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GM Releases Final Fix For GMC Sierra Unlatching Tailgate Recall

A final fix has been issued by GM for a malfunction in the tailgate release switch of certain 2024 GMC Sierra HD trucks, with restoration of the switch’s proper function now available with the replacement of the affected part.

Customer Satisfaction Program number N232426401 describes the remedy, which is available through May 31st, 2026 and also includes 2020 through 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 pickups in Canada only.

Front overhead view of the GMC Sierra HD.

A new, correctly functioning tailgate exterior release switch assembly is to be installed in place of the defective component by qualified service personnel, per The General’s instructions. This follows an earlier step in the recall process during which technicians disabled the switch in recalled GMC Sierra units to prevent the tailgate from opening during driving.

Water intrusion into the tailgate switch caused the problem according to the original recall document. The circuitry inside shorted out once water penetrated the switch, leading to the tailgate unlatching while the truck was in Park. Momentum and air pressure would then cause the tailgate to flop open once the vehicle started moving, potentially dumping items in the cargo bed onto the road and creating an accident hazard. Sierra HD and Canadian Sierra 1500 owners can get the remedy free of charge.

Rear three quarters view of the GMC Sierra HD.

While the recall originally included 545,722 pickup trucks – rounding up both GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado units – further investigation resulted in it growing to encompass 819,566 vehicles by March 2024. An additional 249,132 trucks in Canada of both models are also included in the recall and in the current final fix.

Under the hood, the refreshed 2024 Sierra HD cradles the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine as standard, developing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. Optionally, the boosted-for-2024 post-refresh 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax engine, cranking out 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque, can be chosen. Output for both engines is routed through the Allison-branded 10-speed automatic transmission.

Cockpit view of the GMC Sierra HD.

Meanwhile, for structure, the pickup is underpinned by a more-capable variant of the GM T1 platform. Production of the refreshed 2024 GMC Sierra HD is carried out at the GM Flint plant in Michigan.

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Comments

  1. How can something make it to market and this be a problem with water intrusion. Through a rubber switch, you would think they didn’t have any sort of a testing program whatsoever up there.

    Reply
    1. My guess is that the prototype parts passed all the development tests, then the supplier had a quality issue in production, probably where some are bad, but not all, but GM decided to just replace all of them.

      Reply
  2. guess their “testing” only consists of a light shower instead of a downpour of rain.

    Reply
  3. On the HD GMC’s and Chevy’s there is an indentation which acts as a grab handle for opening the tailgate. Inside that indentation are two drain holes which drain the water directly onto both switches. How’s that for engineering/testing. I don’t know for sure but I’ve been told that the 1500’s don’t have the indentation. I have had multiple switched replaced.

    Reply
  4. Fortunately I have not had any problems with my 2021 Sierra HD and it sits outside 24 /7 through all the seasons. I don’t open the tailgate very much though. The dealer said they did not have the parts when I called so I guess I play the waiting game. Maybe my truck is not affected! I will wait until the dealer calls me to say the parts are in. Other than that the truck has been trouble free.

    Reply
  5. We have replaced the inner and outer tailgate switches twice. Now the recall was only for the outer switch but our inner gate isn’t working. No recall on that one. Why are they only replacing one of them

    Reply
    1. That’s a good question. Both switches are susceptible either through the grab handle indentation drain holes or just from driving at highway speeds in the rain with water infiltrating through the space between the inner and outer tailgates. I siliconed the drain holes but I still had switches go bad after that so the drain holes are the other cause.

      Reply
  6. i have a 2023 at4 1500 and my tailgate would open over night and totally kill my battery. I took it in a few months ago and they said the fixed it. It just happened again. so the truck is back in the dealership being looked at. Again it totally killed the battery. hope it gets fixed for good this time.

    Reply

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