Lift Gate
Senior Member
Joined: 06-10-2006
Posts: 141
From: Southern Indiana
I noticed a small dimple in my lift gate a few weeks ago (2007, with less than 6000 miles). I keep my car garaged, and the dimple was too high up -- above the chrome piece on top of the license plate -- for anyone to have hit me. A bit later, I noticed another, larger, dimple. Now, I have three! No one drives the car but me. Lucky for that, or I would be blaming my son! All three marks are in roughly the same area -- high up above license plate and chrome piece above plate. There is no paint damage at all. And, they are no where near where I touch when I pull the gate closed. Has anyone had anything like this? I'm really starting to think that is a defect with the gate, and will ask the dealer when I go in for my car inspection in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I would like to know if any others are experiencing this. Thanks.
The dimples are on each side of the chrome piece above the license plate with no paint damage either, and they are exactly the same size on each side of the chrome. Like you, my car is garage kept and nobody else drives it. My car is out of warranty now, but it will be interesting to see if others speak up about this as well.
Member
Joined: 07-29-2009
Posts: 45
From: Wichita, KS
After reading how some of you guys close the hatch, I think this might be part of the problem. Slamming the hatch is not a good idea as it's the chief cause of hatch rattles. It also apparently seems to be causing these dents. So the solution is probably just to close the hatch without slamming it shut. Just a thought.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2008
Posts: 725
From: Elko Nevada
I noticed a small dimple in my lift gate a few weeks ago (2007, with less than 6000 miles). I keep my car garaged, and the dimple was too high up -- above the chrome piece on top of the license plate -- for anyone to have hit me. A bit later, I noticed another, larger, dimple. Now, I have three! No one drives the car but me. Lucky for that, or I would be blaming my son! All three marks are in roughly the same area -- high up above license plate and chrome piece above plate. There is no paint damage at all. And, they are no where near where I touch when I pull the gate closed. Has anyone had anything like this? I'm really starting to think that is a defect with the gate, and will ask the dealer when I go in for my car inspection in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I would like to know if any others are experiencing this. Thanks.
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Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2009
Posts: 763
From: Southern California
Founding Member
Joined: 11-23-2007
Posts: 8,210
From: Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 06-09-2009
Posts: 2,953
From: Clinton, Mass
It slammed a couple of times before my body became calibrated to the right amount of force to close it correctly.
Now it gets shut just right or almost so it doesn't slam.
When I fling it almost closed a re-open, slight lift and & light shove on the emblem gets it done.
Edit - Now that I've read that the emblem's a hands-off spot I'll try the plate next time
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Some are just slow on understanding you can't push on the bar.
As for slamming it the gate will not close with out a swift closing on most of these, Also there is very little to rattle on the rear gate as everything is fairly secured to it.
The best option I have found is fling it down with the cup or use the plate to slam it but not push it shut. Let the momentum take care of the work.
The bar and emblem are strictly a hands off on shutting or pushing it closed.
Too bad it does not have the new Nox electric gate. I used one Saturday and it works great on the 2010.
As for slamming it the gate will not close with out a swift closing on most of these, Also there is very little to rattle on the rear gate as everything is fairly secured to it.
The best option I have found is fling it down with the cup or use the plate to slam it but not push it shut. Let the momentum take care of the work.
The bar and emblem are strictly a hands off on shutting or pushing it closed.
Too bad it does not have the new Nox electric gate. I used one Saturday and it works great on the 2010.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-10-2006
Posts: 141
From: Southern Indiana
After reading how some of you guys close the hatch, I think this might be part of the problem. Slamming the hatch is not a good idea as it's the chief cause of hatch rattles. It also apparently seems to be causing these dents. So the solution is probably just to close the hatch without slamming it shut. Just a thought.
