Tailgate randomly opening

[johnts]

There is a TSB out for this problem. I was having the same issue on my '16 Big Horn. The dealer found the TSB, I don't have the #, and replaced a part in the tailgate. This was a few months ago, and it has been fine since.
I don't have my work receipt nearby for the info on what was replaced.

 

[Raharrin]

Tail gate opening

Mine has done it several times as well. Twice in the last two days.

 

[2000GM]

I thought I was losing my mind. It's happened three times to me, and I was thinking maybe I wasn't shutting the tailgate. But I figured no, because I've been driving trucks ever since getting my license 26 years ago, and it's never happened before this truck.

 

[Tom88]

Finally got mine in to fix it. The service guy said he is seeing a few of these coming in. For any of you guys having your locking tailgate dropping when your doors lock while driving, here's what they did.


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[02Steve15]

Taking mine in tomorrow, will post afterwards. Have to get software recall done as well.


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[MaxSteelRam]

my 2016 just started dropping its tailgate this week.. guess i will need to bring it to dealer. happened 3 times on it's own.. but now i can make it do it by unlocking and locking doors while accelerating... so at least I can prove it.

funny this is, if the truck is parked and you get someone to randomly unlock/lock doors you can't forcefully make the hatch drop by pulling it.. it is somehow related to the lock while driving..

 

[Tom88]

Try starting the truck and then try the door lock/unlock trick. I didn't have to be driving the truck, but found I had to start the truck and then it would do it.


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[Mineralram]

my dealer just orederd the parts for me

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[MaxSteelRam]

I'm at dealer. They actually had parts. Thought we'd have to order them. They are swapping the Actuator I think right now.

Tech said it looked like the actuator was allowed to overextend possibly. Maybe a missing pin or something to stop it from over extending. The little rubber boot kept popping off as well from the over extension.

 

[BlownGP]

I had to change the metal stoppers on each side or mine would not stay closed unless I slammed it.

It was especially bad in the cold

 

[Buddaboy157]

Tail gate drops randomly

Same thing has happened to me. Found out by luck it's the locking mechanism in the tailgate. I hit the lock button so tailgate wouldn't fall while driving and when I press the lock button the tailgate dropped. I then close the tailgate back up and then repeatedly hit lock and unlock button, and on the 5th try the tailgate dropped. I then open tailgate and closed both hooks on each side of the tailgate, and took my finger to put pressure on one of the hooks. When I press the lock button on my keys you noticed a little lover that keeps the tailgate locked gets wedged underneath the hook, and after so many times pressing the lock button the hook gives way. I can't post videos here but if you'd like to see them I can email them to whoever replies to this.

 

[02Steve15]

That's how it was for me. Had it taken care of at least 2 weeks ago now and no more issues.


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[MaxSteelRam]

That's how it was for me. Had it taken care of at least 2 weeks ago now and no more issues.


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I'm wondering if the design has been improved or if it will fail again in a year r

 

[02Steve15]

I'm wondering if the design has been improved or if it will fail again in a year r

That's what I was wondering too. I'd hate to have it happen in two years and then I'm out of warranty..


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[H1Chester]

Guys, this literally just happened to me tonight, twice. And I was thinking oh geez what now!?!?

It happened right after I picked up dinner and about the time the doors did the auto lock. Then I just went out to my truck a few minutes ago to look for something and the tailgate was down! I closed it with some force, not slamming and tugged and pulled and didn't release. I locked the doors before walking away and nothing happened. I'll see what she does overnight! It has rained a good amount the past couple of days in NE Florida. One poster said water leaks down into the mechanism?


Guess I am adding this to the list...
1. Water pouring in through driver's entry handle
2. Weird bubbling in paint on the hood
3. Tailgate dropping randomly

 

[MaxSteelRam]

Guys, this literally just happened to me tonight, twice. And I was thinking oh geez what now!?!?

It happened right after I picked up dinner and about the time the doors did the auto lock. Then I just went out to my truck a few minutes ago to look for something and the tailgate was down! I closed it with some force, not slamming and tugged and pulled and didn't release. I locked the doors before walking away and nothing happened. I'll see what she does overnight! It has rained a good amount the past couple of days in NE Florida. One poster said water leaks down into the mechanism?


Guess I am adding this to the list...
1. Water pouring in through driver's entry handle
2. Weird bubbling in paint on the hood
3. Tailgate dropping randomly

The internal parts for the lock seem to fail over time. Either it's a month or it's a year. Years like it's destined to fail eventually on 2015+ trucks. I did the same thing make sure it closed right, with force. And nothing still dropped when doors auto lock at speed. Or if I forced it to lock/unlock while driving.

 

[SixPoints_Kev]

Had the same thing happen two or three times while towing my trailer a few weeks back. I never heard the tailgate drop because it would lower and rest against the trailers tongue jack. Didn't notice it until I would stop somewhere, get out of the truck, and see the tailgate halfway down when walking by. Couldn't figure out what happened and haven't had it happen since (probably 3 weeks now). Let me know if you figure out what caused it.

 

[Tom88]

Had the same thing happen two or three times while towing my trailer a few weeks back. I never heard the tailgate drop because it would lower and rest against the trailers tongue jack. Didn't notice it until I would stop somewhere, get out of the truck, and see the tailgate halfway down when walking by. Couldn't figure out what happened and haven't had it happen since (probably 3 weeks now). Let me know if you figure out what caused it.

You will likely need the tailgate locking module replaced inside the gate. It will likely do it again at some point. Mine started off like that. A couple times in one day then nothing for weeks. Then it gets more frequent.


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[SixPoints_Kev]

You will likely need the tailgate locking module replaced inside the gate. It will likely do it again at some point. Mine started off like that. A couple times in one day then nothing for weeks. Then it gets more frequent.

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You were definitely right about that. Not too long after I made my post last week it started dropping the tailgate. Just over the weekend it happened twice. Guess it's going in to the dealer this week...

 

[Tom88]

You were definitely right about that. Not too long after I made my post last week it started dropping the tailgate. Just over the weekend it happened twice. Guess it's going in to the dealer this week...

Yes it's an easy fix bud. As soon as you tell them what it's doing, they'll know. Trust me. I hope the new parts they are putting in our gates are redesigned so this doesn't start happening in 2 more years off warranty.


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