GM Recalls Almost 820K Pickup Trucks for Faulty Tailgate Latch

General Motors has announced a recall affecting nearly 820,000 pickup trucks, including models of Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras sold in the U.S. and Canada between 2020 and 2024. The reason behind this massive recall? A glitch in the electronic latch mechanism of the trucks’ tailgates, which poses significant safety risks.

This glitch could potentially cause the tailgate to unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion, posing hazards on the road and increasing the risk of accidents. The vulnerability to water exposure is the root cause, as it may trigger a short circuit in the electric tailgate, leading to its inadvertent opening.

In response to this issue, GM has received at least 136 complaints about the tailgate opening while driving, despite its intended operation to only open up when the vehicle is parked. While most complaints cited minor issues, there was one case that reported a minor injury. To mitigate further incidents, GM advises owners of the affected vehicles to manually close their tailgates before driving until the recall is fully addressed.

Starting March 18, affected customers will receive notifications about the recall. However, the timeline for completing the recall remains uncertain. In the interim, owners with defective tailgates can visit a dealer to replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, with GM covering the repair costs.

This recall adds to a recent surge in automotive recalls, with Toyota also facing issues related to brake performance in its Tacoma trucks. Approximately 381,199 Tacoma trucks from model years 2022 and 2023 in the U.S. are affected by a brake problem caused by welding debris left during manufacturing.

Despite these setbacks, both GM and Toyota emphasize their unwavering commitment to prioritizing customer safety and satisfaction. They pledge to expedite solutions to rectify the issues at hand and ensure the continued trust of their valued customers.