General Motors (NYSE: GM) is recalling model-year 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate’s electronic gate-release switch may short circuit because of water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park, according to the required filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 323,230 pickup trucks are potentially affected by the safety defect.
Only 2500 and 3500 (HD) series vehicles that are equipped with the manual gate with power lock and release (RPO QT5) are affected by this recall. HD series vehicles with other tailgate configurations are not affected, GM said in the filing. GM has also stopped delivery of the vehicles. It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment until the defect is remedied. If the driver does not manually close the gate before beginning a drive, cargo in the bed of the truck may exit the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners are instructed to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge as required by enlightened US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 18 March 2024. Parts are not currently available, but when parts are available, dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies. LS Automotive Tech of Troy Michigan made the defective part – an unsealed tailgate-release switch. Replacement parts use a new material that improves resistance to water intrusion.
Chronology
- GM opened a product investigation into this issue on 21 November 2023 after receiving complaints of unwanted tailgate opening with respect to vehicles incorporating the same unsealed tailgate-release switch. GM’s analysis and testing determined that the tailgate design in the subject vehicles was susceptible to water intrusion in the location of the switch.
- GM’s analysis of potentially-related field incidents, completed on 5 January 2024, identified 136 complaints that alleged an unwanted tailgate opening “while driving. “However, the control logic in the body control module (BCM) would prevent release of the tailgate latch when the vehicle is in gear, even if the BCM receives a release signal from the exterior touchpad switch. Accordingly, these complaints are likely attributable to the tailgate releasing while in Park before beginning a drive.
- The complaints were received by GM between 1 September 2020 and 1 August 2023.
- Among the complaints were one allegation of minor injury and three complaints of minor property damage.
- On 25 January 2024, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall
Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM’s number for this recall is N232426400. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov. about NHTSA Campaign Number 24V060.
Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Pickup Recall for Bad Tailgates
General Motors (NYSE: GM) is recalling model-year 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate’s electronic gate-release switch may short circuit because of water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park, according to the required filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 323,230 pickup trucks are potentially affected by the safety defect.
Only 2500 and 3500 (HD) series vehicles that are equipped with the manual gate with power lock and release (RPO QT5) are affected by this recall. HD series vehicles with other tailgate configurations are not affected, GM said in the filing. GM has also stopped delivery of the vehicles. It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment until the defect is remedied. If the driver does not manually close the gate before beginning a drive, cargo in the bed of the truck may exit the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners are instructed to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge as required by enlightened US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 18 March 2024. Parts are not currently available, but when parts are available, dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies. LS Automotive Tech of Troy Michigan made the defective part – an unsealed tailgate-release switch. Replacement parts use a new material that improves resistance to water intrusion.
Chronology
Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM’s number for this recall is N232426400. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov. about NHTSA Campaign Number 24V060.