Signs of a Bad or Faulty Rear Door Lock Assembly

Common symptoms include a non-functioning power lock, a tailgate lock that does not latch, and a tailgate lock cylinder that does not turn.

If you own a truck and want to make sure the contents you store in the back of the truck stay safe, one of your options is to get a trunk cover. From there, you can use the tailgate lock assembly to lock it tightly and keep your contents safe. Your cover, which may also be referred to as a truck bed cover, can be hard or soft as the tailgate lock assembly will work with both.

The lock assembly is made up of a series of mechanical parts that work together to latch onto your truck's tailgate handle. There is a cylinder where you insert a key and turn it to lock or unlock the mechanism. Sometimes this build starts to crash or stops working, which means you won't be able to lock your stuff or you won't be able to open it. You may not want to try to replace the tailgate lock assembly yourself, as it can be difficult. Instead, you can have a mechanic inspect and replace the tailgate lock assembly for you.

Here are a few common signs of a bad or faulty tailgate lock assembly that you can look out for:

1. Power lock does not work

If you have a power tailgate locking system, you should be able to press a button to lock/unlock it. If you click a button and nothing happens, the blocking node may not be working properly. Make sure the batteries in your remote are working before assuming it's a blocking node.

2. The trunk lock does not latch

If you can "lock" the cylinder but it does not latch, then the assembly is most likely the problem. There is a good chance that you will have to replace it.

3. Rear door lock cylinder does not turn

You may have inserted the key into the cylinder and cannot turn it to unlock/lock. This is another sign that the tailgate lock needs to be replaced.

Blocking assembly maintenance

To keep your tailgate lock assembly in good working order, it is recommended that you clean and lubricate it at the recommended service intervals.

The tailgate lock assembly on your truck gives you the ability to lock your belongings and keep them safe at all times. Unfortunately, the blocking node can fail over time, which requires replacement.