Tailgate cables

BlackSilver · March 30, 2004

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. on Thursday announced it was recalling about four million 2000-04 full-size pickups worldwide to replace tailgate support cables that may corrode and fracture.

There have been reports of 134 minor injuries but no crashes or fatalities because of the problem, the automaker said. GM said it has been cooperating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on an investigation of tailgate support cables.

If the cables corrode, they may fracture when loads are applied to the tailgate. If both cables fracture, the tailgate would open an additional 10 degrees, resting on the top surface of the rear bumper.

The tailgate would drop to a lower position only if the owner had previously removed the rear bumper.

Last month, NHTSA said it was investigating reports that tailgates were falling off the back of General Motors Corp. pickup trucks without warning. In one case, a tailgate separated from a moving vehicle. In another, the tailgate broke as a consumer was loading an all-terrain vehicle onto his pickup.

“Working with our internal feedback system and NHTSA, we were able to act quickly on this issue,” Kevin Williams, vice president of GM North America Quality, said in a statement. “Our priorities are to ensure that our customers are aware of this field action and provide the replacement cables in as timely a manner as possible.”

Of the total, about 3.7 million of the vehicles are in the United States, 325,000 are in Canada, 93,000 are in Mexico and the remaining are in other countries.

The models involved are certain 2000-04 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras built between October 1999 and October 2003. Also, some 2002-04 Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT trucks built between March 2001 and October 2003 are being recalled.

GM will replace the existing galvanized, braided steel cables with stainless steel cables. Customers will be notified by GM in phases because replacement cables will not be available immediately for all vehicles.

The replacements will be performed at no cost to the customers. Until the repair can be made, GM said it will advise owners to avoid applying direct loads to the tailgate until the cables can be inspected.