Holden has announced a recall of 34,432 Commodore utes to repair a faulty tailgate that can spring open while the car is moving.

Fairfax newspapers say this is the fifth recall for General Motors Holden this year, affecting 65,790 Commodores, Captivas, Combos, Cruzes and Daewoos.

Fairfax says it's a staggering figure, considering Holden's sales figures for the first six months of the year show 68,657 vehicles sold.

A Holden spokesman said the ute recall came after two reported failures of the tailgate latch.

The company is recommending owners secure any load until the vehicle can be fixed.

The recall notice for the Holden ute issued to the federal government says 'the tailgate may unlatch when impacted rearward', meaning that whatever is in the tray can fall onto the road while the car is moving, creating a hazard for other road users.

It says: 'A condition can occur under specific operating conditions where the tailgate may unlatch when impacted rearwards with sufficient energy by unsecured objects placed in the rear cargo tray.'

Holden is in the process of contacting the ute owners.

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