General Motors has announced a new recall affecting over 132,000 heavy-duty pickups in the United States. This recall is an extension of a previous recall related to tailgate release switches that have the potential to short circuit and open the gates while the trucks are parked.
The latest recall includes specific 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks that were not part of the initial recall in February, which involved 323,000 heavy-duty pickups. Only trucks equipped with a manual gate and power lock and release feature are impacted by this issue.
According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, water infiltration into the electronic gate release switches is the root cause of the problem, leading to unintended gate unlatching. This poses a safety risk as cargo could fall onto the road, potentially causing accidents.
The decision to expand the recall was made after General Motors received 237 field reports of tailgates opening unexpectedly. As a precautionary measure, the company advises owners to ensure that the gate is securely closed and latched before driving their vehicles.
To address the issue, GM dealers will replace the exterior touch pad switch assemblies with new components that offer improved water resistance. Owners of the affected vehicles will receive notification letters starting on January 13 to inform them about the recall and the necessary steps to take.
