Carlexica

NHTSA recall 04V-129 (04V129000)

structure recall reported March 17, 2004 - about 3,662,211 vehicles affected.

NHTSA campaign number
04V129000
Also written as
04V-129
Manufacturer number
04007
Reported
March 17, 2004
Vehicles affected
~3,662,211
Component
structure

What is being recalled

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Why it is dangerous

ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

The fix (free at any franchised dealer)

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Recall repairs are always free, regardless of vehicle age or where you bought the car. Quote the campaign number 04V-129 when calling a dealer.

Affected 6 models

Cadillac Escalade Ext - 2002, 2003, 2004
Chevrolet Avalanche - 2002, 2003, 2004
Chevrolet Kodiak - 2003, 2004
Chevrolet Silverado - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
GMC Sierra - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
GMC Topkick - 2003, 2004

Each year links to that car's full history: every recall, owner complaints and common problems.

Is YOUR car included? A campaign rarely covers every single vehicle of a model year. Check your exact car by its 17-character VIN with the free VIN decoder and recall check.

Source: NHTSA recall campaign data (public domain), refreshed weekly. See also the latest recall campaigns.