Component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
571 NHTSA complaints about latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch issues across 31 makes and 139 models.
The latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 571 filings from 31 manufacturers and 139 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 9 crashes, 1 fire, 47 injuries, and 1 fatality. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET SILVERADO with 48 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and CHEVROLET S10. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 48 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 | 29 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET S10 | 29 |
| 4 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 24 |
| 5 | DODGE CARAVAN | 23 |
| 6 | FORD EXPLORER | 22 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 22 |
| 8 | FORD F-350 | 21 |
| 9 | RAM 1500 | 16 |
| 10 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 13 |
| 11 | FORD F-250 | 13 |
| 12 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 12 |
| 13 | GMC SIERRA | 11 |
| 14 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 11 |
| 15 | GMC SONOMA | 10 |
| 16 | FORD RANGER | 10 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 | 10 |
| 18 | VOLVO V70 | 9 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | 9 |
| 20 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 8 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 8 |
| 22 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 6 |
| 23 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 6 |
| 24 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 6 |
| 25 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 6 |
| 26 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 5 |
| 27 | FORD ESCAPE | 5 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 5 |
| 29 | RAM 2500 | 4 |
| 30 | FORD WINDSTAR | 4 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened independently, and the tailgate was manually closed. The contact stated that the nex
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate was constantly opening unintendedly. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was parked overnight, causing th
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after activating the 4WD in the driveway and going onto the road, while in 4WD and driving 35 MPH, the transfer case began mak
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tailgate opened unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was i
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate independently unlatched. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnos
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the liftgate had failed to open or to close intermittently. The contact stated that the liftgate made an abnormal grinding sound whil
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the tailgate unexpectedly opened while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate could be opened manually or with the key fob. The cont
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate was occasionally opened unexpectedly while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer w
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that water was entering the tailgate. After taking the vehicle to the car wash, the tailgate became ajar. No waning lights were ill
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact felt a thump and observed a loud noise simultaneously coming from the rear of the vehicle
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while attempting to open his garage door, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound. The contact then observed that the tailgate of the
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after power washing the vehicle, the tailgate opened unexpectedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact used
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a utility trailer, the contact stated that upon making a left turn, the tailgate opene
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separ
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a trailer, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact drove the
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate had failed to open. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tailgate latch had failed and n
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after arriving to her destination, the contact became aware that the tailgate was unintendedly lowered. While attempting to cl
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the rear tailgate of the vehicle, and the tailgate inadvertently closed on the c
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 91 MPH, the vehicle was shaking erratically. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; h
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate latch independently unlocked. The contact stated that the failure had occurred
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch issues? ▼
How dangerous are latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch problems? ▼
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.