Multifunction tailgate not opening

[stevensmaint]

Hi all

My multifunction tailgate has stopped working on my 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Laramie. When I press the tailgate handle, I can tell it is not initiating the electronic tailgate latches/actuators for the multifunction tailgate. There are 2 latches for the multifunction tailgate. When I press up, I can hear the actuators/latches engage and the tailgate will open normally (the old way up and down), but the multifunction tailgate will not open when I press down on the tailgate handle, you hear a slight click, but nothing else and the latches will not release. I have verified that neither the center or bottom latches of the multifunction tailgate move when the handle is pressed. I purchased the center tailgate latch and tried, but this did not fix the problem. Since both multifunction latches are not working and the other two that raise and lower the normal opening of the tailgate, could it be the tailgate control module and how do I verify? Seems odd that both multifunction tailgate latches quit working at the same time and after trying one new one with no change, I think this is not the issue? Is there a way to test the voltage to the control module??

FOLLOWUP:
We couldn’t find a good wiring diagram but decided to try to follow the wires and check voltages. We discovered the center tailgate and lower tailgate latch (for the multifunction tailgate) might be wired in series. Couldn’t get good voltages but decided to try our new part that we tried on the center actuator latch on the lower latch and lo and behold, now both latches are working properly. We also discovered that there is a different part number for the center latch and the lower center latch, but they are identical. So long story short is that replacing the lower tailgate latch for the multifunction tailgate fixed the problem and the multifunction tailgate is now working properly.

 

[Rebel-4x4]

Following. I have similar issue. Mine has stopped all together now. But has opened a couple of times intermittently. Plus remote doesnt open the drop tailgate.

 

[stevensmaint]

Following. I have similar issue. Mine has stopped all together now. But has opened a couple of times intermittently. Plus remote doesnt open the drop tailgate.

A few people have said theirs have gotten jammed or stuck and pressing in hard or going down a rough road jarred them loose? Ours is definitely not releasing the latches but this could be your issue? A lot of folks have complained the tailgate is misaligned…. Just a thought….

 

[JasonSD]

I have a 2020 limited and my tailgate latches have stopped opening reliably…basically will not unlatch anymore. I’ve adjusted them, lubed them and still will not open. I’ve opened the access panel and worked the latches manually and they work fine. The switch is just not working reliably. Is there a fix or just needs to be replaced?

 

[Driven427]

Hi, I just purchased a 2025 Laramie. It was the manager's ride, and it had 6,400 or so miles. After 2,000 miles the power tailgate will not open. I think it's a Latch Assembly Failure, because it tries to open, but the left side is not releasing as much as the right. Dealers have opened multiple STAR reports on this issue.

Here is my question: there are 3 hinge mounting bolts on the right side and 2 on the left. Of the 3 on the right, 1 is NOT painted. Is this correct? Can some of you take a look when you have a minute to see if you have the same configuration. Before I call the dealership, I would like to know if this bolt was replaced. There is no service record. I do not want to look argumentative and make a false statement about the bolt if it's added after painting.

 

[mikeru82]

Hi, I just purchased a 2025 Laramie. It was the manager's ride, and it had 6,400 or so miles. After 2,000 miles the power tailgate will not open. I think it's a Latch Assembly Failure, because it tries to open, but the left side is not releasing as much as the right. Dealers have opened multiple STAR reports on this issue.

Here is my question: there are 3 hinge mounting bolts on the right side and 2 on the left. Of the 3 on the right, 1 is NOT painted. Is this correct? Can some of you take a look when you have a minute to see if you have the same configuration. Before I call the dealership, I would like to know if this bolt was replaced. There is no service record. I do not want to look argumentative and make a false statement about the bolt if it's added after painting.

Please post a pic of the bolts you're referring to.

 

[Driven427]

It will not open, but I remember one of them was not painted. You know, those things that make you go Hmmm. Here is a picture from the internet. It is not exact, but on my truck there are 3 bolts. One is not painted

 

[Driven427]

Has anyone had a chance to look at their bolt configuration. I'm going to the dealership tomorrow and would like to know if this was fiddled with once before. Any support is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[mikeru82]

Has anyone had a chance to look at their bolt configuration. I'm going to the dealership tomorrow and would like to know if this was fiddled with once before. Any support is appreciated. Thank you!

Here's a pic from our 2020 Limited w/MFT. They were all painted but have been somewhat scuffed over the years.

 

[Spanish Cobra]

This what mine look like. Kinda flat black

 

[Driven427]

THANK YOU both for spending the time to show me. From what I recall, because it still will not open, my tailgate is completely different. I wish I could open it. Anyone online with a 2024-26?

By the way, Nice rides guys! Nothing against the color Black (I had several Black cars over the years), but I had 3 Yellow 2005, 2016 and a 2018 Charger Daytona's and they were great! Colors are a little washed out in the pic.

 

[Driven427]

I got it open. I tried it 20 or more times. That cannot be a good thing. Overheat the motor.

From the picture you can see why I'm questioning the unpainted bolt head. I really hope someone with a '24-'26 1500 with a power tailgate can confirm they have a painted or unpainted bolt on the right side.

 

[mikeru82]

THANK YOU both for spending the time to show me. From what I recall, because it still will not open, my tailgate is completely different. I wish I could open it. Anyone online with a 2024-26?

By the way, Nice rides guys! Nothing against the color Black (I had several Black cars over the years), but I had 3 Yellow 2005, 2016 and a 2018 Charger Daytona's and they were great! Colors are a little washed out in the pic.

Your tailgate is so different because it’s a standard tailgate and not the MFT like @Spanish Cobra and I have.

 

[Driven427]

Anyone online with a 2024-26 1500 with a standard power tailgate? Heading to the dealership today and would like to know the following:
There are 3 hinge mounting bolts on the right side and 2 on the left. Of the 3 on the right, 1 is NOT painted. Is this correct? Can some of you take a look when you have a minute to see if you have the same configuration.
Before I go to the dealership, I would like to know if this bolt was replaced. There is no service record for my truck. I do not want to look argumentative and make a false statement about the bolt if it's added after painting. Anyone? Please.

 

[Skearns]

I found this video that shows tailgate removal.

There are only 2 bolts though.

 

[Skearns]

I found this in a diff search; it’s a limited but looks like the unpainted bolt is there

 

[Skearns]

Another

 

[Driven427]

Thank you! Now I know it was not fiddled with. Last thing I wanted was accuse the dealership of not posting a service record.
I really hope they fix this. I have a tonneau cover, so there is no way to get into the bed. The 1st time it happened, I had 6 bags of groceries in the bed. It took a lot of tries to open it that day. There is no rhyme or reason to what you have to do, other than trying over and over until it works. Pushing, pulling, using the remote, the overhead, or the tailgate latch does not change anything.
Thank you Everyone!