2014 Sierra Denali Tailgate isn't even?

fenster88 · December 12, 2013

Finally picked up my new Denali tonight and noticed after I got home that the tailgate isn't flush with the bed on top. I checked and it's the tailgate itself, not the cap. It's perfectly flush on the passenger side but the tailgate is about 1/4 inch higher than the bed on the driver side. Of course I immediately starting thinking of all the horrible things that could be wrong to cause this problem. I'm assuming it just needs to be adjusted? I'm taking it back to make the dealership fix it, but I would sleep better tonight knowing it's an easily solvable problem and not a lemon in the making!

Fenster88

Chris · December 12, 2013

Could be the bed, could be the tail gate, could be the hinge or latch. Could be a number of things. Your truck is brand new and things happen. It could be fixed so relax and see what the dealer says

mzodarg · December 12, 2013

Could be the bed, could be the tail gate, could be the hinge or latch. Could be a number of things. Your truck is brand new and things happen. It could be fixed so relax and see what the dealer says

Well said!

Mike

CorvetteOJ · December 12, 2013

I agree with Mike and the others, there's numerous fixes possible for that issue. Don't worry until there is somehting to worrry about. Either way, good luck with the results, it's probably a 10 minute adjustment.

fenster88 · December 12, 2013

Dealer can't fix it. They took pics to send to their gm rep to determine how to proceed. We'll see how this pans out.

amxguy1970 · December 13, 2013

Lemon in the making over a slightly misaligned tailgate? Your first few posts here have complaints It will either A) get fixed or B) isn't a big deal, it's not a door that is letting in air sounds or water. Our 2012 has a slightly larger gap on one side than the other on the tailgate and the gap under the headlight and bumper is slightly larger on one side than the other, no big deal. It's a truck and will have other imperfections as the time comes. Sounds like you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Tyler

ASW · December 13, 2013

....OR it COULD have BEEN made RIGHT from the get-go. C'mon guys, he bought the top of the line car, this shouldn't have happened - period...and that's something that could have been fixed during the final inspection they run.

bladz1454 · December 13, 2013

....OR it COULD have BEEN made RIGHT from the get-go. C'mon guys, he bought the top of the line car, this shouldn't have happened - period...and that's something that could have been fixed during the final inspection they run.

Seriously guys, 60k for a body line defect would piss me off too.

electricchiken7 · December 13, 2013

Unacceptable!... No way I would pay that much and look at that Every morning I got in it!!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

ASW · December 13, 2013

Take that shit back and raise hell! I would not settle for that no matter what. Imagine looking at that every single time you open / close the tail gate. It would drive me bat-shit insane

pm26 · December 14, 2013

Finally picked up my new Denali tonight and noticed after I got home that the tailgate isn't flush with the bed on top. I checked and it's the tailgate itself, not the cap. It's perfectly flush on the passenger side but the tailgate is about 1/4 inch higher than the bed on the driver side. Of course I immediately starting thinking of all the horrible things that could be wrong to cause this problem. I'm assuming it just needs to be adjusted? I'm taking it back to make the dealership fix it, but I would sleep better tonight knowing it's an easily solvable problem and not a lemon in the making!

Fenster88

For the tailgate to be properly aligned, you should have ordered the "tailgate appearance package" for $ 450.

Chris · December 14, 2013

Salt in the wound man... but it shouldn't have passed PDI like that

pm26 · December 14, 2013

I doubt that the PDI inspection includes realignment of body panels, such as doors or tailgate. In the past I have seen quite a few brand new GM cars and trucks on lots with uneven gaps between front fenders and doors, some with as much as 1/4 inch difference between gaps. It really looks crappy when you have 1/4" gap on one side and 1/2" gap on the other side. It speaks volumes about quality control that isn't.

Chris · December 15, 2013

PDI is an inspection which should be pass/fail

fenster88 · December 15, 2013

I took the truck back to the dealer the day after I took delivery. They tried to adjust the tailgate but couldn't adjust it in that direction. They started talking about breaking a weld on the bed and welding something back in place and I about had a stroke. They contacted their GM rep and are trying to figure out what to do next, possibly starting with a different tailgate. I had to put my spray-on bedliner and cover installation on hold until this is resolved.

It is truly a small issue overall, but frustrating since it was such an obvious flaw. I certainly don't expect a new vehicle to be perfect, but when you notice a problem on a vehicle from 15 feet away the first time you walk up to it, it sure seems like someone should have caught it and dealt with it rather than pushing the problem off on me and the dealer. Am I complaining about it? Your damn right I am, I expect better quality control and service for a $50,000+ vehicle. Especially since the delivery was delayed supposedly for a random full inspection once it reached my state. Some inspection!

All that said, it is an awesome truck. It's amazing just how much things have progressed since my 1998 Silverado. I've waited my whole life to own a brand new truck and I'm sure I'll be very happy once I get past this tailgate nonsense.