Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
873 NHTSA complaints about structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut issues across 35 makes and 155 models.
The structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 873 filings from 35 manufacturers and 155 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 7 crashes, 3 fires, 213 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 185 filings, followed by TOYOTA SIENNA and PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. 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 | 185 |
| 2 | TOYOTA SIENNA | 111 |
| 3 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 81 |
| 4 | DODGE CARAVAN | 79 |
| 5 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 32 |
| 6 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 27 |
| 7 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 24 |
| 8 | FORD AEROSTAR | 15 |
| 9 | HONDA ACCORD | 12 |
| 10 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 12 |
| 11 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 9 |
| 12 | FORD PROBE | 9 |
| 13 | PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE | 8 |
| 14 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 8 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 8 |
| 16 | MAZDA NAVAJO | 7 |
| 17 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 7 |
| 18 | DODGE INTREPID | 7 |
| 19 | GMC ACADIA | 6 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET S10 | 6 |
| 21 | TOYOTA CELICA | 5 |
| 22 | SUBARU FORESTER | 5 |
| 23 | FORD EXPEDITION | 5 |
| 24 | CHRYSLER CONCORDE | 5 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 5 |
| 26 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 4 |
| 27 | MAZDA PROTEGE | 4 |
| 28 | FORD EDGE | 4 |
| 29 | DODGE DURANGO | 4 |
| 30 | PONTIAC MONTANA | 3 |
Recent Complaints
Rear liftgate motors no longer functioning.
REAR LIFT GATE: When the rear lift gate opens fully, it immediately and unexpectedly closes within a few seconds with force. This could strike someone standing behind the vehicle. The issue occurs eve
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer recommended that the hatchback mo
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment display was frequently powering off and on and failed to display pertinen
Liftgate arm (or support) broke while the liftgate was in the raised position, and the liftgate came crashing down to the closed position, while my sister-in-law was very close by. I believe a seriou
The lift gate strut bent when I tried to close the rear door, then when I tried to open the door to see what the issue was, the strut exploded. The parts went flying and almost hit me in the face, I c
The trunk of the car automatically closed and hit my head as I was picking up my groceries.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that upon attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to tu
Automatic tailgate door, which was open for loading, randomly came down and struck me in the head. Door did not retract on contact but continued downward. No one was in vehicle. Neither keyfob or butt
Trunk struts snap/come off. Causing trunk to slam shut. Damaging body. Tesla states vehicle is safe to operate, however vehicle trunk does not latch down anymore and opens every time I hit a bump. The
I have owned the 2020 Subaru Outback since December 2020. Staring in 2021 there have been problems with the lift gate not opening to where it now closes immediately after opening it. This occurs rando
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
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
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
When closing the liftgate during the normal course of use, the liftgate support cylinder on the driver's (left) side failed (metal ball joint snapped where it connects to the liftgate), causing the su
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling and popping sound coming from the passenger's side. The contact also stat
The power lift gate closes on people when trying to open it.
I was approaching my car and used my keyfob to open the trunk. As it was opening, I was thankfully facing away from the trunk when the rod from the right tailgate lift support flew off, hitting me in
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate was opened and raised; however, the liftgate failed to remain open and raised as intended. The
I was in a store parking lot, putting purchases into the trunk of my 2014 Subaru Outback. The rear gate had been opened for about five minutes. As I was leaning into the trunk, as I'd just done 2 or
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut issues? ▼
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Which vehicles have the most structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut problems? ▼
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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.