Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
959 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments issues across 29 makes and 147 models.
The structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 959 filings from 29 manufacturers and 147 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 2 crashes, 0 fires, 139 injuries, and 11 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET S10 with 211 filings, followed by CHEVROLET SILVERADO and GMC SONOMA. 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 S10 | 211 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 166 |
| 3 | GMC SONOMA | 72 |
| 4 | GMC SIERRA | 57 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 42 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | 35 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 24 |
| 8 | DODGE CARAVAN | 20 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET S PICKUP | 15 |
| 10 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 14 |
| 11 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 13 |
| 12 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 12 |
| 13 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 12 |
| 14 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 12 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 | 10 |
| 16 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 9 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET C/K PICKUPS | 9 |
| 18 | NISSAN FRONTIER | 8 |
| 19 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 8 |
| 20 | FORD RANGER | 8 |
| 21 | FORD AEROSTAR | 7 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 6 |
| 23 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 4 |
| 24 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 4 |
| 25 | GMC SIERRA 2500 | 4 |
| 26 | GMC PICKUP | 4 |
| 27 | FORD F-150 | 4 |
| 28 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 4 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET S SERIES | 4 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET C1500 | 4 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate and the hood unintendedly lowered after being raised and struck the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while the tailgate was closing automatically, her grandson's finger was at the upper closing point of the tailgate; however, the tailgate
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power liftgate failed to close as needed. The contact was able to manually close the liftgate. Additionally, the roof was leaking nea
Hello My car car is the same year as the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V623000 recall and my spoiler has started separating but am being told from Land Rover that my VIN isnât in the racall even though i
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate inadvertently opened, then closed independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicl
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated she experienced failure with the trunk and key fob on several occasions. The contact stated that the trunk failed to open while using the key fob
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated there was space between the subframe and the dump body; due to hinge failure which caused the body to move from side to side. There
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK FORD (540 SOUTHERN ARTERY,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES WERE FRACTURED ON THE TAILGATE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBURBAN FORD OF STERLING HEIGHTS AT 586-268-7500 (LOCATED AT 4033
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BUTTON TO OPERATE THE TAILGATE, THE TAILGATE OPENED, BUT THEN SUDDENLY CLOSED AS THE LIFTS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ARMADA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING WASHED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TAILGATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES WEAKENED, EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION, AND PARTIALLY FRACTURED. IN 2
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE GETTING CARGO OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE CLOSED AND LOCKED AND FAILED TO RETRACT AND REOPEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR GLASS HINGES WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE TAILGATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W
I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH
THE TAILGATE STRUTS BROKE WHILE THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN, STRIKING ME IN MY BACK. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY, BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED AND I WAS GIVEN NO VALID REASON AS TO
RE: TAILGATE/ STRUT FAILURE I WAS OUT SHOPPING AND AT MY LAST STOP THE TAILGATE WAS SUDDENLY VERY HARD TO OPEN. I HAD A LARGE CART OF GROCERIES AND IT WAS RAINING, SO I RAISED IT UP WITH ONE HAND, BU
TAIL GATE FALLS AFTER LIFTED, EITHER MANUALLY OR VIA POWER. STRUTS NOT HOLDING IN UP POSITION, RESULTING IN TAIL GATE CRASHING DOWN, POTENTIALLY WHILE BENT OVER INSIDE TO LOAD CARGO. *TR
I DISCOVERED MULTIPLE SEVERED WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR
THE TAILGATE OPENED AND ONCE IT WAS COMPLETELY OPEN IT FELL SUDDENLY A FEW FEET AND WITHOUT WARNING. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS ON MULTIPLE TIMES.
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.