2006 silverado 1500 tailgate won't latch

SOURCE: Latch won't lock when closing tailgate 2004 Silverado

most likely a broken spring inside latch

SOURCE: 1992 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate wont latch

latches for this are on the sides. The are connected by the handle in the middle of the gate. Latches are either stuck open (dry or frozen open) or stuck closed and you are banging on them when trying to close and "latch" gate. Get a screwdriver and while pulling up on tailgate handle make sure latches(on gate) are open to engage "striker bolt". If they are spray them liberally with WD40 or silicone SPRAY. latch and open several times to let lubricant attack rusted area on mechanism.

If latches won't open they may be stuck closed and won't open because cable going from middle handle to that side or both sides is disconnected. Does tailgate have star shaped bolts on "inside-bed-when-closed" side? If so you will need to spray these with WD40 and let set then get a star torques bit and remove them to access middle handle actuator.

SOURCE: tailgate on chevy 1500 z71 silverado won't open

on the handle there is a clip holding the rod one each side could have come off. or the hole where it goes is broke. u can get aftermarket any parts store

SOURCE: broken tailgate latch

Remove the paneling from inside. Than you can use a flathead screwdriver to pry the latch rod and latch enough to pop open the door.

SOURCE: the tailgate latch on our 2006 Chevy truck is in the open positio

i closed the tail gate on my 2006 chevy 1500 seril pick-up truck and now it does'nt open