the records be corrected, this is a serious problem that the auto manufacturers need to address immediately before another fatality happens!
09-09-04 The tailgate cables on my 2001 S10 Crew Cab both snapped at the same time with just lowering down and little weight applied. I am glad i was not loading or unloading anything Does anyone have any current info on if the S10 is covered in the recall as of Sept?
One of my tailgate cables broke on my 2001 2500 HD Crew Cab this weekend. Took the truck to the dealer and they said my truck was not covered under the recall. When the cable snapped, the tailgate twisted and damaged the hinge where the gate and truck attach. At first, they said that it would be covered, but after running the VIN, they said it would not be covered and I would have to pay for it. Why is this not covered for my truck??
My girlfriend and I where sitting on my tailgate of my 2000 Chevy S-10 when BOTH my tailgate cables snapped at the same time, and we slid to the ground. How we didn’t receive any injuries is beyond me, but my tailgate is dented now from the bumper. If GM ever decides to add the S-10 to it’s list of faulty cables on their trucks built “like a rock”, will they also , repair/replace the things the break caused, in my case, the tailgate?
I own an older 1995 Chevy S-10 Pickup And mine snapped A Year after I bought It in 1996. I can see that their only covering newer vehicles. I just want to point out that it just does not happen to the newer vehicles.
I have a broken tailgate cable on my 2000 Chevy S10. I can’t believe you have to buy the entire mechanism to replace a broken cable.
I just purchased my 2001 3/4 ton Siverado a month and a half ago. While loading some small items from a feed store for my girlfriends horse, the young man doing the loading stepped from my utility trailer to my truck tailgate and that was all it took for both straps too break. This young man was only 160 pounds soaking wet. My concern is that the straps might get covered by GM but what about the damage to my tailgate from slamming the bumper? I hope to see that GM will cover this for the people that have this damage.
My nephew lost his life on Mother’s Day 2004 after the cables snapped while he was sitting on the tailgate of a chevy pickup. He was leaning back taking a drink when the cables broke, the tailgate dropped, he hit the back of his head on the truck. As far as I am concerned G.M. is responsible for his death. He was not the first and the firefighter in Ohio will not be the last. What is it going to take for G.M. to step up to the plate and actually do something ?
I own a 1998 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup and both of my tailgate cables snapped at the same time (the summer of 2003) while I was standing on the tailgate, it was quite a jolt sending me to the ground and pushing my right wrist in the dirt,my wrist was sore for a couple of days, but it could have been worse.
I have a 99 silverado and also a 95 S10 that have the rotted tailgate cable problem they need replaced.
I own a 2001 Chevy S-10. I bought it used and 3 days after i bought the truck i was loading my four wheeler in and the cables snapped and cracked the paint on my tailgate and put dents in it.
I own a MY2000 S-10 Extended Cab, garage kept. The left side cable snapped as I was lowering the tailgate. Upon further investigation, the cable appeared to have rusted completely through. I’m sure the right side is next. Unfortunately, the S-10 is not covered under the current recall. The design of the part requires the purchase of the cable & LATCH, driving the replacement part cost up over the $50 mark for one side…come on Big Daddy GM, own up to the defect!
I bought a used 2000 S10 Pickup. After the purcahse I found out the cable from the tail gate have been recalled. My tail gate cables were snapped when I bought the truck. I can’t find just the cables anywhere so I can replace them.
I lost the tip of my finger when the tailgate cable of a silverado snaped. Where is the class action lawsuit?
I am an attorney in Akron, OH and I represent the family of a man that died and another man who suffered a serious brain injury as a result of the breaking of the sraps on a 2003 Sierra. Any information anyone would have regarding the straps would be greatly appreciated.
Own a 2001 S-10 truck. Over the weekend one tailgate cable broke while my wife was sitting on it playing with our grandson. Neither hurt but this is starting to sound like a common problem with Chevy trucks. The break is in the middle of the cable, underneath the plastic coatiing. If there is a recall for the full size, why not for the “S” series?
I have a 1988 Chev S10. My tailgate cables broke in 1993, Local chev dealer said there would be a recall, but not yet. Also my windshield wiper circuit board also went bad. I replace for 107 dollars. Was told there will be a recall later. Hope GM lets us now when there is a recall. Oct 2004
I have a 2001 Chevy S-10. On Oct 17, 2004 the passenger side tailgate cable broke. Since I was just letting the gate down no other damage occurred. One of the auto parts store sold me a replacement cable that now has to be returned because it can’t be fixed in that method. Help recall safety bulletins anyway we can get them to pay for it
I HAVE A 95 MODEL S-10 THAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND CABLES AND BRADS TO FIX THE CABLES BACK LIKE THEY WERE. I BOUGHT THE CABLES ON-LINE BUT NOONE CARRIES THE BRADS. THIS IS BEGINNING TO BE A PAIN IN THE ASS. I WOULD LIKE TO HERE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS. OBVIOUSLY SAFETY IS NOT A BIG CONCERN OF CHEVEROLET, MAYBE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IS IN ORDER. IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 910-876-2417.
I bought a 2000 S10 ZR2 in January 2004 and both tailgate cables are broken.
My name is Jeff Woolf and my father is the former firechief/firefighter that was killed by the faulty tailgate straps supplied on GM trucks. PLEASE take notice and pass the word NOT to use the tailgates for anything but opening and closing them until they can be fixed properly. I am so angered that GM did not step up and do a better job at notifing the public of this hazard before people die. I miss my dad sorely but only the anger towards GM fuels my need to get the word out about this debacle of informing the public of a severe and fatal hazard. The truck he was on was only 6 months old and the owner also did not receive any type of notification about the problem. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandpa citizen of the community and business owner that was robbed of a full life. I feel cheated as I feel we would have had many more years to spend together. Please be careful until you get the problem rectified as I do not want any other family or person to go through what my family and myself have from this unexpected and totally avoidable accident.
Here’ an article on DAD.
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=39&id=34712
Feel free to e-mail if you would like at Jeff_woolf@yahoo.com or jwoolfman@msn.com
After posting that my 2001 S-10 tailgate cable broke, I also emailed Chevy and various dealers. All dealers could do was price a repair at about $150- Chevy contacted me and said that for good customer relations that they will remburse me for the repair if I provide them with proof of repair and payment.
I own a 1999 Chevy S-10 that I bought new. First it was the fuel gage that broke; then the door hinges started to weaken; and now both of my tailgate straps broke tonight while moving a washing machine. I’m afraid that Chevy’s advertisement “Like a Rock” might be better as “Like a Clunk”.
I have a 2000 S10. Both straps broke simutanously at the same time I was pulling a deer up onto the bed. Talk about back breaking. What does engineering think is going to be going into the back of these trucks? Feathers!!! I mean com’n people, they are trucks. Lets build them like a truck, not a tinker toy. How about some sort of folding bracket that can’t break unless its hit by a tank or something.I have one question, does this recall cover the S10? I don’t see any documentation on the S10. Only Silverados and Sierras.
This problem occurs in more trucks than what the recent recall indicates. My ’97 Chevy Silverado had both tailgate cables rust through and break at the same time causing the tailgate to slam into the bumper. I’m glad I wasn’t standing on it!
It seems that the problems are much more significant. i am preparing an email for Chevy. My 2000 Silverado, which spends much of its time in my garage or on my concrete drivway, has significant deterioration problems such as the one with the tailgate cables. The dist covers on my rear brakes have rusted through, and there is signifiant rust underneath.
I contact my local parts dealer (GM dealership) and was told that these items are on back order! Give me a break. It appears that I may need backing plates as well. CHEAP STEEL!
I have a 2002 avalanche 1500 and both sides cables broke at the same time ,but that is nothing compared to the problems that i’m having with the air conditioning sistem since i bought it and the humming noise coming from rear end @ 50 mph sustained and the water leak betwin back seat and cargo area
My son has a 2002 Avalanche 2500. It cuts out while driving, and there are times when it will not start. Anyone else out there have this problem. He has spent a lot of money trying to figure out the problem.
My cables broke too.
I bought the truck new in 1999.
My cables broke just after warranty ran out.
Also my seat adjustments 3rd time.
and the 3rd door latch 2nd time.
I’ll be buying another Chevy..right.
Both of my tailgate cables snapped lowering the gate on my Chev S-10, 1997 truck. The trouble is more widespread than GM will admit. The cable design is terrible, in that it requires replacement of the complete latch assembly also.
I just encountered the same failure on my 97 Chevrolet Z71 (K1500) pickup. Both of the tailgate cables snapped when the tailgate was lowered. The tailgate hasn’t been used that much. Since the cables are covered with black plastic you can’t see if they are deteriorated. I would guess the bending of the cable weakens them while moisture causes them to rust inside the covering. What happened to the old toggle link system? Sounds like the problem goes back further than Chevrolet and GM want to admit. Luckily I wasn’t on or under the tailgate when the cables broke.
Leonard Skach – Oklahoma
I have a 2001 Chevy S-10. On October 4th, 2004 I had my left tailgate cable break as I got in the back of my truck. I thought maybe I had damaged it in some way before, but the next week (On October 10th) the right cable broke. I called to see if there had been any other reports to my local dealer and they said they had not recieved any other calls. I started calling friends and family that have S-10′s and I found 12 others who had a cable or two break also. I called the dealer back and I was told they would all have to report it on an individual basis. Most of us have reported it to our local dealers and I am still waiting on a recall notice! If they know they had a problem with the full-size trucks and they have had some complaints about the S-10 models why is it taking so long for a recall to be issued! I would sure hate to have a problem with my truck that could possibly be unsafe because it may be too late by the time GM would issue a recall. That’s how this great nation works- Wait until someone dies before we fix the problem and then play dumb. I am a volunteer firefighter, I have seen this happen many times!! I hope someone from GM reads this and sees the “BIG Picture” I am trying to paint!
Thank You for your time and please contact your local dealer so we can get their expensive (for us, not them) mistake fixed!!!!!!! Toby
we have a 1996 s10 our straps broke a couple of weeks ago. they need to deal with this issue and not avoid it.looks to me as though they would take care of the problem even on the older vehicles. think i will email them daily maybe they will get the point
We also have had both our tail gate straps break on our 1999 Chevy 1500 4×4, while unloading from the truck bed, also, we almost ran in to a convienent store, when the brakes failed to stop us, we were lucky they had cement parking stoppers. It’s hard to believe, The price of all trucks are more than we bought our house for, and our house has less problems, and houses increase in value almost yearly and vehicles decrease in value as soon as the papers are signed! HUMMMMMM?
We have only owned this 1999 and DID NOT carry over any payments from our previous owned vehicle and we are finding that we are about $5000.00 difference in trade in value already. Somethings wrong here!
I have a 2002 2500HD Silverado. On a sunny summer day, a friend and I were sitting on the tailgate at the Cape Cod Canal when both cables broke sending us to the pavement. I had no idea that there had been a recall on this and that our lives were in danger. Aside from bruises and cut limbs, I am so angry that I was not made aware of this horrible situation. I actually thought that someone had sabotaged my vehicle and was trying to hurt me. I decided today to check the web for any information on faulty tailgate cables and low and behold, I have found this……..Where is the justice!!!! How many people’s lives need to be in danger before the public is notified of the RECALL? Someone please do something!!!! Thanks, RAF
We own a 2000 sierra. We received the recell notification, but each time we went into the dealership to have the neccessary repairs, the service manager told us to check back some other time. Then, about two months ago while driving with the tailgate down due to a slightly overhanging piece of cargo (that was NOT placing any pressure on the tailgate), our tailgate just fell off never to be seen again. GM canada contacts have been unhelpful and patronizing at best, claiming there is nothing they can do.
I notice that many of you listed here are asking for someone to do something about this. We got lucky – we weren’t injured, but many of you out there were. We ALL need to do something. Class action comes to mind. I’m going to do some research into this and post back soon.
DON’T take no for an answer. GMC has shown extreme negligence. I’m going to start by contact every person listed at the following link: http://www.pistonslap.com/gmcontacts.htm and then probably my lawyer. If anyone has any advise, please post or email. My condolances go out to all injured.
Same trouble. I have a 96 S-10 and my girlfriend has a 2000 S-10. Both trucks have one broken cable. I bought replacement cables from an auto parts store but they won’t work. This is really a poor design. Tailgate cables should be able to be replaced by my 9 year old in about 5 minutes. They should be ashamed that their design requires disassembly of the latch assembly and replacement of the entire bracket that the cable is rivited to.
I am having the same problems with my s-10 I haven’t seen any recalls for this as well which is total b.s. I will remember this when buying my next truck. I bought the replacement cables but they are a pain. I went to Gordon Chevy Dealership in Orange Park, FL and they were total jerks in the service department when I asked them if I could borrow a tool to get my cables off they wanted to stick me with paying the service guys to look at it. They acted as if this tailgate problem was normal.
Also my heat in my 2000 s-10 has failed conviently right after 36,000 miles and I have been without heat for about two years now. I don’t feel like tearing apart my dash to fix this problem. Boo Hoo Chevy for your consumer neject.
This is the second time both cables have broken on my 2500 4×4 since purchased in 1999. Wondering if I’ll be included in the recall for the stainless steel cables?
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