GM recalls 132,000 tailgate trucks that fail to do one job

The tailgate of a pickup truck serves two purposes at its purest: to provide easy access to the bed and to store items in the bed. The automotive industry has turned away from this lighthowever, insisting that the back door should do a lot more. Nowadays, it looks like they have to open more than one side (and up to six), while providing a built-in stage and even speakers for the NFL pregame. I wish the car companies would repeat after me, “That’s not it, boss.”

Alas, the wheel keeps reinventing while the fundamentals suffer. General Motors Company is recalling approximately 132,037 pickup trucks with tailgates that open unexpectedly.

The question exists precisely on Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 models as well GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks with manual tailgate and power locks. Documents of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the problem is said to be the assembly’s electronic shutter switch, which is vulnerable to water ingress. If too much moisture gets inside, it will short out and cause the tailgate to fall on its own.

While this isn’t ideal, it’s unlikely to be much of a problem. There are a few instances where I suppose it could be, like when you’re hauling a heavy load of masonry up a hill, or when you have a tarp stretched over your bed so you can fill it with water to heat a mobile bath. Actually, you know what? Maybe that’s how they found the problem. This makes the guy wonder.

The fix is ​​easy and free, as Chevy and GMC dealers will replace the outer touch panel switch assemblies. Owners are instructed to make sure the tailgate is latched before driving. GM says it has received 237 complaints about the problem while driving, at least one of which fell on a trailer, though it’s likely the switches tripped while parked before leaving. Chevrolet and GMC models built after March 8, 2024 are believed to be unaffected because GM changed the sealing process for the touchpad switches at that time, according to NHTSA documents.

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