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GM Recalls 4 Million Pickups

March 18, 2004
General Motors is recalling about 4 million 2000-2004 model-year full-size pickups worldwide to replace tailgate support cables that may corrode and fracture.

GM Tailgates • GM Recalls Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra Pickups to Fix Tailgate • Feds Probe GM Pickups ... Again • GM Recalls 4 Million Pickups • Pickup Probe Widens --- • Consumer Complaints about GM Tailgates

The models involved are certain 2000-2004 Chevrolet Silverado's and GMC Sierra's built between October 1999 and October 2003. Also, some 2002-04 Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT trucks built between March 2001 and October 2003 are being recalled.

If the cables are corroded, they may fracture when loads are applied to the tailgate. If both cables were to fracture, the tailgate would open an additional ten-degrees, rest on the top surface of the rear bumper, and remain supported by the bumper. The tailgate would drop to a lower position only if the owner had previously removed the rear bumper.

There have been reports of 134 minor injuries related to this condition but no crashes or fatalities.

"While working in the back of my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado I stepped from the bed onto the tailgate. Both support straps on the tailgate broke and I fell onto the crank of my landscape trailer," Dale of Walton, KS, said in a complaint to ConsumerAffairs.com.

"I found that I severely bruised my ribs and whatever other muscles are in the area. I have incurred doctor and hospital charges as well as 2 days off work for myself and one day for my wife," he said.

The recall comes a month after NHTSA announced it was investigating the breaking tailgates. NHTSA spokeswoman Liz Neblett said Thursday that the government will continue to monitor the problem.

GM isn't recalling two vehicles that were part of NHTSA's investigation: the 1999 GMC Sierra and the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.

GM spokesman Jim Schell said the 1999 vehicles have the same cables but their tailgates haven't been breaking at a rate high enough to warrant a recall.

Of the total, about 3.7 million of the vehicles are in the U.S., approximately 325,000 are in Canada, and about 93,000 are in Mexico. The remaining vehicles are outside these countries.

In these models, GM will replace the existing galvanized, braided steel support cables with stainless steel support cables. These replacements will be performed at no cost to the customers.

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