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)
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I noticed a newspaper article in the Columbus Dispatch detailing the problem with full-size chevy tailgate cables snapping. Guess what?1? The problem isn’t isolated to full-size pickups. A tailgate cable on my 2000 S10 Xtreme snapped this summer. I agree–it’s time for the fine folks at GM to step up to the tailgate issue and resolve it before someone else is loading a stove or refrigerator and has the bottom drop out from underneath their feet.
My 98 s-10 has a broken tailgate cable on one side, and I keep looking at how complex the fix is. The whole bracket at the gate has to be replaced. What a terrible design. I’ll have to cut a two by four to prop up the gate if I’m going to stand on it. First and last Chevrolet truck I’ll ever buy.
Ben
I have a 2000 chev S10 and my tail gate straps our broke
i have a 1999 s 10 with fifty thousand on it and both cables broke in 2003 they were both rusted through. so i hope they recall these also. bought replacements at murray’s auto parts
i have a 99 sonoma and a lil while back the cable snaped outta nowhere i think gm needs 2 look thiz matta over again and recall back alot more then 2000
My 2000 S10 has had both tailgate cables break and the dealer says it is not covered in the March 18 GM recall. What I want to know is why?
The Straps broke on my 2001 S10 as well. Go to http://www.nhtsa.gov and file a complaint. If NHTSA gets enough complaints maybe they will force GM to add the S series trucks to the recall.
Just saw that NHTSA opened an investigation on Nov 22 for 1996-2003 S10 and Sonoma pickups for tailgate cables breaking. So far they have 42 incidents listed. Go to http://www.nhtsa.gov and file a complaint so they have a record, especially if you have an S10 or Sonoma that has had this problem.
I have the same problem with my 2001 S-10 ZR2 tailgate cables breaking. They should be included in the recall. http://www.nhtsa.gov
I have a 97 Chevy full size with the same promlem. and it casts 65 bucks to get it fixed. my next truck won’t be a chevy. I would like to see them go back to the hinge.
I have a 2000 S10 ZR2 and my tailgate straps are broke too!!
I have a 1997 GM truck and one tail gate cable has broken and the other is ready to go. Is there any relief for trucks this old?
I have a 2000 S10 ZR2 and had both tailgate cables break while loading a small ATV. My injuries were minor, and no damage to the ATV but I’m very disgusted that I need to purchase a whole new tailgate now as it has a lot of damage from hitting the rear bumper as it came down, and GM doesn’t feel they have a problem with their S Series cables??
Check this site out concerning the GM tailgate strap problem
http://www.gmtailgatestrap.com/
I was lucky, just opened my tailgate one morning and the cables snappped. Last year on a 2002 chevy HD. I went to the chevy dealer had to buy new ones for about $50.00 .Is the now reinbursible to me from chevy dealer?
I lowered the tailgate on my 2001 Sonoma the other day to remove a few Christmas packages from the back and discovered that both cables were broken in the center. I was shocked to find them both broken. Since they were not under load when they failed, it must be some type of defective or inferior material. I suspect the cause may be stress corrosion cracking from bending when the tailgate is opened and closed. I very seldom put the tailgate down or put much weight on it. The local dealer wanted $86.00 plus labor estimated a $35-$75, to replace both cables. Made no mention of a recall. I’m looking for an alternative solution at this time.
I, also, have had the tailgate cables on my 2000 S-10 fail simultaneously with less than 32,000 miles on the truck. This is not a work vehicle with continual use of the tailgate and I do not allow any heavy loads on it like some of you who transport ATVs. My tailgate was down while I crossed a field and when I got to the other side, both cables were snapped. I have registered my complaint with GM; if any of you have not, please do so!!
It appears to me that there is a definite design flaw in these cables. My cables are coated, stranded copper wire. It is apparent that the folding design causes breakage to occur over time like any bending metal. Thank goodness, my only loss is the cables themselves.
I was driving a 1995 chevy s-10 4X4 and although this is not the first time the “anti-lock brakes just seized on me, i suffered injuries to my back and neck both of which i have had a cervical fusion , and a lumbar decompressive surgery, where i have 6 rods in my back. Supposedly all owners of this particulsr vehicle should be made aware of the anti- lock problem from the 1991 – 1996 models, as part of a 3.5 million vehicle recall. I was so deep into a ditch that the left rear tire was 3 feet in the air. Please check out the autopedia website to see if your vehicle is on the list. There are entirely too many fatalities that can and should be avoided, for you and your childrens sake please check this list. When i told my cousin about this after i returned from the hospital, she ended up selling her 96 Blazer after 1 year because of 3 close calls, one involving a tractor trailer. There was so much exterior damage to the vehichle from sliding, trying to avoid collisions. Anyone with a similar vehicle please contact if i can be of any help to you. From someone who lost a brother to a vehichle accident, there are unavoidable tragedies, but there a certainly avoidable ones, if only the responsible party would inform and follow up with their consumers.Please be careful, and make an informed decision before buying a chevy product. This message comes from someone who has owned nothing but s-10′s since 1992.
I have a 2001 GMC Sonoma and the right cable snaped when I shut the tailgate and it failed to latch and fell back open.I am lucky that it happen then and not when I was loading a dryer a few weeks earlier. Nobody expects to be hurt or killed from a bad design on such an important part on a TRUCK.
I had to replace the tailgate cables on my ’02 GMC Crew cab. I let the tailgate down and one snapped, I checked the other and when I flexed it, it broke also. As always, my truck had just went out of warranty at about 38xxx miles. I went to the dealership and purchased the replacement cables somewhere between 40-50 dollars. A month later I get a recall notice about the defective cables. What ever happened to the old solid metal hinges that were used a few years ago? Never heard much about them giving any problems.
i have had no problem with my truck it’s a 99 S-10 ext cab………i keep everything on my truck oiled hinges and all even the cables on my tailgate….sounds like other people need to do some preventive maintence to there trucks to keep this from happening……the best lubricant is white lithium grease on all hinges and wipe cables off with oil on a rag.
never had a problem with my S-10 yet and i’m the original owner……it only has 33,000 miles on it….it’s a great truck.
troy.
I have a 2000 1500 4×4 in late october 2004 me and my son were loading a lawn mower onto my truck when I had both of the straps break yuo could see that they had rusted from the inside out then in december I heard of a recall from our local newspaper so I went to my local GM dealer and asked them about a recall he said that my vin muber was not on the recall list there something wrong with this !!
I own a 2003 sierra slt and frankly It’s a real joke what gm sells for 60 000$
A real rip off..! I’m just about ready to sue them for all the stress that comes whit their vehicles. I’ve been to the garadge at least a dozen times for obvious problems of a knocking motor… a clonking transmission-very bad clonking whitch they call “back lash”… the vehicle pulls to the left for no reason… when windy a cop would probably think I’m drunk couse it’s all over the road… sometimes it’s like if the transmission is pushing the truck forward as I’m triying to brake…there seems to be a great deal of slack”back lash!!!”for no reason and it’s like if it slips and just slams the gears… as rough as a German tank over minor bums or holes(from one day to another. while using the auto 4×4 there’s deffinite grinding coming from the transfercase and it brakes the wheels enough while turning to make it slow down to a stop as if the brakes were on, it’s on auto so the wheels should’nt be catching as if it be in 4×4 low.. Gm dealers are selling pure crap to custumers at a high price. Do they realy think that they can get second buyers treating people like this…I know that I’m not the only one whit these problems as Gm vehicles are getting to be a little on the sour side of lemon’s. I was brushed off by Gm canada as if they wont do anymore work on my truck cause they cant “dupplicate the problem” What an insult when friends that I let drive notice just about everything in a little ride on the hyw.401. It acctualy feels verry scary to drive when it’s a bit windy…Swerve as if the truck weight was like mabe 500 pds.
Gm told me that it was a normal carecteristic of these trucks! cuz its a “truck” No more gm product for me or anybody that just even sayed that it was a nice truck. The looks are there but she’s a bi_ _ch. (sorry!)
Has anyone had a problem with the fuel injectors leaking? This is the 4th time my 96 s10 has had this problem!
Have had 3 Chevrolet 4X4′s.
Except for fuel pumps($850.00 a pop),waterpumps and manifold gasket leaks, replacement on each at around 70,000, Powertrain no problem.
But the cotton picking cheap accesories they put on these products from China. Dang!Both doors I have to roll windows down to get out, fan switch works on one speed, windshield wipers work only when it isn’t raining, its just sad. And I take care of my trucks!
Have had 3 Chevrolet 4X4′s.
Except for fuel pumps($850.00 a pop),waterpumps and manifold gasket leaks, replacement on each at around 70,000, Powertrain no problem.
But the cotton picking cheap accesories they put on these products from China. Dang!Both doors I have to roll windows down to get out, fan switch works on one speed, windshield wipers work only when it isn’t raining, its just sad. And I take care of my trucks!
I have a 2001 S-10 that is not a work truck and both tailgate cables broke when I was just opening the tailgate, The truck only has 34000 miles on it.
Wow! makes me feel very discouraged about buying my 2003 S10 ZR2 4X4. I hope i dont experience the pain in the ass problems everyone has unfortunately experienced, good luck to all us owners!
I have owned a 2004 sierra since may and find the brakes to be so mushie that they almost go to the floor before they stop. Anyone else having brake problems? I’m afraid to get to close to anyone in traffic in fear of not being able to stop in time.
Driver’s side cable broke on my 2002 ZR2 about two weeks ago @34,000 miles. Other one is also about ready to let go. It appears both rusted from the inside out, beneath the plastic coating.
Would have to agree that the assembly is poorly designed, since replacement appears to overly-complicated. By comparison, the older-style steel flat straps on my ’91 S-10 still work like new.
Only other problems I’ve had with the 2002, are a broken third door latch, driver’s side tail/marker lights quit working (stop/turn signal worked fine) and an unbalanceable BF Goodrich T/A that was replaced.
I had a 2000 s-10.. what a problem child..service engine lite …kept blowing the fuse (7 times)that runs the pollution/emissions pump…Dealer could not correct it…LEMONLAW.. took care of that.. now have a 2001 chevy S-10…i have 60,000 on it now,, doing the same thing blowing fuses…the dealer told me its been a problemm, but no recall!!!I will buy Frord or toyota next time!
I have a 1998 Sierra 3500 and a 2000 Sonoma, both trucks have had the tailgate cables rot and break in half. On the 1998 I am on my second set and today one cable broke.
I have a 1999 s-10 pickup and both tail gate strapes broke and the door latcheS and hinges and lock are really cheap made because you can’t drive down the road in it because you have one hand one stering wheel and holding the door with the other hand so you want fall out when going around a curve.And you have to purchase a whole new door to fix this problem because we took it to a body shop and they said it would cost $600.00 TO BE FIXED. THANKS FOR LETTING US HAVE A COMMENT.
My cables were replaced on my 2001 Silverado Sportside on a recall before I had a problem with them. I have had what I think to be a problem with the anti-lock brakes. I took the truck to my Chey dealer and told them about the left front feeling like it’s trying to kick in during a normal stop. They told me they ran all the necessary tests on the brakes and found nothing. It didn’t do it when they had it for tests. It did it twice today. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Also, they said the howling noise when I put it four wheel drive is natural. How about it? Let me know if you have had these problems. Thanks
I have a 2000 chevy S-10 stepside pickup.Within 1.5 years i have replaced the fuel pump 4 times, at 800.00 a pop.I called chevy and they told me to talk to to my State department. What good is that gonna do? My next truck wont be a chevy, thats for sure.
2003 z-71 what a piece of crap.anybody had left seat front pop&snap leaning back or leaving from stop light?dealer tried to fix this 4 times i guess there hearing is bad.thanks brad stephens posted 2/25/05
2003 z-71 what a piece of crap.anybody had left seat front pop&snap leaning back or leaving from stop light?dealer tried to fix this 4 times i guess there hearing is bad.thanks brad stephens posted 2/25/05
We bought our 2000, chevy 1500 4×4 new. Only complaint is on the ABS. It’s no good when doing 4×4 driving. There are times when you need to slide when breaking. Not being able to could get you over a cliff. This almost happened to us on our first ABS experience. For the highway and wet road conditions,I think it works great. Wonder if ABS could have an option switch installed? Just a thought. Wayne De mann
you guys know why yor trucks keep breaking its because its not a ford
I BOUGHT A 03 Z-71 EXTENDED CAB, THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A QUALITY PRODUCT.FIRST PROBLEM,STEREO JUST DIED,TWO TRIPS BEFORE THEY FIGURED OUT I NEEDED A REPACEMENT, NO PROBLEM.PROBLEM TWO, WEAR ON FRONT TIRE WIH A “THUD” SENSATION AND NOISE FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE, SOLUTION ;$69.00 ALIGNMENT AND LUBRICATION OF A “SEALED” BEARING,LASTED 6 MONTHS, ITS BACK. WENT TO AN INDEPENDANT SHOP THIS TIME WE’LL SEE. ALSO, ON A “I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER” NOTE, WHEN I PURCHASED IT I RECIEVED A VERBAL AGREEMENT FOR DEALER PRICE ON BEDLINER AND A GOOW TOW KIT WHEN I LAYED DOWN $28,000 NOTE FOR THE TRUCK,SUCKER. THREE MONTHS OF PHONE TAG AND UNRETURNED MESSAGES I COUGHED UP $750 FOR THEM. SO, BEFOR YOU SIGN, GET IT IN WRITING, BECAUSE AFTER YOU LAY DOWN THE CASH, THEIR MEMORY GOES BYE-BYE. SHOULDA BOUGHT A FORD.
I have a 2001 Silverado 1500 StepSide that has had the straps fixed and the old ones still seemed fine. HERE IS SOMETHING NEW ABOUT CHEVY TRUCKS…
Over the winter with driving in Canada the roads are covered with snow, salt, and some sand for traction. The StepSide has a plastic box and is held in place with steel rods running from the frame to different locations on the box to hold its shape and keep it from blowing off. Over the winter, ice had built up on one of the support rods under the truck (between the cab and the rear wheel). When it started to warm up this ice that was held in place by the rod started sliding down the rod until it wedged between the inside box and the leaf spring infront of the rear tile (Drivers side). The next bump in the road caused the ice to break out part of the box. My dealer contacted the Dist Service Manager to look it over. Her response was that when dealing with a severe winter you have to get under the truck to wash any ice build up off. When the truck is on the road or in a wash bay you have to lay on your back to see under the truck so you don’t damage other parts while you remove the ice that can rip your truck apart. Just visit your insurance agent to get it fixed, but they said it was a manufacturing defect and it should have some way of preventing this ice from sliding down unless it’s small enough to do no damage. The sales and service dept seem to think its not an idea to crawl under your $45,000 vehicle just to prevent ice problems on a TRUCK but the rep thinks different. GM won’t allow me access to another rep or someone above her to make a decision either. They stick to what she said and at this point have offered to pay 1/3 GM, 1/3 Dealer, and 1/3 my cost to get the problem solved. The dealership doesn’t agree, but have to go with GM’s decision.
I’d like to find others with a broken box due to ice under the truck and see what we can do about this problem as well. Seems unless there are people killed GM doesn’t want to address the problem correctly.
Any phone numbers other than Cust Service or web sites would be great.
Thanks
The repair cost is $1700.00 and now I should only drive in the summer. GM cannot stand the cold icy winters in Canada.
I have a 2000 silverado that the anti-lock brakes would kick in right before the truck comes to a complete stop. You can feel and hear the brakes pulse and sometimes the brake pedal will lock up and you lose the brakes completely. If the brakes pulse this increases your stopping distance several feet. If the pedal locks up take your foot off the brake and hit again. Has anyone else had this problem?
MY TWO TAIL GATE CABLES ARE BOTH BAD. ONE IS ROTTED IN HALF AND THE OTHER ONE IS ALMOST ROTTED IN HALF AND I HAVE A 2001 GMC SONOMA.WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME BEING INCLUDED IN THIS.I ONLY HAVE 30;000 AND IT LOOKS NEW.
I purchased a 2001 1500 HD Silverado about 1 year ago, it now has 91000miles. I have started to have vibration troubles, I have replaced the U joints in the front and rear drive lines, and new tires. Took it to a tire shop and they told me that the front rack and pinion, tie rods, and boots on the front end are shot, said to check into a recall because the front end should not be this bad. I trust the tire guy because he has been a friend of the family for many years. Anyone have any ideas? In addition, there is an air sucking sound when accelerating and decelerating under 25mph, but I cannot find any air leaks anyone have an idea if it could be from the differentials? In addition, has anyone else had troubles with the fender wells welds breaking? The drivers side rear fender well has every weld broken out. Passenger rear fender well is fine so far. Can anyone help or maybe point me in the right direction. Thanks
Regarding Postings for anti-lock brakes engaging when slowing down. — There is a recall on the wheel speed sensor. (January 2005) “Vehicles may have a condition permitting corrosion to occur between the front hub/bearing assembly and the wheel speed sensor. If the brakes are applied while the vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than 6km/h (3.7 mph) but less than 16 km/h (10mph), the corrosion may cause an unwanted anti-lock brake system activation.”
1991 chev. 1500 turn signial switch, is also wiper switch & high beam switch Nothing works. Theres a conection under the hood that you can wiggle and the wipers will work.
the 1995 had a recall. I have the same problem.
Any Ideas ?
AL
I have a 2002 chevy 2500 series Pick up with brake problems. With the engine off, step on the brake pedal it is normal. Start the engine and the pedal goes to the floor, also in any gear selection, however it holds the vehicle even when adding throttle. If the truck is moving the brake pedal is normal and firm until it comes to a complete stop, the it goes to the floor. I can hear winning when the pedal is on the floor (air?) and the steering wheel is difficult to turn when at stop with brake on floor. Release brake and steering is normal. This is a HD anti lock system. The anti lock activates normal however the pedal goes to the floor when complete stop. I deactivated the anti lock and get the same result.
Any ideas?
I have a 1997 1500 chevenny and from time to time the wiper will not come on does any abdy know why
i to have experienced the abs motor failure on my 1999 silverado. motor runs continually until you unplug underneath. lights for abs and brakes will remain lit when ignition in on position. you will not have abs brakes. does anyone know a recall ?
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