About this problem
Some pickups have power or split tailgates with electric latches. A water leak into the latch wiring or a faulty switch can tell the latch to open by itself. Owners report tailgates dropping open while driving, sometimes spilling cargo onto the road. Recalls have covered this on some trucks.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ram 1500 since 2012, 193 (1.7%) describe tailgate opening by itself, the second most reported problem we track on the 1500. The reports cluster on the 2015, 2016 and 2020 model years, and the 2020 drew the most, with 29. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 18,000 and 55,000 miles. 13 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 3 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Ram 1500 owners report the tailgate opening on its own, sometimes while driving and dumping cargo onto the road. Ram recalled hundreds of thousands of trucks with power tailgate releases for this problem.
How it gets fixed
The recall fix updates or replaces the tailgate release wiring and actuators.
Typical cost: Recall repairs are free.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Fca issued a software update known at "aem" after they lost their class action lawsuit. I had my truck updated on 5/29/19 with the "aem", rotary shift autopark recall update, the seat belt recall update, airbag recall update, and the tailgate recall update."
2015 Ram 1500, 65,000 miles
"Tailgate is unlatching and falling open. Tailgate when closed is securely closed does not move. While locking and unlocking the doors and tailgate several times, tailgate becomes loose. Tailgate now becomes movable with one hand."
2016 Ram 1500, 20,674 miles
"I drove the vehicle and the tailgate was not properly latched. The vehicle is equipped with a tailgate ajar warning light, but it is disabled by the manufacturer."
2020 Ram 1500, 500 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Ram has sent dealers 54 bulletins that mention this problem on the 1500. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Power Tailgate Latch Will Not Open Or Close, Tailgate Ajar Light On When Tailgate Is Close Customers may experience one or more of the following: Power tailgate not opening or closing intermittently.
Cluster Message To Operate Tailgate Shift to Park Vehicle is In Park
Switch - Tailgate Handle Prior to replacing the Tailgate Handle Switch, please review MasterTech Article - Tailgate Handle Inoperative.
Tailgate Ajar Indicator Light Is On And Or High Effort Required To Close And Latch The Tailgate
The Tailgate Ajar Warning Lamp Does Not Illuminate
(Revision D) Tailgate Ajar Indicator Light Is On And Or High Effort Required To Close And Latch The Tailgate
Before you buy a 1500
- Check by VIN for the tailgate recall.
- Open and close the tailgate several times with the button and the handle.
- Check that it locks fully.
Questions
Which Ram 1500 years have tailgate opening by itself?
Complaints are highest for the 2015, 2016, 2020 model years. The 2020 drew the most, with 29 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 37,000 miles, and half reported it between 18,000 and 55,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Recall repairs are free.