Tailgate spontaneously opening

Pryme · August 23, 2023

19 minutes ago, 4x4Hank said:

Well the good news is that they didn’t have to order a switch, they had one. They claim to have tested the wiring and they don’t think that’s the issue. The tailgate would open fine from the fob and the dash button. I had a new service manager this time that I hadn’t dealt with before and he shared his theory that it’s water from the drain holes. I told him that I plugged the holes. He didn’t have an answer after that. Even though it’s a PIA running to the dealer every few months for a switch replacement at least it’s covered under warranty. I’m concerned what will happen once my truck is out of warranty.

Did anyone ever have a problem with a good old fashioned manual pull tailgate? Yeah me either. Sometimes reinventing the wheel is unnecessary. I wish my truck had a manual old handle.

mtbadbob · August 24, 2023

This is the first time I've purchased the extended warranty on my vehicles, solely because of all the computers and electronics that I fear will fail way before the power train will. I've actually talked to the GM tech at dealership and surprisingly, he said they haven't had many tailgate switch failures. I'm hoping mine continues to work properly.

mtbadbob · August 24, 2023

On 8/22/2023 at 7:56 PM, 4x4Hank said:

Well the good news is that they didn’t have to order a switch, they had one. They claim to have tested the wiring and they don’t think that’s the issue. The tailgate would open fine from the fob and the dash button. I had a new service manager this time that I hadn’t dealt with before and he shared his theory that it’s water from the drain holes. I told him that I plugged the holes. He didn’t have an answer after that. Even though it’s a PIA running to the dealer every few months for a switch replacement at least it’s covered under warranty. I’m concerned what will happen once my truck is out of warranty.

Well, if that happens, just find a switch online like Ebay. I'm sure they'll be the same and far cheaper than at the dealership. I replaced a few cameras that the dealership wanted anywhere from $280-$500 to replace them, cost me under $50 for the camera & about 10 minutes to replace, worked as good as new.

Leonardo Willi · September 1, 2023

On 8/22/2023 at 10:17 PM, Pryme said:

Did anyone ever have a problem with a good old fashioned manual pull tailgate? Yeah me either. Sometimes reinventing the wheel is unnecessary. I wish my truck had a manual old handle.

Dad's 56' Ford and a couple of my Granddad's trucks of my first memories had the best ever. Couldn't go wrong with hook and chain. I've had a Ford and a Chevy both take a crap but, they were both 100K plus trucks, stuff is going to happen. Mostly it was dry rotted, brittle plastic parts like those rod retainers.

I don't see these fancy electric tailgates being anything but a pain in the ass with some age and use on them. But in defense overall, I've had vehicles hold up, last, and be pretty trouble free like nothing in the past. They build pretty good stuff these days when they get it right. Which they then decide it's smart to change what works LOL! I have absolute faith I can get the miles out of my Chevy's like people only expected from a Honda Accord. But that doesn't mean you don't have to feed them. Had to puts a trans in my 16' Impala last year at 115K miles but I didn't wait till I was sitting on side of the road. So, 5 grand in 7 years besides tires and brakes? Not bad - Oh, and the electric trunk release assm 2 months ago LOL!

But you'd think, they could get a freaking tailgate latch nailed and bulletproof. I haven't plugged my holes yet but I will.

Tami B · September 10, 2023

GM has just released a bulletin about the random tailgate dropping in GMC Sierras and Chevy Silverados. I too have had issues with my 23 Silverado. The tailgate has dropped 3 times now while driving. Once when I was towing a trailer and it caused damage. My claim with GM corporate was denied in May, because my dealership couldn’t replicate it. The bulletin states water leaks into the switch, causing the wiring to fault. I go through the car wash a few times a week. Wonder if this has contributed to it? The bulletin is linked here. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10239121-0001.pdf

jsward12 · September 11, 2023

Well as the originator of this thread after 2.5 years the problem is back! Glad to see GM has acknowledged the issue. To the dealership I go!

SoCal Angler · September 21, 2023

see below..

Edited September 21, 2023 by SoCal Angler

SoCal Angler · September 21, 2023

On 9/10/2023 at 12:46 PM, Tami B said:

GM has just released a bulletin about the random tailgate dropping in GMC Sierras and Chevy Silverados. I too have had issues with my 23 Silverado. The tailgate has dropped 3 times now while driving. Once when I was towing a trailer and it caused damage. My claim with GM corporate was denied in May, because my dealership couldn’t replicate it. The bulletin states water leaks into the switch, causing the wiring to fault. I go through the car wash a few times a week. Wonder if this has contributed to it? The bulletin is linked here. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10239121-0001.pdf

Interesting.....replacing switches appears to be a band-aid fix. There is no mention of how to prevent water intrusion and preventing repeat damage to switches. Ex. change plastic handle to one without holes. Perhaps the new parts are waterproof marine type plugs/switches?

Edited September 21, 2023 by SoCal Angler

mtbadbob · September 22, 2023

21 hours ago, SoCal Angler said:

Interesting.....replacing switches appears to be a band-aid fix. There is no mention of how to prevent water intrusion and preventing repeat damage to switches. Ex. change plastic handle to one without holes. Perhaps the new parts are waterproof marine type plugs/switches?

I find it odd that some members have siliconed the holes and are still having switch failure. Mine have been getting wet for over 14 months now without a problem. Common sense would suggest it's not a water problem...

Edited September 22, 2023 by mtbadbob

Jettech1 · September 23, 2023

14 hours ago, mtbadbob said:

I find it odd that some members have siliconed the holes and are still having switch failure. Mine have been getting wet for over 14 months now without a problem. Common sense would suggest it's not a water problem...

I agree, I'm in the same boat as you. My 22 has never had a problem. I still think I will throw some silicone on those openings but I've never had a problem at all. Perhaps I've just been lucky.

madweazl · September 23, 2023

So this happened on our '24 last weekend. Had no idea it was down until we hopped out to look at some trailers at the local RV dealer. Not sure at what point it came down but it was up when we left the house. Thankfully it hasn't happened while towing our 5th wheel.

Pryme · September 23, 2023

23 hours ago, mtbadbob said:

I find it odd that some members have siliconed the holes and are still having switch failure. Mine have been getting wet for over 14 months now without a problem. Common sense would suggest it's not a water problem...

I haven’t had it happen. I also have a keyed truck. I wonder if a lot of them coming down are push button start which means the fob is in the pocket getting pressed? Just trying to figure it out.

mtbadbob · September 23, 2023

1 hour ago, Pryme said:

I haven’t had it happen. I also have a keyed truck. I wonder if a lot of them coming down are push button start which means the fob is in the pocket getting pressed? Just trying to figure it out.

Along with the button being above the center console that is easy to accidentally push when moving/charging a phone or other items that one might store there. I have done that myself. I do believe that the gate will not open when the vehicle is out of park though, at least it's not supposed to. The locking mechanism seems to work great also if people just take the time to lock it. I can't say if this would prevent the gate from opening on it's own though??

mtbadbob · September 23, 2023

On 9/10/2023 at 1:46 PM, Tami B said:

GM has just released a bulletin about the random tailgate dropping in GMC Sierras and Chevy Silverados. I too have had issues with my 23 Silverado. The tailgate has dropped 3 times now while driving. Once when I was towing a trailer and it caused damage. My claim with GM corporate was denied in May, because my dealership couldn’t replicate it. The bulletin states water leaks into the switch, causing the wiring to fault. I go through the car wash a few times a week. Wonder if this has contributed to it? The bulletin is linked here. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10239121-0001.pdf

It does state it "may" be the reason, but that doesn't sound like a very confident reason in my book. That's like saying "It MAY rain today, but it MAY be sunny"

madweazl · September 23, 2023

2 hours ago, Pryme said:

I haven’t had it happen. I also have a keyed truck. I wonder if a lot of them coming down are push button start which means the fob is in the pocket getting pressed? Just trying to figure it out.

The gate wont go down using the FOB or interior switch unless it's in Park.