Tailgate cable broke. It appears to be rusted although undetectable through plastic covering. How can I trust the integrity of the cable to know when to replace it?

- Joppa, MD, USA

Tailgate cable broke while sitting on the tailgate (parked).

- Birmingham, AL, USA

1) tail gate cable broke on my '01 S-10 pick up have not replaced the part yet, the other side is supporting by itself currently 2) at 80000 miles in Jan. Of this year the motor had to be replaced at a cost of $1000. It was a used motor. It was knocking, missing and running rough. Pieces of bearing were in the engine oil.

- Elkhorn, WI, USA

2001 Chevy S-10 ext. Cab 4X4 P/U truck. Cable holding up tailgate rusted through, leading to an unsafe tailgate on my pick-up truck. Nothing was done to correct it.

- Celebration, FL, USA

The straps that hold the tail gate in position broke that hold the tailgate in a level position. One broke first and I called GM to see if there was a recall on my truck and was informed no they were thinking about extending it. My son was almost hurt when this happened.

- Morrisdale, PA, USA

1. no special events leading to failure 2. both tailgate cables rusted, broke in half while lowering gate, minor bruising to driver and scratches on tailgate finish. 3. cables apparently cannot be replaced, attachment to tailgate latch assembly seems to be permanent.

- Felicity, OH, USA

We were loading a couch onto the bed of the truck when both tailgate cables broke causing my tailgate to rest on the rear bumper. Caused a slight crease / mark on the tailgate. Both cables appear to be rusted and broke in the same location.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

Pickup truck tailgate support cable failure. 1/4 inch cable supports tailgate when lowered. Cable collects water under the vinyl coating and rusts through, resulting in tailgate to fall. Rust is not detectable under plastic coating. Cable rust through is at the center portion, the lowest part when the gate is up.

- Tamaqua, PA, USA

When my son went to open the rear tailgate of my 2001 S-10 crewcab, both tailgate cables broke at the same time. We were fortunate that he wasn't on the tailgate as he could have easily been injured and damage could have occurred to the tailgate. I didn't realize this might be a problem until after mine broke and I started to do a little research on the internet. It appears this is happening to a lot of S-10 pickup owners. I am currently in the process of getting parts to replace the cables.

- Auburn, WA, USA

Both tail gate cables broke at approximately same date. No excessive weight was placed on tailgate. The cables broke when tailgate was lowered.

- Fulton, KY, USA

: the contact stated the right side safety straps on the tailgate has been replaced in the past. Due to corrosion and breakage, the vehicle is now having the same type of problems with the tail gate. The straps need to be replaced again. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V129000 concerning the tailgate: Hinge: Attachments. However the vehicle is not included in the recall due to the make and model. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 03/28/06.

- Sturgis, KY, USA

: the contact stated the cables broke while attempting to open the tailgate. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06V066000, regarding the tailgate: Hinge and attachments. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. No repairs have been made.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

I was standing on the tailgate of my 2001 Chevy S10 ZR2 when both the support cables snapped at the same time, sending me falling to the ground. There was no load on the tailgate other than my 195 lbs. There is no excuse for this to have happened on a truck of this year. This could result in serious persona injury for someone with a load on the tailgate.

- Brewster, NY, USA

Tailgate cables have broken. Tailgate cables secure the tailgate in position when tailgate is lowered, however, these have deteriorated and broke, allowing the tailgate to fall onto the bumper.

- Columbiana, OH, USA

: the contact stated there was NHTSA recall campaign 04V129000 regarding the tailgate cable. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to the model of the vehicle. Updated 1/25/2006. The consumer contacted the manufacturer who claimed that the tailgate cable in his vehicle was not the same as the ones that were recalled.

- Portage, IN, USA

Both tail gate cables on 2001 Chevy S-10 snapped, dropping tailgate onto bumber.

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

The tailgate cables on my S-10 pickup truck snapped in two att he same causing the tailgate to pinch my hand. Upon inspection it appears that the sheathing was breached and the cables have corroded that are inside the sheathing.

- Marysville, OH, USA

Both tailgate cables broke. The driver's side was found broken, which broke at some unknown time. The passenger side failed while I was sitting on the tail gate. I use this truck for occasional hauling of materials and these could have failed while under load.

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

2001 Chevy S-10 pickup truck: The right side tail gate cable just snapped after I lowered the tail gate. No heavy loads were on the gate at the time. I looked at the cable and it had rusted inside the plastic covering. It looks like the plastic cover holds water inside and causes the corrosion. I called a Chevy dealer and was told they would not replace it, but I found a recall on other Chevy trucks with the same problem.

- Brooks, KY, USA

Broken tailgate cable.

- Greenwood, IN, USA