Back in October 2019, GM recalled 2019 and 2020 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups ordered with the tri-fold tonneau bed cover. Owners were given a tether kit for better securing the tonneau. Also, GM provided more detailed instructions for installation, along with extra warning stickers. That should have been the end of Silverado and Sierra owners’ problems with the tonneau. But such was not the case. A second recall was issued in April 2020 for the same problem. Today, more trucks are wrapped into the recall for the same issues, but with a twist.

Why has GM issued three Silverado recalls for the same thing?

These latest trucks being recalled were forgotten in the first round of recalls. That’s right, GM missed these trucks because the tonneau covers were dealer-installed as an accessory item. The “Truck Hero” covers face the same issue as the factory-installed tonneaus. These covers also fit on 2500 and 3500 trucks, though the factory versions were only available on 1500 Silverado pickups. 

The attachment points for the covers worked loose, separating the tonneau from the bed. This happened recently to a Canadian Silverado owner. The incident is what initiated this latest recall round.

But the other reason is that once notified, a GM Canada engineer reported the problem through GM’s “Speak Up For Safety” campaign. The report questions how this could happen when the truck in question was not part of the first recall. GM opened an investigation to determine what happened.

How many Silverado trucks are involved this time?

It found that there were over 1,200 tonneau covers that were never part of the recall. Also, GM sold some of these trucks with the tonneaus as used. These trucks also slipped past the original recall. The first recall involved 15,000 Silverado and Sierra trucks. 

The new recall-the third one for this issue involves removing and replacing the tonneau rails and clamps. GM also includes a tether. Owner instructions for attaching the covers are also part of the package. There are three different versions of the Truck Hero tonneau covers, with 20 different part numbers. We’re not sure why?

This isn’t the only recall for things flying off of Silverado and Sierra trucks

The NHTSA recall numbers are 19E-066 for the first one and 20E-024 for the second one. This third recall is number 22E-029. Recall notices will go out in mid-May. Until then, keep your eyes on the cover if you have one of these tonneau covers.

Coincidentally, this isn’t the first recall for things flying off of Silverado and Sierra trucks. About a year ago the NHTSA issued a recall for hoods flying off of these trucks. Malfunctioning hood latches were the culprit for this recall, which affected 2020 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models. Hood assemblies were replaced free of charge, as is the case for the tonneau covers.