Tailgate falling open

vanalstinew · Jun 21, 2016

Searched the site and found no other posts on this one? My tailgate is just falling open sometimes before the automatic door looks (tailgate also has remote lock/unlock) engage and sometime during. Happens about 50% of the time. As you can imagine this is pretty disturbing! The tailgate is positively shut – can pull on it and it won’t open but will fall open when I start to pull out? Anyone have any troubleshooting ideas on this? Had the truck close to a year and it just started happening about two weeks ago? Don’t know when I can get it into a dealer.

Nothing seems to be obstructing the locking mechanism

Thanks!

MR.Z06 · Jun 21, 2016

That sounds like it would be the symptom of extreme body flex or something but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Maybe grease the latch mechanism?

RR7_905RAM · Jun 22, 2016

Doesn't sound like the lock mechanism but more like the latch.

In the mean time do you lock your truck when your driving? If not you should lock it that way your tailgate should stay in place while driving.

vanalstinew · Jun 22, 2016

So I paid attention getting into the truck and leaving work yesterday and noticed when the automatic door locks engaged is when the tailgate opened. Today I tried to lock my doors manually when I got in and it fall open, so it has to be something with the locking mechanism.

blu3s94 · Jun 26, 2016

I have a thread I made 2 weeks ago on same issue. Never fixed it though.

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Jim Marshall · Dec 1, 2016

I am having same random tail gate drop on my 2015 1500 5.7 truck. It has been to the dealer where they replaced latches - but still have random drop. It is always at low speed in a turn - usually right when I leave home. I think it is about the time the electronic locks are set to engage.....so there may be a short or ??? I do not believe it is mechanical - but related to the locking. The dealer has driven it for many mile trying to replicate - but it doesn't do it unless it is about the time the locks normally engage. I have had it drop once after I manually locked using "lock button" on door panel - but it fell about the time the auto-lock would normally engage. Is there a way to check this??

-B- · Dec 2, 2016

grease the latches and pins also the piviot points in the latches

RamCares · Dec 2, 2016

Jim Marshall said:
I am having same random tail gate drop on my 2015 1500 5.7 truck. It has been to the dealer where they replaced latches - but still have random drop. It is always at low speed in a turn - usually right when I leave home. I think it is about the time the electronic locks are set to engage.....so there may be a short or ??? I do not believe it is mechanical - but related to the locking. The dealer has driven it for many mile trying to replicate - but it doesn't do it unless it is about the time the locks normally engage. I have had it drop once after I manually locked using "lock button" on door panel - but it fell about the time the auto-lock would normally engage. Is there a way to check this??

Hi Jim Marshall,
I may have found a Technical Service Bulletin that is relevant to your concern:

NUMBER: 23-004-16 REV. B
GROUP: Body
DATE: August 19, 2016
SUBJECT:
Tailgate Contacting Pickup Box Panel When Closing
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe the tailgate making contact with the passenger side outer box
panel.

Your certified dealer will be able to best assess if this is a relevant bulletin to your vehicle and if any future steps are necessary. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Anna
RamCares Social Media Specialist

llev · Dec 4, 2016

Tailgate issues

My 2016 Outdoorsman is having the same issue tailgate has fallen down numerous times. Scary when I had my new tires in the rear and tailgate fell down on the highway. Tailgate fell down twice in my driveway when I locked truck tailgate released and fell. Must be a locking issue as the locks have not engaged. Talked to dealer and told them this is serious will advise there fix end of this week.

Ryan1126 · Dec 4, 2016

dude i would get that taken care of asap, i had my tailgate fall open on my 08 silverado and it made a crease in it, as if it got dented from the inside out, it was a chevy though, i swear that truck was the cheesiest build vehicle i have ever owned.

bryan28 · Dec 4, 2016

Best bet would be to replace the tailgate with a tailgate net.

RAM DAT · Jan 15, 2017

I have a 2016 sport it has happened to me several times and recently I was towing a trailer and when it fell open it dented my tailgate. I'm out of town right now but fully intend to bring it to the dealer when I get home

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lmc22391 · Jan 15, 2017

Wow, this is weird. I would suggest buying a dee zee tailgate assist, 25 bucks, and when your tail gate does fall open, at least it will fall open slowly.

RAM DAT · Jan 15, 2017

lmc22391 said:
Wow, this is weird. I would suggest buying a dee zee tailgate assist, 25 bucks, and when your tail gate does fall open, at least it will fall open slowly.

I thought about that also but I have a bed cover so if it falls open slowly then I wouldn't know it was open and it can aid against the trailer for a while so it's a catch 22 I sure hope that the dealer fixes my tailgate

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mtofell · Jan 16, 2017

bryan28 said:
Best bet would be to replace the tailgate with a tailgate net.

LOL.... is this serious? Yeah, that's a great "fix" :roflsquared:

Anyway, sounds like you need to get it into the dealer. But, in the meantime you can easily access the latch mechanism. Just open your gate and take off the panel at the top inside (closest to you when the gate is open). If I remember correctly it is a dozen or so torx screws. I had to get in here to stop the gate from locking with my doors for the way I use my truck. You can get to the handle and maybe check to be sure something isn't hanging up and/or apply some lube to the parts.

xrsman · Jan 22, 2017

http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?t=97124

Here's a link to my thread. Anyone who has it fall open and is damaged, FCA will warranty it. Mine was repainted under warranty.

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Tailgate falling open

vanalstinew

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MR.Z06

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RR7_905RAM

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vanalstinew

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blu3s94

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Jim Marshall

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-B-

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RamCares

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llev

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Ryan1126

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bryan28

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RAM DAT

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lmc22391

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RAM DAT

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mtofell

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xrsman

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