General Motors has initiated a new recall, involving 820,000 recent-model pickup trucks in North America, due to concerns that their tailgates may unexpectedly unlatch and open. The recall encompasses trucks from the model years 2020 through 2024, equipped with power unlatching tailgates. GM has identified the potential for water leakage into the external tailgate switch, leading to a short circuit when the vehicle is parked. The automaker reported being informed of one incident resulting in a minor injury and three cases of minor property damage associated with the specified recall issue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, launching an investigation into the matter, said in documents posted Tuesday that water intrusion can cause the switches to short circuit, possibly causing the tailgates to open. At the same time, the truck is parked and leaving unsecured cargo to fall out of the bed, posing a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. The agency is ordering GM to replace the switch and will notify owners of the issue starting March 18. GM has ordered dealers to place a stop-sale order on current trucks in dealer lots until they can be fixed.
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GM’s latest recall is the largest of the company this year and comes just weeks after the automaker disclosed ignition-switch problems that triggered recalls for 29 million cars and trucks. The company has already incurred $35 million in fines from the federal government for concealing those defects for years.
A spokesman for GM told The Car Connection that the company is working closely with NHTSA to determine the scope of the problem and to repair any affected vehicles. The automaker also conducts a safety campaign to remind drivers of the importance of keeping their tailgates closed and latched.
NHTSA investigates all reports of possible safety issues, using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and its National Automotive Sampling System, The Car Connection reported. The agency will also consider petitions from members of the public asking it to probe specific matters, such as this one.
GM isn’t alone in having issues with the tailgates on its pickups. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram brand has had issues with its trucks’ tailgates dropping open while the vehicle is in motion, though the number of incidents and injuries isn’t known. Ram has recalled more than 2 million trucks since last year.