Inside Tailgate Release Button update needed

onewheat · July 20, 2023

'23 Sierra Denali with MultiPro gate - on several occasions while driving, I found out that my tailgate has gone down without my knowledge. One time, just when I parked and walked around the truck, once when I went to back up and the camera showed the license plate and not behind me and I was flagged down by a guy on the highway who was motioning at the rear of the truck. I pulled over to find the tailgate down and my full cooler had partially slid onto the tailgate. What I believe is happening is a quick, inadvertent press of the Tailgate Release Button on the center console. The third time, when I got flagged down, it dawned on me that I had just put my sunglasses case in that cubby. I feel this needs some sort of update - I don't know if this can be a software thing or not? Why would a quick touch of that toggle button while I'm going 80 mph down the highway drop the gate? Why would there be no indicator of it happening - a dash light, a chime, nothing? Why would this happen in gear at all? I know you guys aren't the ones who would fix this, but has anyone else experienced this? I saw on another forum that multiple people have had this issue. Possible fixes include disabling the button unless in Park or while moving, requiring holding the button for 3 seconds, or maybe a double-press? If I lose a bag of tools or a cooler loaded down with icy beverages, not only is that $$$ from me but what if whatever falls out then hits another vehicle behind me or is struck by them while my stuff lies in the middle of the road? I'm not sure what can be done with over-the-air updates, but surely someone else has experienced this. Maybe GM is monitoring here (fingers crossed).

MrMagloo · July 20, 2023

I'd agree. With the number of bizarre restrictions they have on this truck in the name of safety, the fact that you can drop the tailgate while moving, let alone in gear is kind of mind boggling. I can't think of any reason why that button should ever operate in gear?

gemarsh · July 20, 2023

Something is wrong. Unless gm changed something on the refresh.

'21 1500, '22 3500 and '23 2500 will not drop in any gear besides Park.

onewheat · July 21, 2023

9 hours ago, gemarsh said:

Something is wrong. Unless gm changed something on the refresh.

'21 1500, '22 3500 and '23 2500 will not drop in any gear besides Park.

It definitely drops - I think it is very odd that it does. On my '14, you couldn't even turn on the cargo light while it was in gear to check your cargo at night. On the '23, you can just drop the gate, throttle down and dump your cargo without even stopping.

Kevin0311 · July 21, 2023

my23 chimes and notification on dash tailgate open, have not tried in gear though.

redwngr · July 21, 2023

I could it possibly be getting unlatched in park, but then not drop until it is bumped and jiggled when going down the road?

Mine has a bed cover that is currently adjusted tight enough that the gate will not drop without being given a tug to get it started.

Just a talking suggestion, but I wonder if this is also possible without a cover.

(same cover was installed on my previous truck -- and with it, the gate would unlatch and drop without being given a tug)

Bikerjon · July 22, 2023

On 7/20/2023 at 3:28 PM, gemarsh said:

Something is wrong. Unless gm changed something on the refresh.

'21 1500, '22 3500 and '23 2500 will not drop in any gear besides Park.

gemarsh is right. On my 2021 the gate will not drop in any gear except Park. Must be something wrong.

Jus Cruisin · July 22, 2023

Pretty sure mine will drop in gear. Yes I've had my tailgate down inadvertently while driving a couple of times and I think it released in gear. I will try once I go out this morning. I've also gotten my 4 ways flashing by bumping the buttons putting something in the cubby.

Edited July 22, 2023 by Jus Cruisin

onewheat · July 24, 2023

Mine definitely drops in gear - the last time it happened, I was going about 80 when I put my glasses in that cubby, then got flagged down for my gate being open and cooler sliding out. That's when it all dawned on me what was going on.

rmboswhaler · July 24, 2023

I agree, I assumed that GM would have an override in the Home Screen Settings, but never found it. The same thing has happened to me three times before I figured out that I was accidentally hitting the button on the dash. I fat fingered the "A" (Auto Stop/Start) Button, and hit the tailgate button at the same time. Luckily, I didn't have anything in the bed at the time. Didn't realize until I put truck in reverse and saw a nice picture of the parking lot below me! I too would think that it should only work in Park, or have a lock out on the settings screen!