Gladiator Tailgate opening by itself

[skipper741]

Twice in the last week - my tailgate has opened on its own.

Anyone have similar issues?

Am I missing something simple?

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[ZTMAN]

Never had that happen. Start with the simple things first. Check you latches for debris or obstructions and lube them up. If that does not address the issue, off to the dealer.

 

[skipper741]

Never had that happen. Start with the simple things first. Check you latches for debris or obstructions and lube them up. If that does not address the issue, off to the dealer.

Yup - definitely did that. No obstructions.

I locked the latch today to see if that helps - but very odd that it opens on its own.

 

[Digger70]

It might be possessed. Check and see if anyone died while building it at the factory. If so, then contact a catholic priest who has experience in exorcisms.

 

[skipper741]

It might be possessed. Check and see if anyone died while building it at the factory. If so, then contact a catholic priest who has experience in exorcisms.

I'm not so sure my darling better half didn't put a voodoo curse on it - as she often refers to my Jeep's as "the other woman."

 

[Bjeepz]

I notice that I often think my tailgate is closed but it is not quite fully latched, seems to need a bit more of a slam shut then my last truck bed.

 

[LostWoods]

I notice that I often think my tailgate is closed but it is not quite fully latched, seems to need a bit more of a slam shut then my last truck bed.

I've noticed the same and the right side will stick out like the latch alignment is off. If I proper close it there's no issues.

I suspect it's the fact the rubber stoppers are new and stiff... likely less an issue over time.

 

[Bjeepz]

I've noticed the same and the right side will look out of alignment if I don't get it right. If I proper close it there's no issues.

That’s how I 1st noticed mine also, right side looked not quite right

 

[Factoid]

Have you tried closing it like you normally do and then pushing/pulling vigorously on the top to see if you can make it open? I sounds like a latch adjustment issue to me.

 

[Walldo]

Mine did it once, figured out it was operator error.

 

[whiteglad]

Some recent Rams had that problem. A limiting tab could break off the latching mechanism. They have a recall (V44) for it, and a limiting bushing is the fix, I think.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I had it happen once. Dropped about $125 at Home Depot. Stuck the bags in the back under the tonneau cover. When I got home and started to back in the drive is when I noticed something wrong in the back-up camera. Quite an “OH SHISKI” feeling! Luck was on my side, though. The Line-X kept everything in place. I figured I just didn’t close it firmly enough.

Now when I put stuff in the back I have a habit of closing the tail gate pretty hard and checking the back-up cam after a mile or so.

 

[mazeppa]

Had it happen once, may have closed it to softly, now I firmly shut the tailgate and check to make sure it is securely closed.

 

[Tourenwagen]

Had it happen once too and it missed hitting my garage door by a ball hair. My heart dropped because I thought the top edge of the tailgate was going to be dented and scratched up but it was good.

 

[Commodus]

Had it happen once too and it missed hitting my garage door by a ball hair. My heart dropped because I thought the top edge of the tailgate was going to be dented and scratched up but it was good.

I have not mine open but did notice that the right side was not sitting as flush to the rear quarter as the left side did. I opened and closed the tail gate, checking for it to click the right latch all was good, locked vehicle and checked to see if I could pull open-nope, then finally before I went to adjusting the striker I just closed the tailgate with some force- that worked even my soft tonneau cover fits tight that it can't just be lifted. Lesson learned.

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