Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
569 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:tailgate issues across 33 makes and 151 models.
Data updated August 2026
NHTSA ODI component intake brief
ODI category STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
569 filings · 151 models · 33 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS MODERATE 569 ODI rows
- MODELS 151 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 33 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 2.6% 15 crash-flagged
- RANK #197 of 696 categories
- SEV INJURY 2 deaths · 56 injuries
Filing-volume peers
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#197 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (2 reported fatalities across 151 models). Open FORD EXPLORER (category leader) →
The structure:body:tailgate is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 569 filings from 33 manufacturers and 151 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 15 crashes, 1 fire, 56 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 71 filings, followed by DODGE CARAVAN and HONDA ODYSSEY. 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 | FORD EXPLORER | 71 |
| 2 | DODGE CARAVAN | 25 |
| 3 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 23 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 21 |
| 5 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 20 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 18 |
| 7 | FORD F-150 | 14 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET S10 | 14 |
| 9 | FORD F-250 | 12 |
| 10 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 9 |
| 11 | RAM 1500 | 9 |
| 12 | GMC SIERRA | 9 |
| 13 | FORD ESCAPE | 9 |
| 14 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 9 |
| 15 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 9 |
| 16 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 8 |
| 17 | FORD F-350 | 8 |
| 18 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 7 |
| 19 | NISSAN FRONTIER | 6 |
| 20 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 6 |
| 21 | FORD RANGER | 6 |
| 22 | DODGE RAM | 6 |
| 23 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 5 |
| 24 | GMC JIMMY | 5 |
| 25 | FORD F-350 SD | 5 |
| 26 | FORD BRONCO | 5 |
| 27 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 5 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 5 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 5 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | 5 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon opening the liftgate, the liftgate started closing unintendedly and struck the contact on the head. There was no injury sustained. The
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the driver’s hand touched the tailgate button, and the tailgate opened. The contact was concerned
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the contact pressed the tailgate release button on the tailgate, and the tailgate closed and struck the
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler Town And Country Touring. The contact stated that on several occasions while parked and turned off, the tailgate button was depressed from inside of the vehicle, and t
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact looking in the rearview mirror and became aware that the tailgate had opened. The contact pulled over and closed th
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the tailgate detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was
The tailgate has opened randomly on about 4 or 5 occasions most recently the tailgate opened making a right turn while the horse trailer was connected to it and damaged the tailgate. It seems to open
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate would occasionally raise and lower independently even though the tailgate switc
I purchased this car on 7/15/24 and had no problems until 8/8/24 after I took my car through an automatic touchless car wash. Upon exiting the car wash, I noticed that the tailgate was now down even t
Issues- Front and Rear external safety camera system fails to display. Tailgate falls open on its own while in motion. This was a new purchased vehicle off the lot. Yes-Vehicle is available upon req
I had a trailer hooked to my truck. while driving down the road the tailgate came down by it's self. not knoing it was down there was damage to the tailgate $4,400.00 worth risk is not being able to
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while hauling a horse trailer and driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear tailgate door erroneously opened. The contact stated that the fa
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and the contact and his wife were removing groceries from the rear of the vehicle, the tailgate was
Tailgate latching warning is intermittent in indicating if a lift gate is actually left open. This has been a reported issue by multiple users on forums. It’s caused me to have to call airport securit
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing from the garage, the liftgate malfunctioned and opened. The driver opened the driver's side door and stru
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacture
Automatic lift gate not functioning correctly ( maybe during hotter months). Door handle not responsive at times
Related Vehicle Components
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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. Component figures are computed directly from NHTSA complaint data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.