Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
1,513 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:hatchback/liftgate issues across 37 makes and 225 models.
The structure:body:hatchback/liftgate is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,513 filings from 37 manufacturers and 225 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 64 crashes, 2 fires, 253 injuries, and 9 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 310 filings, followed by TOYOTA SIENNA and DODGE CARAVAN. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD EXPLORER | 310 |
| 2 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 128 |
| 3 | DODGE CARAVAN | 101 |
| 4 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 78 |
| 5 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 46 |
| 6 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 45 |
| 7 | FORD ESCAPE | 42 |
| 8 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 37 |
| 9 | GMC ACADIA | 36 |
| 10 | BUICK ENCLAVE | 33 |
| 11 | TOYOTA PRIUS | 28 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 25 |
| 13 | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | 18 |
| 14 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 17 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 16 |
| 16 | FORD EXPEDITION | 13 |
| 17 | SUBARU FORESTER | 12 |
| 18 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 12 |
| 19 | GMC ENVOY | 12 |
| 20 | FORD FOCUS | 12 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 12 |
| 22 | CADILLAC SRX | 12 |
| 23 | FORD EDGE | 11 |
| 24 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 10 |
| 25 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 10 |
| 26 | NISSAN PATHFINDER | 9 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 9 |
| 28 | LINCOLN AVIATOR | 8 |
| 29 | HONDA CR-V | 8 |
| 30 | GMC TERRAIN | 8 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving an undisclosed speed, there was a loud popping sound coming from the vehicle, and the children inside the vehicle discovered
The rear plastic where the handle to open the truck is easily damaged and can cause water or damage inside the vehicle.
The contact's dad owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated the owner opened the liftgate, attempting to unload the vehicle after a trip, when the liftgate inadvertently fell on the head near the
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear liftgate was not properly aligned with the rear door frame. The contact stated that there was a gap of approximately ¼-inch bet
I opened the trunk door went to retrieve my groceries and the trunk door came down with extreme force on the top of my head without warning hitting me in the head causing a concussion. The window sen
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate independently unlatched and fell midway down, and then independently closed and latched. The vehi
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that the rear liftgate appeared to show a design flaw, and the left and right sides of the liftgate appeared to be misaligned. The cont
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and the transmission overheated. The vehicle was taken to t
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while opening the hatch by engaging the automatic release switch, a hole formed in the sheet material, and the spoiler was fractured. T
1. Rear Hatch hands free system - closes unexpectedly while loading or unloading car without using feet to trigger system. Hatch will close down and trap driver in the rear, causing bruising on driv
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while opening the liftgate to place groceries inside the vehicle, the liftgate attempted to close, and in the process,s the liftgate quickly
The auto close feature on the Tesla Model X can quite dangerous. Iâve been hit by it unexpectedly closing several times. The most recent time, the rear trunk closed on me while I was taking out my
I opened the back hatch of my 2024 Subaru Forester to retrieve an item. I then pressed the button to close the hatch. It was an extremely windy day and right when I pressed the button to close the hat
On January 22, 2025 on a clear sunny day (no wind) I was putting groceries in the trunk of my car when the trunk lid came down on my head injuring me. I was leaning from the right side of my car acro
While unloading cargo, I was standing on the flatbed of the truck, leaning over the standing side-gates, without realizing they werenât locked in place. The gates fell down onto a co-worker and I fe
I opened the rear lift gate. I turned around to grab a bag of vegetables. I leaned in to put them in the back of the car... The lift gate hit my head and continued closing pushing down on my head. I
On the Saturday (12/21) before Christmas, my hatch door wouldnât 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 f
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water on the rear carpet and the floor was wet. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local deal
See attached document for complaint.
Toyota recall 24TA11 was performed by the dealership. It is a software update to help with braking under certain conditions. However, this update has led to the power tailgate not longer opening. This
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.