Tailgate Hinge Problems of GMC Sonoma - part 1

The support cables for the tailgate on my 2004 GMC Sonoma broke. There is a service bulletin out for this but gm and the dealer both state it doesn't cover my truck. The parts are the exact same parts, same part number and all. Campaign - tailgate cable replacement/warranty extension subject: special policy adjustment - tailgate support cable replacement # 06020a - (09/11/2006) models: 2000-2003 Chevrolet s10 2000-2003 GMC Sonoma the service procedure and labor time in this bulletin have been revised because of feedback received from gm dealership service technicians. Discard all copies of bulletin 06020, issued July 2006. Due to part availability this special policy is being mailed to customers in phases. You will be notified as parts become available and phases are released. To minimize customer inconvenience, encourage customers to have their cables replaced rather than returning for annual inspections. If a customer is concerned that the inspection procedure is not an appropriate way to assure the intended performance of the cables, or is unwilling to perform the required inspection, dealers are instructed to assist the customer by replacing the galvanized support cables with stain less steel support cables. Condition some customers of 2000-2003 Chevrolet s10 and GMC Sonoma vehicles may experience broken galvanized steel tailgate support cables. Special policy adjustment this special policy covers the condition described above for a period of 12 years from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of mileage. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by vehicle service contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after July 21, 2006 are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to July 21, 2006 must be submitted to the service contract provider.

See all problems of the 2004 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.

See all problems of the 2001 GMC Sonoma 🔎.

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.

The contact owns a 1996 GMC Sonoma. The contact stated that the straps that support the tailgate failed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. No repairs were made. The dealer information was unknown. The current mileage was 152,000 and failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 12/12/2007 updated 12/12/07.

See all problems of the 1996 GMC Sonoma 🔎.

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.

Tailgate support cables broken.

See all problems of the 2002 GMC Sonoma 🔎.

Passenger and driver seats in my 2000 GMC Sonoma have seat positioning controls and locking mechanisims that do not always lock properly and/or get jammed up and have broken. A friend was sitting in the passenger seat and it failed to lock into place to keep it from sliding forward. I adjusted the bolts that fasten the seat to the floor of the vehicle to help 'realign' the seat frame so that the mechanism that keeps the seat from siding front and back would keep the seat locked into position once the seating distance is set. Also, the reclining handle on the passenger side broke off, not allowing for seat back support angle adjustment on the passenger side. The driver's side seat back support adjustment lever often 'sticks' or 'locks' into position. . . . Not allowing for seat back rest adjustment. Rear differential sometimes locks up and or slips and shakes and makes noise. . . Especially when sideways force is applied. . . Such as when turning in a curve or circular fashion with the vehicle in motion. Both tailgate support cables broke on the truck. Front driver's side bearing had excess wear and had to be replaced at 65 000 km. Driver's side wiper arm got dislodged from the shaft that turns it and was knocked out of position on 2 occasions. Power steering fails for short intermittent periods when the vehicle is first started from a 'cold' and 'warm' state and the steering becomes stiffer and less responsive. Most noticable at slower vehicle speeds.

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Vehicle is 5 yrs old, not used for work, 2 nd tailgate cable/strap failure due to rusting of cable. No injury due to other side having been replaced 6 mos prior. New cable purchased and installed at owner expense. All parts saved and available because seems to be a material defect.

: the contact stated while standing on the tailgate, both cables fractured. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the tailgate cable; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

: the contact stated the steel tailgate support cables fractured upon opening the tailgate without warning. Although the problem persisted, the vehicle was not seen by a dealer. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04v129000, regarding the tailgate hinge and attachments. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 05/31/06.

See all problems of the 1999 GMC Sonoma 🔎.

: the contact stated the cable that holds the tailgate rusted and the tailgate fractured. There is an NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the structure: body: 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. Updated 05/10/jb.

See all problems of the 1998 GMC Sonoma 🔎.

: 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.

: the contact stated the tailgate suspension cable broke. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the structure body 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. Updated 03/28/06.

While sitting on the tailgate of truck, both tailgate support cables broke. My tailgate has big dents where it came down on the bumper.

I own a 2002 GMC Sonoma pick-up. I had the cables on the tailgate break when climbing into the back of the truck. I have found articles on this subject on the internet from news agencies that say GMC would be sending out a letter to owners of the GMC Sonoma's and s10 that would warn of the problem and offer an inspection of the cables and replacement of the cables. I never received the letter and the dealerships seem to know nothing about it.

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.

My 2000 GMC Sonoma had the tailgate straps brake. When I took it in for repair I was told that although many other GMC trucks were recalled for this same problem that my truck was not included.

: the contact stated when the tailgate was opened the hinges broke. The tailgate came to rest on the bumper of the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the tailgate: hinge and attachments. The vehicle has the same problem as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the model and year. The manufacturer has been contacted. The contact wrote to GMC inquiring why they were only recalling 1999-2000 models. What about other models of GMC trucks that have the same problem like the 19999-2000 Sonoma's.

The tailgate cables broke(rusted through inside plastic covering) causing the gate to drop onto the rear bumper area, causing dents in the gate. I was very fortunate no one or anything was sitting on the tailgate. I feel gm should pay for the replacement of the cables and repair of the tailgate.

: the contact stated the passenger side cable 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. Updated 03/28/06.

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?.

I seldom use the bed of my truck but while climbing up onto the tailgate of the pickup, both support cables broke causing damage to the exterior of the tailgate. I fortunately was not injured. Both cables appear to have rusted through at the center of the cable where the bend is. I removed the ends that clip onto the gate, but the other ends are still attached to it. I have not replaced the cables.

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

On 30 oct. 05, I was preparing to load a motorcycle on the back of my GMC Sonoma. After opening-up the tailgate on my GMC Sonoma, I proceeded to step on the tailgate. Both tailgate cables snapped causing the tailgate to slam down on the bumper causing me to fall to the ground. I was not injured, but was thankful that it broke before and not during the loading of the truck. Both cables snapped exactly in the same spot. Cables showed signs of corrosion inside the cable.

While cleaning the bed of my 2000 Sonoma out the left side tailgate strap failed midway on the cable. Upon inspection of the right hand side I found apparent corrosion in the same location and the potential for failure. If both had failed it could have caused injury, or damage or loss of the tailgate. Appears this is similar to failures and recalls of larger gm pickups recently.

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.

The tailgate restraint cables broke at the same time with a normal weight man stepping on it. Almost caused him to fall to ground.

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.

Consumer complained about tailgate support straps. He owned a GMC Sonoma 2002. On August 4, 2005 consumer let tailgate down and discovered that one of support straps broke , and the other one rusted and was about to break. He thought that was the way the straps were bending when tailgate was locked in the up position. This caused the coating to collapse, allowing the cables to rust.

While climbing up into the bed of my 2000 GMC Sonoma both of the tailgate cables on my truck failed sending me tumbling to the ground. I was not injured but there was damage to my tailgate. There is now a dent that runs the length of my tailgate where it came to rest on my rear bumper. Nothing has been done to correct the problem yet as I am trying to find out if the tailgate cable is covered by the 2004 recall of the same cables that are used in other GMC truck models.