Tailgate Latch problems of the 2000 Chevrolet S10

Tailgate support cables on 2000 chevy s-10 broke while sitting on tailgate. I only weigh 180 lbs and they both broke.

1. Moving a television, placed into bed of chevy S10 pickup. 2. Tailgate support cables (both sides) snapped, rusted through appx middle of cables. Person resting on tailgate fell off end of truck. Slight denting of tailgate as it fell past horizontal and pressed into bumper. 3. Spoke with local dealership. They indicated other trucks on recall, not S10. Have purchased new set of cable assemblies (left and right side, can not replace just cable, as they are integrated on the latch). Have digital photos to show failed cables. Have old parts. Am trying to figure out how to remove latch bar to remove cable assemblies from tailgate at this time (3-12-05).

I was crawling into the back of my 2000 sonoma highrider via the tailgate when the cables broke jaring my back.

Consumer complained about a tailgate problem. The cables that hold the tailgate in the down position snapped. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was informed that there was no recall for this defect. Also, consumer provided the VIN for confirmation, but again was told that it did not apply to the vehicle in question.

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. Also, trucks are used quite often for loading materials or equipment that applies some load to this area. Either of these could result in someone's death or injury and I have found instances of both on-line. There is currently a recall on some of gm's larger trucks, but not all. Additionally, I have talked with my dealership and a gm representative and have been informed that the recall has not been extended to chevy's smaller trucks. This item needs some attention before someone else is injured or killed!!.