Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments (18.3% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments | 39 · 18.3% | Investigation closed | RQ04012 |
| Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 10 · 4.7% | Investigation closed | EA05008 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 8 · 3.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 8 · 3.8% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 7 · 3.3% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 7 · 3.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 213 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 06E060000 · 2006 · reported 06/29/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I WAS LOADING A STORAGE TRUNK ONTO THE BED OF MY 2002 S10 WHEN BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES SNAPPED AND DROPPED THE TRUNK OFF OF…”NHTSA complaint 10168801 — filed 09/20/2006 · STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
“TAILGATE CABLE BROKE WITH LESS THAN 75 LBS (MY 7YR OLD DAUGHTER) SITTING ON TAILGATE. CABLES APPEARED TO BE CORRODED DUE TO A COATING ON…”NHTSA complaint 10167734 — filed 09/09/2006 · STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
“2002 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP TRUCK. 37,179 MILES ON VEHICLE. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BROKE WITH ONE PERSON SITTING ON THE TAILGATE. PLASTIC COATING RIPPED AWAY REVEALING…”NHTSA complaint 10161629 — filed 07/06/2006 · STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments issues are the most-reported category, cited in 39 of 213 NHTSA complaints (18.3%), followed by latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (10), power train:automatic transmission (8), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
213 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E060000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
