New York, March 02, 2024, The Europe Today: In a proactive response to potential safety concerns, General Motors (GM) has announced a recall affecting 820,000 newer pickup trucks in North America. The recall, applicable to model years 2020 through 2024, specifically targets trucks equipped with power unlatching tailgates. The reason behind the recall is the risk of water leakage into the exterior tailgate switch, which may lead to a short circuit while the vehicle is parked, causing the tailgate to unlatch and open unexpectedly.
GM has acknowledged the issue following one reported incident of a minor injury and three minor property damage complaints associated with the malfunctioning tailgate mechanism. The recall encompasses approximately 570,000 trucks in the United States and an additional 250,000 in Canada, marking it as GM’s largest recall in the U.S. this year and one of the more substantial recalls filed in 2024.
Both U.S. and Canadian regulators have raised concerns over the safety implications, emphasizing that if the tailgate opens unexpectedly, unsecured cargo could potentially fall out of the truck bed onto the road while the vehicle is in motion.
To address the issue, GM dealers will be replacing the exterior touchpad switch assemblies. However, until replacement parts become available, both vehicles in dealership inventory and those owned by consumers may have the affected part temporarily disabled. GM has assured that the replacement parts incorporate a new material designed to enhance resistance to water intrusion.
As part of the safety measures, GM strongly recommends owners to inspect their truck’s tailgate, ensuring it is properly closed and latched before driving. The automaker is actively working to expedite the resolution of the issue, underlining its commitment to swiftly addressing potential safety concerns and ensuring the well-being of its customers.
The recall spans various truck models, including the 2020-2023 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, along with the 2020-2024 heavy-duty versions of these pickup trucks equipped with power unlatching tailgates. GM initiated an investigation in November following numerous complaints about unwanted tailgate openings, having received a total of 136 complaints related to this issue. The company is dedicated to implementing corrective actions promptly and comprehensively.
