Component

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

569 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:tailgate issues across 33 makes and 151 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

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
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE (this)STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE (thi…569LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCHLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILG…571FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL I…566SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBERSUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSOR…577
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE vs nearest complaint-total 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) →

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE model-concentration reading

The standout signal for structure:body:tailgate is model concentration: Ford Explorer accounts for 71 filings (12.5% of this category) out of 569 total.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Ford Explorer against LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH on filing totals before treating structure:body:tailgate volume as a purchase signal.

569
Complaints
151
Models Affected
15
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Deaths

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

2016 Ford Escape

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

2024 GMC Sierra 1500

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

2023 Honda Odyssey

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

2015 Chrysler Town AND Country

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

2022 BMW X3

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

2024 GMC Sierra 2500

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

2022 Ford F-450 SD

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

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

See attached document for complaint.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Crash

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

2022 Ford F-350 SD

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

2022 Ford F-350 SD

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

2016 Acura MDX

See attached document for complaint

2015 Subaru Outback

See attached document for complaint

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

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

2020 Ford Explorer

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

2018 Ford Explorer

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

2018 Ford Escape

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

2022 Hyundai Santa FE

Automatic lift gate not functioning correctly ( maybe during hotter months). Door handle not responsive at times

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.