2019 RAM 1500 tailgate not latching properly

[RamCares]

Noticed mine is like this. Now it's gonna bug the **** out of me. I'll make the dealer aware next oil change.

Hi Stom54,
We're sorry to hear about this. You're welcome to send us a private message once that appointment comes around and we'll be happy to assist you during that process.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[duke2001]

So you are saying that both cables snapped and the only weight on them was that of one ladder?

 

[LILOUBABI]

My truck has this problem. The dealer adjusted the latch filezilla uc mini rufus but now the gate does not sit flush on the right side. My gate is bent. They said bring it back so we'll see

• When you close the tailgate, most times, only the left side fully latches, and the right side does not properly latch. When driving, the right side latch opens up and the “tailgate open” warning light shows up in the center display. Slamming the gate closed very hard gets both latches to latch.

 

[JeepTech]

I have seen the gate not shut properly due to excessive thickness in bed linings.

 

[SpeedyV]

• When you close the tailgate, most times, only the left side fully latches, and the right side does not properly latch. When driving, the right side latch opens up and the “tailgate open” warning light shows up in the center display. Slamming the gate closed very hard gets both latches to latch.

Mine is the opposite (right side latches), but a hard close takes care of it. Build tolerances, I guess.

 

[Brodiemac]

Problem: The tailgate as mounted is not straight to the bed of the truck. This causes two problems. My dealer says this is the same on other trucks and claims it is working "as designed" Has anyone else seen this problem, and is there a fix?

• The left side suspension cable is very loose, not bearing any load. The right side cable is taut and is the only load bearing cable. This means that the weight capacity of the tailgate is half of what it should be and it is possible for the right cable to break under normal loads, since the left is not supporting the tailgate at all.
• When you close the tailgate, most times, only the left side fully latches, and the right side does not properly latch. When driving, the right side latch opens up and the “tailgate open” warning light shows up in the center display. Slamming the gate closed very hard gets both latches to latch.

The problem appears to be due to the location of the hinges on the truck bed that the tailgate attaches to. The left mount is 5/8’s of an inch from the bed, and the right mount is 3/4 “ from the bed.

• Left support cable – showing how it is very loose. View attachment 18818

Right side - cable taut - left side in background loose
View attachment 18819

right side mount - 3/4 inch
View attachment 18820

left side mount - 5/8 inch
View attachment 18821

left side closed
View attachment 18822

right side closed - not fully latching
View attachment 18823

Problem: The tailgate as mounted is not straight to the bed of the truck. This causes two problems. My dealer says this is the same on other trucks and claims it is working "as designed" Has anyone else seen this problem, and is there a fix?

• The left side suspension cable is very loose, not bearing any load. The right side cable is taut and is the only load bearing cable. This means that the weight capacity of the tailgate is half of what it should be and it is possible for the right cable to break under normal loads, since the left is not supporting the tailgate at all.
• When you close the tailgate, most times, only the left side fully latches, and the right side does not properly latch. When driving, the right side latch opens up and the “tailgate open” warning light shows up in the center display. Slamming the gate closed very hard gets both latches to latch.

The problem appears to be due to the location of the hinges on the truck bed that the tailgate attaches to. The left mount is 5/8’s of an inch from the bed, and the right mount is 3/4 “ from the bed.

• Left support cable – showing how it is very loose. View attachment 18818

Right side - cable taut - left side in background loose
View attachment 18819

right side mount - 3/4 inch
View attachment 18820

left side mount - 5/8 inch
View attachment 18821

left side closed
View attachment 18822

right side closed - not fully latching
View attachment 18823

I am having exactly the same issues. Did you end up getting this resolved?

 

[Len p.]

My truck having same issue, dealer trying to sell it off as a " grounding issue" causing tailgate open alert. Many times while that alert is activated I have to use multiple attempts to unlock the tailgate to open it. And multiple slams to close.

 

[Slawkawski1]

Fixed this problem with a torx 45 but. Jusr adjusted the latch on the tailgate. I had a squeak coming from right side. No more

 

[WilburNJ]

I’m having the same problem with the passenger side multi-function gate not “closing” properly. I really need to slam it to get it to show as closed in the dash. Otherwise I get a warning. My 2020 Laramie is only 2 days old, so this is pretty annoying. I’ll bring it up with the dealer when I take it in for service at some point.

Problem: The tailgate as mounted is not straight to the bed of the truck. This causes two problems. My dealer says this is the same on other trucks and claims it is working "as designed" Has anyone else seen this problem, and is there a fix?

• The left side suspension cable is very loose, not bearing any load. The right side cable is taut and is the only load bearing cable. This means that the weight capacity of the tailgate is half of what it should be and it is possible for the right cable to break under normal loads, since the left is not supporting the tailgate at all.
• When you close the tailgate, most times, only the left side fully latches, and the right side does not properly latch. When driving, the right side latch opens up and the “tailgate open” warning light shows up in the center display. Slamming the gate closed very hard gets both latches to latch.

The problem appears to be due to the location of the hinges on the truck bed that the tailgate attaches to. The left mount is 5/8’s of an inch from the bed, and the right mount is 3/4 “ from the bed.

• Left support cable – showing how it is very loose. View attachment 18818

Right side - cable taut - left side in background loose
View attachment 18819

right side mount - 3/4 inch
View attachment 18820

left side mount - 5/8 inch
View attachment 18821

left side closed
View attachment 18822

right side closed - not fully latching
View attachment 18823

 

[PorBoy]

Really sorry to hear this, who’s your dealer ?

 

[RamCares]

I’m having the same problem with the passenger side multi-function gate not “closing” properly. I really need to slam it to get it to show as closed in the dash. Otherwise I get a warning. My 2020 Laramie is only 2 days old, so this is pretty annoying. I’ll bring it up with the dealer when I take it in for service at some point.

I sincerely apologize for the trouble, WilburNJ. Please do not hesitate to send us a PM if you are in need of any additional support while addressing this with your dealer.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Sellerslou]

Does anyone have any issues with the 2019 Bighorn tailgate not unlatching on occasion? This is about the fourth or fifth occurrence. I can hear the solenoid and actuators release the latches, but to no avail. I also "assist" the actuators by putting forward pressure on the tailgate to ensure there is less friction on the rotating latches. The pressure assist has worked a couple times.... This time I'm getting a little perturbed. It's Sunday and I have a ton of work to get done, so of course it would happen today with no dealer open. I also have not taken it to the dealer and complained, as once the gate is down there is "no problem" that can be diagnosed. Thanks for any help.

 

[HeliPilot]

Does anyone have any issues with the 2019 Bighorn tailgate not unlatching on occasion? This is about the fourth or fifth occurrence. I can hear the solenoid and actuators release the latches, but to no avail. I also "assist" the actuators by putting forward pressure on the tailgate to ensure there is less friction on the rotating latches. The pressure assist has worked a couple times.... This time I'm getting a little perturbed. It's Sunday and I have a ton of work to get done, so of course it would happen today with no dealer open. I also have not taken it to the dealer and complained, as once the gate is down there is "no problem" that can be diagnosed. Thanks for any help.

I’ve posted about this quite a few times. Get a T45 torx bit and a ratchet, loosen (not remove) the passenger side striker bolt (where the TG latches) and move it rearwards about 1/16 to 1/8 inch and tighten back down. Mine did this when I purchased a year ago, spent 30 seconds doing the procedure above, and have not had another problem in over a year.

 

[Sellerslou]

I’ve posted about this quite a few times. Get a T45 torx bit and a ratchet, loosen (not remove) the passenger side striker bolt (where the TG latches) and move it rearwards about 1/16 to 1/8 inch and tighten back down. Mine did this when I purchased a year ago, spent 30 seconds doing the procedure above, and have not had another problem in over a year.

You're awesome HeliPilot! Thanks for your knowledge and help!

 

[Sellerslou]

You're awesome HeliPilot! Thanks for your knowledge and help!

On another note, could the administrator or webmaster enable post tags so the search bar will hit on words within a thread?

 

[Dirty dom]

I just bought a 2019 2500 laramie and the right side latch hits on the head of the strike bolt while the left side engages fine along the shaft of the strike bolt. This makes it very hard and uncomfortable to close the tailgate. You can see that the tailgate is shifted to the left about 1/4". Dealership visit coming up soon with under 50 miles.

 

[PorBoy]

Really sorry to see you are having this problem with less then 50 miles on your truck..

 

[RamCares]

I just bought a 2019 2500 laramie and the right side latch hits on the head of the strike bolt while the left side engages fine along the shaft of the strike bolt. This makes it very hard and uncomfortable to close the tailgate. You can see that the tailgate is shifted to the left about 1/4". Dealership visit coming up soon with under 50 miles.

I sincerely apologize that you are experiencing this concern, @Dirty dom. Please do not hesitate to follow up with our team via private message if you are in need of any additional support while addressing this with your dealer. We are more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf for further support.

Mark
RamCares

 

[JoeyA]

Having the same problem as well. Seems like the passenger side doesn’t close all the way unless i slam it pretty hard. Then sometimes the tailgate would get stuck closed and won’t open unless i put my body weight into the tailgate while attempting to open it. Pretty ridiculous so many people are having the same issue. Boggles my mind why RAM hasn’t had a recall on these 2019/2020 ram models for this.

 

[RamCares]

Having the same problem as well. Seems like the passenger side doesn’t close all the way unless i slam it pretty hard. Then sometimes the tailgate would get stuck closed and won’t open unless i put my body weight into the tailgate while attempting to open it. Pretty ridiculous so many people are having the same issue. Boggles my mind why RAM hasn’t had a recall on these 2019/2020 ram models for this.

Hi @JoeyA
We are certainly understanding of how this may be inconvenient, and our team would be happy to assist in resolving this for you! If you intend to bring this concern to the attention of your dealer, please feel free to send us a private message for an additional layer of support throughout your service.

Kathryn
RamCares