Owners of 2015 Ram 1500s started complaining a year ago about tailgates having a mind of their own and opening while people were driving.
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Now this would scare the daylights out of you, owners of 2015 Ram 1500s report that their tailgates are falling open while they are driving. When I looked up the problem, I found some drivers reporting it when their trucks were brand new.
A California driver, who calls himself Saturn, says “My tailgate opens on its own about once a week. Anyone else have this problem?”
Burk, from Alabama, says he was able to fix his 2016 Ram 1500. “You can adjust the pins that the gate latches to, I've had to adjust mine because it would open on its own.”
Saturn asks for a better clue. Horse tells him, “I think he's talking about the posts that stick out from where the taillights are when the tailgate is opened. They have a torx head IIRC.”
Saturn tries it but it doesn’t solve the problem. “It still opens, I've adjusted it about ten times, and it still opens. One time I set alarm and tail gate opened. It happens about once every three days. Sucks. I'm going to lose some equipment soon.”
Beach, from Long Island, says he has had the problem repeatedly as well. “I have the same issue. Had my 2015 Ram 1500 for 16 months and this just started happening a month ago. Last Thursday had the dealer replace all parts, and yesterday the tailgate dropped after hitting a bump. Frustrating.”
Graphic, from Indiana, says it seems to be happening more frequently. “Yeah, frustrating as all get out... Got it twice today. Seems for me it is the little bumps at low speed that do it. I don't see how unlocking or locking it has any effect. I think it is something to do with latch alignment. It's a little embarrassing, like my pants just dropped or something.”
An owner from Houston says the dealers seem to be aware of the problem. “My 2015 1500's tailgate would open on its own too. I noticed that when it opened I wouldn't have to pull on the handle to get it to "unlock" before I closed it which implied that it wasn't slipping off the posts, the latch mechanism itself was coming unlatched. The truck is still under warranty so I took it to the dealer about a month ago and they fixed it same day... unfortunately they didn't tell me exactly what was wrong other than they "fixed" the latch mechanism.”
Graphic says he was able to get the dealer to fix his under warranty also. “Update. Picked truck up today. They replaced the locking actuator. This makes sense since this would always happen after initial start and take off. They said this was known problem.”
Dew, from Florida, is furious. “So my tailgate has fallen automatically while driving a few times. The last time was the worst because I didn't know it fell and I was towing my boat. The tailgate got destroyed when I took a turn and it bound on the tongue jack. Definitely not thrilled about the situation but the dealer acts as if it will be no big deal to get it repaired. Makes me sick because to me, the truck will never be the same!”
Beach says the dealer is trying again to fix his truck. “Went back last night to the Service Department, mentioned that maybe the problem is the Lock Actuator needless to say I'm going back on Friday. Part was ordered. All under warranty, but my problem is why didn't they change this the second time I was in? All other hardware was changed?”
Graphic says that he hasn’t had any further problems. “Mine always seemed to do it after taking off after parked somewhere. Been fine since actuator was replaced.”
It sounds as if it is the Lock Actuator is the problem and that the dealers should be aware of it. Different fixes seem to solve the problem temporarily, but eventually many of the actuators need to be replaced.
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We have a 2016 RAM1500 and
We have a 2016 RAM1500 and our tailgate opens in its own about 2-3 times a week. We have only had it a year. This is concerning
I have been having this
I have been having this problem with my 2016 Ram as well, and took some time this weekend to find the cause. My tailgate sometimes opens when the lock is actuated. I can make the tailgate eventually open by cycling the lock repeatedly.
The cause is poor material choices in the lock design. They used plastic as the material on the lock mechanism, and the plastic hard-stops on a steel post protruding from the manual lock every time it cycles. The result is a slight dent in the plastic, which results in the mechanism sometimes traveling too far and unlatching the tailgate. They could have gotten by with the shoddy materials by dampening the force of the solenoid which actuates the lock.
I've temporarily fixed the problem by sliding a piece of plastic tubing over the steel post on the manual lock, but I have an appointment at the dealer to look at it.
If all they do is replace the mechanism, I'll have to dampen the action of the actuator solenoid myself or it'll just happen again.
Sam, did they fix your issue
Sam, did they fix your issue back in June? If so, curious what they did.. Also, did they acknowledge the issues people are having.. My dealer plays dumb and said they never heard of it..
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 and
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 and just started experiencing my tailgate drop about 1 month ago. It happened twice in a 3 week period. Now it happens several times a day depending on how many times the power locks are activated. I can actually get it to unlock as well by cycling the power lock mechanism. Only happens in the "lock" mode. I contacted my dealership and made a appointment. The service tech told me it's happening more frequently and they have a kit to fix it. My problem is I have 44,000 miles in my truck. 8,000 miles over warranty. So I was told it's going to cost me $267.00 out the door. When's the problem big enough for Chrysler to generate a recall?
Busguy, I had mine repaired
Busguy, I had mine repaired yesterday, under warranty by Ram. I'm in Georgia and Palmer Dodge took care of it for me. It's only been a day but given it was happening 15 or so times a week since last year and not once since yesterday it's a good sign. The tailgate assembly latch has to be replaced and the dealer experienced this issue themselves on several vehicles.. Ram knows it is a problem. Call customer care at 1-800- 726-4636. I logged a complaint last week with them. This issue needs to be corrected via recall.
we have a 2017 dodge ram and
we have a 2017 dodge ram and having the same thing happening with our vehicle, dealership acts like they don't know whats going on took it there twice. We are in conyers, ga when you logged your complaint did they give you any special instructions on which dealership to go to?
It is a commmon problem with
It is a commmon problem with the latch mechnism get replaced before your warranty runs out
I have been having this issue
I have been having this issue on my 2016 Eco Diesel. the dealer tells me they have never heard of this issue at all and when I showed the service manager print outs from RAM forums he told me that those didn't mean anything and that RAM would never let a problem like that go unfixed. It happens about once a week, most times after it has been parked but twice it opened while in a parking lot, I would come out of a store and it would be open. Another time I only noticed it was open as I looked out the mirror and saw my stuff falling out the back. Love my truck, hate the tailgate.
I'm having the same problem
I'm having the same problem with my 2016 1500. In the last three weeks the tailgate has fallen 12 times. I took it into the dealer this morning they drove it stopped it drove it stopped it over 10 miles and it never happened so they called me to tell me my truck was ready with no work being done. They said they had never heard of this issue and when I told them that it's all over the Internet in different ram forms they said "we don't look at the forums", They only by the STAR reports through dodge/Chrysler.
They are lying sacks.. They
They don't ever fix an issue.. I'm truly not liking RAM Trucks now.
I have a 2017 Ram 3500 and
I have a 2017 Ram 3500 and today my tailgate dropped open for no reason. Problem is I was pulling a trailer and when it came down it hit the jack and broke my handle and dented the tailgate. It did it three more times after that and seemed to do it at low speed when door locks activated. Any one else having this problem?
I have a 2016 dodge ram rebel
I have a 2016 dodge ram rebel and its tailgate opens by itself when driving and sometimes when it is parked. So i dont know what to do
Took care of the tailgate
Took care of the tailgate issue by limiting the inward throw of the actuator with a small piece of heavy rubber.
15 times in one week, I
15 times in one week, I counted. Had it in to Ram. Can't identify the issue..
Mine is doing it also. 2016
Mine is doing it also. 2016 Ram 1500. I bought a receiver extension to be on the safe side side so it won’t damage the tailgate when I’m pulling my trailer. Saturday I had some 2x4x8 in the bed and when I took off the gate cam open and the 2x4 slid right out on the road. I had them tied but when the gate came open that caused slack in my rope. I use my truck for buisiness and have 80K miles so I am out of warranty now.
My tailgate on my 2016 Ram 4
My tailgate on my 2016 Ram 4 x4 just fell while I was driving with my trailer hooked up and now the tailgate is messed up!
I have a 2017 RAM my tailgate
I have a 2017 RAM my tailgate had fallen about 2 months ago. I too was pulling my trailer left a dent where it hit jack. Today sitting in a parking lot I locked doors with key fob a BAM it fell again. Good thing I was far enough away from the car behind me.. Is this a dealer issue an if so should they repair my tailgate dent..
Same problem happened to my
Same problem happened to my 2016 ram 2500 I called customer service at Chrysler (had a very nice representative) Chrysler knows now after three months of investigating what the problem is (module in the locking mechanism in your tailgate is faulty) it’s not your fault the tailgate came open and got damaged so Chrysler covered all costs (repair and body shop) no problem since work was done in August 2017
Thank You and have a great day - Dave
I had same problem with my 15
I had same problem with my 15 ram.
After 3 times they finally fixed the problem
First replaced pins
Then side latches to pins
Then complete lock and guts
Very frustrating with stuff flying out of back
Said they never saw this issue?
I found out the problem is
I found out the problem is not only with 2015 Ram 1500’s ........ I have a 2016 Ram 2500 that has been doing the same thing for the last 5 months ...... one day I was “LOCKING” my truck with the Key fob and the tail gate “FELL OPEN”
...... I play with the fob lhitting the “LOCK BUTTON” several more times and the tailgate opened again and again ........ the tailgate is not opening because of going down the road - it’s opening as the key fob is locking your truck - when you leave where you stopped at gravity or the first bump in the road take over and the tailgate falls open - contact Chrysler customer service and tell them to look up my repair case at Preston Dodge, New Castle, Pa (repair to be done on / Red 2500 heavy duty 4x4 on Tuesday November 14, 2017) I only solved the mystery my luck as I was walking behind the vehicle when I push the lock button and it happened - Good Luck all - Dave
GO TO SETTINGS ON THE RADIO
GO TO SETTINGS ON THE RADIO AND GO TO DOORS AND LOCKS AND SHUT OFF AUTO LOCK.THAT IS THE FIX.IT IS THE AUTO LOCK THAT TRIGGERS THE TAILGATE TO OPEN
Same thing happened to my
Same thing happened to my truck. They fixed it. Next day, fell down again when turning a corner. Dodge Corporation said it's not their problem. They said I'm not shutting it correctly. They haven't heard about this happening to anyone else. I asked if they read the internet articles of complaints and they said they don't read it. I am done with Dodge. This truck is going back.
I called also they made it
I called also they made it seem like they never had any reports of this happening before, I am really frustrated with this !
The tailgate on my 2016 Dodhe
The tailgate on my 2016 Dodhe Ram 1500 opens on its own also. I can be driving at any speed and it falls open. I am really frustrated because this pickup is not cheap!!! You would think they would make quality vehicles at this price. I really wish the fix was easy- it shouldn’t happen on a brand new pickup. It had less than 50 miles when I bought it. Very disappointed. I hope it never hurts anyone.
My 2016 is doing the same.
My 2016 is doing the same. There is no pattern. It's actually popped open while running in park. I believe there is a defect of some sort and Chrysler needs to fix it.
My 2016 is doing the same.
My 2016 is doing the same. There is no pattern. It's actually popped open while running in park. I believe there is a defect of some sort and Chrysler needs to fix it.
I have a 2017 Ram 1500 the
I have a 2017 Ram 1500 the tailgate opens by itself while I'm driving I always have the truck locked and the tailgate locks with the remote. I unlock it with remote control get in then drive the tailgate slams open scaring the shit out of me. This happens 3 times a week it doesn't happen every time I open it. The dealer said i have to record it because they don't want to replace parts if they don't know what's wrong this started on 5/2/18 and it's still happening
I never post but thought I
I never post but thought I should share.
My beautiful 2017 Ram Sport has same tailgate problem. It has only happened 3 times thus far. First time I thought possibly my fault, hit lock button and bang!! I wouldn’t care except 2 of the 3 times this has happened I had my trailer hooked up and it destroyed my tailgate. Missed camera both times but huge dent. If my truck was lifted higher then it would not be a problem for me because tailgate would clear my trailer. I have warranty and extended warranty so dealer can fix but they will not fix my dent. If this truly is a known problem since 2015, I think it should have been fixed by now and since it hasn’t I feel my dent should be fixed. This problem started within the last month so I assume my tailgate will be dropping more frequently. I don’t want to pay body work every time this latch fails.