Tailgate Hinge problems of the 2001 GMC Sonoma

The tailgate cables both broke while a friend was sitting on the tailgate causing her to fall. She only weighs approximately 140 lbs. I had noticed that 1 of the cables looked weak prior to the accident, but the other seemed to be stable. Apparently neither of them were any good.

The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sonoma. The steel cables that held the tail gate snapped while the contact was seated on the tail gate. The contact suffered scratches on his arms and elbows. The dealer did not offer an explanation for the failure. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included in NHTSA campaign id number 06v066000 (structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments) for the 2000 GMC sierra. The failure mileage was 53,000 and current mileage was 54,000.

Failure of tailgate cable. The second cable is starting to bulge in middle, just a matter of time before that one goes. My wife and I were sitting on the tailgate when the right one snapped.

: the contact stated while sitting on the tailgate, the cable attachment fractured without warning. There were no injuries. The cable, although encased in plastic, retained moisture and resulted in a rusting of the cable material. The dealer replaced the cable. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the structure. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Owner sat on open pickup truck tailgate and both support cables failed simultaneously causing gate to fall downward until stopped by contact with the rear bumper. Replacement cables were supplied by the manufacturer, but installation labor was not funded. Failed parts are available for inspection.

Failure of tailgate cable. The second cable is starting to bulge in middle.

Tailgate cable corroded and failed.

The tailgate cable on my 2001 GMC Sonoma snapped when I sat on the tailgate while it was in the lowered position. It is obvious that the cable is corroded. GMC will not repair or replace the cables because the vehicle is out of the warranty period and there is no recall on the cables for this model. This is an obvious defect and has created a safety concern on this truck. As of this date the cable has not been repaired. Is there any recourse against gm to force them to repair this problem?.

Both tailgate cables broke on my truck at the same time.

2001 GMC Sonoma, both tail gate cables broke when I stepped up on it to access the bed. The tail gate hit the bumper and was scratched and dented.

Tailgate support cable corroded and broke causing tailgate to drop onto bumper. Normal non-commercial use of my 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup. (I notice the gm has a recall if just this thing for 1999 and 2000 silverado and sierra but the same has happened on my Sonoma. . . Not recall has been established.

: the contact stated the tailgate cables corroded and fractured. The dealer was spoken to verbally and determined the vehicle was not under recall for the tailgate corrosion. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, concerning the tailgate cables. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Loading, unloading, and sitting on the tailgate of a 2001 GMC Sonoma lead to the failure of both of the tailgate cables. Both tailgate cables broke as a result of corrosion to the cables. Severe rust is visible on the cables. The cables snapped simultaneously while sitting on the tailgate of the vehicle, creating minor dents in the tailgate where it contacted the topside of the rear bumper. The tailgate cable and latch assembly are connected as one unit, with one unit on each side of the tailgate. Both units were replaced with new cables/latch assemblies purchased from a GMC dealership shortly after the incident. Both old cables/latch assemblies are still available.

2001 GMC Sonoma end gate / tailgate support cables broke. Both at the same instant in the same location on the cable. This cable should be replaced by manufacturer as a faulty component.

While loading a push mower into truck bed , cables snapped-rusted thru, black vinyl shield hide damage. I slipped off tailgate and cut my leg on side of tailgate while falling.

Tail gate cables rusted through and snapped on my GMC pick-up.

2001 GMC Sonoma tailgate cables popped when loading the truck.

To whom it may concern: I own a 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup truck. After very limited use of my tailgate I experienced a breakage of the cable that supports the tailgate on my truck. It appears to be that the steel cable has rusted inside its protective plastic coating causing the cable to weaken. The ends of these cables have a shrink-wrap material to seal out moisture but it look to have been improperly installed at the factory allowing moisture to enter and rust the cable. I have contacted GMC to no avail and they refuse to recall or fix this problem. Seeing as gm's larger trucks have a recall for the exact same problem I cannot figure out why the s10 / Sonoma pickup trucks are not covered under this recall. The only thing I can speculate is the replacement parts for the Sonoma tailgate cable cost $50 each from the dealer and no one has sued them for injury as of yet or they have settled out of court. This problem needs to be recalled before someone is injured or killed from a tailgate coming detached from the truck in question. Paul daubel here is a thread I started in an s10 truck forum. It shows that many others have experienced the same problem. . Read more...

Tailgate cables broke on my 2001 GMC Sonoma. One person was sitting on tailgate, when second person sat down. Both cables broke and dumped them on the ground.

The cables that holds the tailgate gave way while consumer was on it. The consumer was not hurt when the failure occurred. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was informed that his was a problem that they were aware of. The consumer then contacted the dealer who stated that GMC was issuing a recall an as soon as the replacement cable arrived he could have his replaced. The consumer made an appointment on June 24, 2004. On that date the vehicle was taken to the dealer but was then informed that the replacement was only for the full size trucks not the compact. The consumer contacted the manufacturer again but they refused to provide any assistance. The consumer finally complained to the gentleman who sold him the truck and he bought the consumer one of the two cables with his own money. The consumer currently has one new cable and one homemade cable.

The cable on the left side of the tailgate broke, and the right side of the cable started breaking. This occurred because of the problem described in the tailgate support cable recall 04v129000. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Both tailgate cables broke while the consumer, who weighed 155 lbs, was standing on it. Dealership was notified. The left cable broke on the consumer s-10.

Both tailgate straps broke on my 2001 GMC truck. I also have a 1996 GMC truck and had the same happen with it.