General Motors has issued a “Stop Sale” and safety recall affecting specific models of the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks, spanning the model years 2020 to 2024. This announcement, designated by GM recall number N232426400, addresses a defect related to the power-unlatching tailgates of these vehicles, which could potentially compromise the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road users.

Affected Vehicles

The recall specifically targets the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD series models equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. This includes MultiPro and MultiFlex Tailgates.  Owners of these models should manually verify whether their vehicle falls within the scope of this recall.

Nature of the Issue Causing the Stop Sale & Recall

The issue stems from the possibility of water infiltration into the tailgate’s electronic components. This happens because of two drain holes located in the top of the tailgate meant to prevent water from collecting, but instead, allows water to get inside the tailgate. This water can lead to a short circuit within the gate-release switch, causing the tailgate to unexpectedly unlatch while the vehicle is parked. Such an incident poses a significant risk, as an unsecured tailgate could lead to the unintended release of cargo, creating potential road hazards and elevating the likelihood of accidents.

Last Fall, GM had previously issued a Technical Service Bulletin addressing the need for new parts for tailgate switches for exactly this problem.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Owners may notice the tailgate opening without intervention, a clear indication of the defect. It’s crucial for vehicle owners to observe their tailgate’s behavior and report any unexpected opening to a certified dealer.

Remedial Measures

General Motors has committed to rectifying this issue by replacing the exterior touchpad switch assemblies of the affected vehicles. However, it’s important to note that the necessary parts for this repair are not immediately available. GM is actively working with suppliers to secure these components, and affected vehicle owners will be notified when the remedy is available for implementation.

Safety Precautions

Until the recall repairs are conducted, vehicle owners are urged to manually ensure their tailgate is securely latched before commencing any journey. This precautionary measure is vital to prevent potential accidents or cargo loss. Dealers currently cannot sell any affected pickups for sale in new vehicle inventory or used inventory. Currently, around 1,800 new Silverado HD and Sierra HD are in new vehicle inventory that are affected by this stop sale & recall. There may be tens of thousands of vehicles affected by this recall on the road and sold to customers.

Owner Guidance

The cost of the repair will be covered by General Motors, ensuring that owners will not bear any financial burden for the rectification of this defect. While the permanent fix is pending, owners can verify if their vehicle is implicated in the recall by checking their VIN on the GM Owner Center website or through the NHTSA’s recall lookup tool.

For those in immediate concern or requiring further assistance, GM is offering courtesy transportation for owners of affected vehicles that are still within their warranty period. This gesture aims to minimize inconvenience and ensure the safety of all GM customers.

Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD Recall – What Can Owners Do Right Now?

Vehicle owners are encouraged to take immediate action by verifying their vehicle’s involvement in the recall and adhering to the recommended precautions until the defect is fully rectified. For the most current information and further instructions, affected owners should stay in touch with their local dealers or visit the official GM website for updates.

Owners can visit https://experience.gm.com/ownercenter/recalls to check if there Silverado HD or Sierra HD is part of this recall.

Here’s the Official Frequently Asked Questions Document For This Stop Sale / Recall

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Safety Recall N232426400
Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly

Q1) Which vehicles are involved?
A1) General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in
certain 2020 – 2024 model year Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty (2500/3500 series) and
GMC Sierra Heavy Duty (2500/3500 series) vehicles equipped with power-unlatching
tailgates.

Q2) What is the issue or condition?
A2) Under certain conditions water may intrude into these vehicles’ tailgates and come into
contact with the electronic gate-release switch, potentially causing a short circuit. The
gate may inadvertently unlatch while the vehicle is in Park.

Q3) What symptoms may be experienced? What warning signs may be associated with
the issue or condition described?
A3) Customers may notice the tailgate has inadvertently opened.

Q4) What is the remedy/repair?
A4) Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies.

Q5) What is the safety risk? Is the vehicle safe to drive?
A5) If the driver does not manually close the gate before beginning a drive, cargo in the bed
of the truck may exit the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Until the recall is completed, owners should check that the tailgate closed and latched
before driving.

Q6) Does the customer have to pay for this remedy/repair?
A6) No, this inspection/repair will be done at no cost to the customer.

Q7) Is the remedy/repair available now?
A7) No, when a remedy is available and/or sufficient quantity of parts are available, the recall
bulletin will be released, and dealers can begin repairing vehicles.

Q8) What should customers do until recall repairs can be completed? Are there any
special instructions?
A8) If special instructions are provided, they will be included in the notification letters to
customers. Until the recall is completed, owners should check that the tailgate closed
and latched before driving.

Q9) How can customers check to see if their vehicle is involved in this field action?
A9) Customers who own a vehicle involved in the field action will be notified by mail by
General Motors, but they may also check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for
field actions in GM Owner Center at https://experience.gm.com/ownercenter/recalls or
via NHTSA’s website at https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/.

Q10) If customers are concerned, can they get a rental car or courtesy transportation?
A10) Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in this
recall and are within the warranty coverage period for the warranty which is associated with this recall