Component

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

1,080 NHTSA complaints about latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock issues across 36 makes and 181 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

1,080 filings · 181 models · 36 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 1,080 ODI rows
  • MODELS 181 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 36 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 8.1% 87 crash-flagged
  • RANK #150 of 696 categories
  • SEV INJURY 7 deaths · 147 injuries
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK (this)LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCH…1,080SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1,088SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHTSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:AN…1,092VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAG…1,118
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK vs nearest complaint-total peers

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#150 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (7 reported fatalities across 181 models). Open Dodge Caravan (category leader) →

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK filing-volume reading

The standout signal for latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock is ODI intake volume: 1,080 filings (MODERATE band · #150 of 696 standardized categories) across 181 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 8.1%.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Dodge Caravan against SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING on filing totals before treating latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock volume as a purchase signal.

1,080
Complaints
181
Models Affected
87
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Dodge Caravan
225
2 Plymouth Voyager
202
3 Ford Explorer
56
4 Toyota Sienna
49
5 Chrysler Town AND Country
40
6 Jeep Grand Cherokee
25
7 Dodge Grand Caravan
22
8 Jeep Cherokee
16
9 Ford Aerostar
14
10 Chevrolet Tahoe
13
11 Chevrolet Blazer
13
12 Toyota Sequoia
12
13 Ford Escape
12
14 Chevrolet Astro
12
15 Ford Windstar
11
16 Ford Edge
10
17 Pontiac Aztek
9
18 GMC Jimmy
9
19 Ford Focus
9
20 Chevrolet Suburban
9
21 Toyota Rav4
8
22 Dodge Durango
8
23 Chevrolet Trailblazer
8
24 Honda CR-V
7
25 Chevrolet Lumina APV
7
26 Plymouth Grand Voyager
6
27 Toyota Prius
5
28 RAM 1500
5
29 Mercury Villager
5
30 Mazda Tribute
5

Recent Complaints

2019 Toyota Rav4

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to remain securely closed. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred and became more frequent

2020 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illu

2023 Subaru Outback

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while walking around the vehicle attempting to put her husband in the passenger seat, the hatchback opened independently, and they both

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the contact's husband was driving 80 MPH, the liftgate independently unlatched. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's overnight bag flew

2016 Toyota Rav4

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to properly close while pressing the electrical buttons on both the key fob and the two liftgate buttons located inside

2025 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 1 MPH and pulling into the garage, the liftgate opened unintendedly, scraping the garage door. The contact worked

2017 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate switch failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the liftgate switch was activated to u

2018 Ford Edge

The contact's fiancé owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the power liftgate failed to open manually or automatically. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer

2025 Volvo Xc60

The trunk of the car automatically closed and hit my head as I was picking up my groceries.

2024 Toyota Prius Prime

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated that occasionally the liftgate opened independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a crack on

2018 Toyota Rav4

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon pressing the liftgate emergency release button, the liftgate opened half-way. Additionally, the contact stated that the liftgate had f

2024 BMW IX

Summary of Incident – March 28, 2025 On March 28, 2025, at approximately 8:17a.m., I left my residence and proceeded to my vehicle, which was parked inside my garage. I opened the tailgate of the vehi

2009 Buick Enclave

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear tailgate unintentionally opened. The contact stated that once the failure had occurred, the

2023 Mazda CX-30

Others are at risk and below details how my safety was compromised. Powerlift gate/ trunk closed on my head and did not stop. It knocked me onto the ground and opened up a bloody gash on my head. Wen

2020 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the rear hatch had failed to open. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was

2016 Mercedes-Benz Gl450

Tailgate sometimes opens while driving. It sometimes takes many attempts to reclose it from the outside of car. It will not reclose using the electronic button on the door. The alert comes on on the d

2022 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the tailgate unintendedly opened. While taking boards in a trailer, the tow gate opened and struck the trailer. The contac

2015 Toyota Sequoia

Rear latch not locking or latching correctly leading to liftgate opening while driving. Has happened repeatedly, will latch some days and not other dealer said no recalls available but seems to be com

2021 Lexus RX

On the Saturday (12/21) before Christmas, my hatch door wouldn’t open with the key fob, push button in the vehicle or push button on the door. And the foot under the bumper opener has never worked for

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Twice now, my husband is putting groceries in the back of the vehicle and the top closes on him and this last time, hit him hard in the head. This is a safety issue, what can we do??

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.