Rusted License Plate Weld-Nut

[bg1427]

Somehow, the rear license plate weld-nut has rusted out of the tailgate. Not just the nut, but the metal area the nut is welded to. Now there is a rusty hole about the size of a quarter in this area.
I've looked at the parts diagrams pretty thoroughly, but short of removing the interior panel, I cannot tell if this is a replaceable part (license light garnish assly 74890-S9V-A00ZP) or if it's part of the main tailgate 'body'.
Anybody have any knowledge of this? I'd like to save myself some time & labor by not having to take off the interior tailgate panel.
Thanks

[rocky]

Looking at the parts picture #15 is the part you list.

Looks to me that the only way to remove it is to take the inner panel off to get to the nuts that hold #17 and 22.

[bg1427]

Yes, I know I will have to remove the panel to get to it. I was hoping someone would have firsthand knowledge if it's a replaceable part (#15) or if it's something that rusted off of the main tailgate structure. The guy at the body shop said he could repair by welding/bodywork/painting, as he thought it was part of the main tailgate, not a replaceable part.
Of course, the dealership is closed for the holiday or I would have checked w/ them.

[SD16]

I would pull the part and have it repaired/painted. The painted area would be obscured by the plate anyway. This of course depends on the cost to repair vs the cost of a new part.