NHTSA complaint: 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
THE CABLES JUST BROKE TODAY ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2000 SILVERADO WHILE I WAS STANDING ON THE TAIL GATE. THE DESCRIPTION IS EXACTLY AS INVESTIGATED IN THE BELOW. *AK MAKE: CHEVROLET MODEL: SILVERADO YEAR: 2000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04005 SUMMARY: ONE OR BOTH OF THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES CAN BREAK DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF METAL FATIGUE AT THE POINT WHERE THE CABLE FLEXES WHEN THE LIFT GATE IS OPENED AND CLOSED. CONCURRENTLY, THE STRENGTH OF THE CABLE DEGRADES OVER TIME DUE TO CORROSION OF THE WIRE STRANDS IN THE SUPPORT CABLES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND CARGO IS BEING LOADED OR UNLOADED, THE TAILGATE CAN TIP DOWNWARD DISPLACING CARGO AND/OR PEOPLE TO THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE MAJORITY OF KNOWN INJURIES HAVE RESULTED FROM THE TAILGATE DOWNWARD TIP. ONE ODI COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE TAILGATE SEPARATED FROM A MOVING VEHICLE. OWNERS CANNOT EASILY DETECT WHETHER THE SUPPORT CABLES ARE DAMAGED OR CORRODED BECAUSE THE CABLES ARE COVERED BY A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHEATH.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation