March 10, 2006
General Motors is recalling 805,368 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks because of weak tailgate support cables according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall involves 1999-2000 models of both brands. The cables used to support the tailgate can corrode and fracture, NHTSA reported on its Web site.
A spokesman for GM said the galvanized steel cables were protected with a plastic coating but water has been found to get in the coating and cause the cable to corrode and snap when the tailgate is down.
GM reports there have been 84 injuries because of the corroded cables, most of them minor scrapes and bumps.
Owners will receive letters in April and the tailgate cable will be replaced with a stainless steel cable.
