Recall: Tailgates coming open

[Rick3478]

I don't hold everyone (or every dealership) to the same standard, but yes, most service centers AT the dealerships are going to be a cut above taking a gamble at some other shop (chain or mom&pop).

You took my line.
There are some paranoid MFs on here.

Dealerships are all over the map. Sorry, couldn't resist bad joke.

I wouldn't trust the one in the nearby city to install a bumper sticker. I've had stuff done there in the past and regretted it. Maybe it's related to the liberal socialist big city mindset. They rush things and do as little as they can get away with, sloppy work, miss things, mess other things up. Won't go back there, ever, I'm a better mechanic than any of those losers.

The one in the village where I bought my BH is much better. Farmer mentality, takes as long as it takes to get it right and I haven't had any problems with their work. Already knew that from past experience, which is why I bought it there instead of the city.

Reward good work with more of your business, walk away from the bad performers, best suggestion I got about that.

 

[Idahoktm]

You guys are really fukkin' weird about this recall and having people touch and actually FIX your truck. I mean, I get not wanting someone else to do maintenance or repairs...I've worked on my vehicles my entire life. I'm not even happy about places that have mandatory Valet parking. BUT IT'S A GODDAMN RECALL. They're going to re-position the latch so, um, latches. They're not going to molest your precious truck.

First thing I tell every friend/family member who doesn't work on their own car: Take it to the Dealership. Don't take it to Spiffy Lube, don't get it done at Midas, and unless you have the time and knowledge to form an actual relationship with a trusted mechanic, the dealership is most likely to do a proper by-the-book job....MOST dealerships.

As I've said already, mine has dropped by itself in the middle of the night, twice, and it did some damage to the paint:

I now park in front of the vinyl fence, just in case. And yes, I do have to back up this much so my nose isn't in the sidewalk.

I've also had it pop open while driving (luckily, I was still in my work parking lot and I got a warning on the dash. I keep at least $5,000 in tools locked inside, and there's a reason I got a good, secure bed cover, pretty worthless if the tailgate won't stay closed, let alone if they fall out when I make a turn.

This is pretty funny. Your tailgate has improperly adjusted tailgate strikers and has fallen open a number of times, causing damage to your tailgate and potentially losing $5000 worth of tools. A month and a half ago, you found out there was a recall for the misaligned tailgate strikers. What do you do? Park your truck in a different spot, hope you don't lose $5000 worth of tools while driving, and wait for a recall notice in the mail. You could have just pulled out a Torx wrench from your $5000 tool stash and adjusted the strikers yourself while you waited for the recall notice....after all, you've been doing your own repairs your entire life. In the meantime, you tell the rest of us that we're weird for not taking our trucks in to get the strikers adjusted, even though we don't have misaligned strikers.

 

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

This is pretty funny. Your tailgate has improperly adjusted tailgate strikers and has fallen open a number of times, causing damage to your tailgate and potentially losing $5000 worth of tools. A month and a half ago, you found out there was a recall for the misaligned tailgate strikers. What do you do? Park your truck in a different spot, hope you don't lose $5000 worth of tools while driving, and wait for a recall notice in the mail. You could have just pulled out a Torx wrench from your $5000 tool stash and adjusted the strikers yourself while you waited for the recall notice....after all, you've been doing your own repairs your entire life. In the meantime, you tell the rest of us that we're weird for not taking our trucks in to get the strikers adjusted, even though we don't have misaligned strikers.

....or I found that simply slamming it harder does the trick. I now know to look out for the right-side latch not being fully engaged.

Also, if my tailgate is going to pop open and sit open all night long, I'd rather all my expensive stuff be facing the house, not advertising to everyone who passes by. Lastly, I'm not going to fix something myself that is a recall, I'd rather it be documented and have them be held accountable for any past and future damage caused by this problem.

 

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

For the record, it seems like most people on here fit into 2 camps:
1) Not never gon' happen to me.
2) So what if my **** falls out? Someone else's problem, now.

 

[Dewey]

For the record, it seems like most people on here fit into 2 camps:
1) Not never gon' happen to me.
2) So what if my **** falls out? Someone else's problem, now.

Don’t be so dramatic

I read the entire thread. Your definitely making a much bigger deal about people’s comments than was actually posted. A handful of people doesn’t equal “most people”.

 

[Idahoktm]

....or I found that simply slamming it harder does the trick. I now know to look out for the right-side latch not being fully engaged.

Also, if my tailgate is going to pop open and sit open all night long, I'd rather all my expensive stuff be facing the house, not advertising to everyone who passes by. Lastly, I'm not going to fix something myself that is a recall, I'd rather it be documented and have them be held accountable for any past and future damage caused by this problem.

I said, you can adjust it yourself while you wait for your recall notice...ie: take it in after you get your notice.

 

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

I said, you can adjust it yourself while you wait for your recall notice...ie: take it in after you get your notice.

You're right, I could. But I wound up finding a temporary solution that worked. I simply close it harder, particularly on the passenger side. If it's not latched, I will see an obvious gap. It hasn't been a problem since then, especially after reading this thread for confirmation of the issue.

If it was still a problem, sure, I'd make some adjustments, but at this point, I'm just going to see the recall through and let them deal with it, maybe get them to touch up the paint, as well. I'm probably not going to wait for the recall notice, just go in and let them know what I need done.

 

[Sascwatch]

I just let my buddies close my tailgate and it’s never an issue as they all slam my doors shut like it’s an old rust bucket with bad latches.

Also removed the running board on that side as they never use it anyways, just slide off the side of the seat.

 

[Belvedere]

I used to use a dealer just across the state line when I absolutely had to, but service was so bad the sales guys would tell you to go elsewhere. Fortunately the dealer down the road from me got bought out and is much better these days. Their techs now seem very knowledgeable, actually come out front to discuss what they will and have done.

 

[Bob.]

I feel it latch shut, it just doesn't register digitally. I didn't try kicking it from the inside to see if it would open though.
I also have an MFT. I had to take it apart when I got it as the driver side MFT would not open properly and had to install either 6 or 9 washers (I forget) for it to work and lock properly.
It properly closed, just not opened so that's ok in Ram's eyes. I even had a dealership telling me it was normal for my drivers side to not stay open


Calls the police, "There's a bunch of ammo on the road".
*proceeds to park and pick it all up to use later and not tell anyone.

Since I don't own a boat.....
It's very convenient to put all my guns in the bed now. All I got to say to the cops is I drive a Ram and all the guns fell out onto the road. "That's correct officer, every firearm and ammo I owned. You know they have a recall right"?

 

[HemiDude]

You guys are really fukkin' weird about this recall and having people touch and actually FIX your truck. I mean, I get not wanting someone else to do maintenance or repairs...I've worked on my vehicles my entire life. I'm not even happy about places that have mandatory Valet parking. BUT IT'S A GODDAMN RECALL. They're going to re-position the latch so, um, latches. They're not going to molest your precious truck.

First thing I tell every friend/family member who doesn't work on their own car: Take it to the Dealership. Don't take it to Spiffy Lube, don't get it done at Midas, and unless you have the time and knowledge to form an actual relationship with a trusted mechanic, the dealership is most likely to do a proper by-the-book job....MOST dealerships.

As I've said already, mine has dropped by itself in the middle of the night, twice, and it did some damage to the paint:

I now park in front of the vinyl fence, just in case. And yes, I do have to back up this much so my nose isn't in the sidewalk.

I've also had it pop open while driving (luckily, I was still in my work parking lot and I got a warning on the dash. I keep at least $5,000 in tools locked inside, and there's a reason I got a good, secure bed cover, pretty worthless if the tailgate won't stay closed, let alone if they fall out when I make a turn.

Tell us how you really feel!

If you are good with taking your truck and getting fixed, I don't think anyone will call you weird. If you have ever had a bad experience at a dealership, as many members here have, you might understand why some people won't go unless it is absolutely necessary. As for adjusting latches, I subscribe to - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And if it is broke, I can probably fix it myself.

 

[HSKR R/T]

If you have an open recall, it could effect resale value. Had my truck into dealer for valve cover and they cleared the tailgate recall at same time. No action was required for the tailgate as mine opens and closes the way it's supposed to. So it was just marked in system as completed.

 

[jchwatal]

I still get near weekly recall notices (mail, emails and monthly calls) from Ford for a passenger airbag in a 2012 Fusion. They have spent a ton of money trying to get me to go in and leave it for a day.

No letter yet on my 2019 Ram Big Horn yet but I may not be in the batch.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rick3478]

I got my recall letter and will let them look at it one of these days.

 

[Bob.]

I will have mine looked at when I get the oil changed in a few months. I press my gate gently and I hear both latches click, so I don't believe I have a problem with mine.

 

[Crawpapa]

From the article “…800 warranty claims and other reports…”

They’ve had 4 times that for the leaking rear window and haven’t recalled that!

 

[HSKR R/T]

From the article “…800 warranty claims and other reports…”

They’ve had 4 times that for the leaking rear window and haven’t recalled that!

Hopefully with the recent electronics issues causing trucks to shut down while driving there will be a safety recall soon. A recall only happens when it becomes a safety issue. A wet headliner and water spots on your window are hardly safety issues.

 

[MikeyHo808]

Had mines taken care of during an oil change and state safety inspection appointment. Wasn’t part of the plan that day, but Service advisor noted the recall when I checked in. Had no choice but to get it done because it was a recall.

I’ve had mines come open before, but my tonneau is mainly to blame for that. By habit, I pull on the handle now to make sure it’s fully locked.

Doesn’t seem much of a chore to complete. They had it back to me, oil changed, inspected and recall done within 90 minutes. Easy day!

 

[Bob.]

Anyone know what the dealer test is if you pass or fail? I should leave my tools home that day...

 

[Rick3478]

Anyone know what the dealer test is if you pass or fail? I should leave my tools home that day...

They probably do the same thing I do, push on it and see if it clicks on both sides.