Tailgate doesn't close smoothly

[jonh70]

Has anyone had issue with the tailgate not closing smoothly when the car is on an uneven surface?

I have a 2008 AWD Touring and love it, though this annoys me.

It closes fine when all 4 wheels are on the same plane, but when they aren't it rubs against the latch mechanism right at the end. I'm still able to close it, but it takes more effort.

Thanks a lot,

Jon

 

[Davicho]

Please describe "uneven" surface and be more descriptive. I know for sure that it is normal for any vehicle to have some flex when being strained. For example if you were to jack up any vehicle to change a flat tire, the same exact thing will happen when trying to open and close any door because the body is being stressed unevenly on a specific point.

 

[CX9ZoomR]

The tailgate on my 2007 is also a little harder to close when I'm parked on uneven surfaces where the body has a little twisting. I think this is pretty normal for these types of cars. My old Jimmy SUV was about the same...

 

[jonh70]

When I've had it happen when one of the front wheels is only a couple inches above the other wheel. It is significant if one of the front wheels is on a curb (about 5 inches). Maybe I'll try the curb thing with one of the rear wheels and see if it happens.

My neighbor has a Honda Pilot, maybe I'll experiment with his also. Other people with SUV's haven't mentioned that they've ever had this issue.

 

[ZoomFive]

Interesting. I did notice that sometimes my hatch closes with a different latch sound. I guess you are right, it is typically when I am parked with a wheel on a slightly higher point such as a small lump of snow or lower in a pothole. However, it always closes on the first shot. It just sounds like the latch isn't aligned.

I'll try it when I take it into the woods again on Memorial Day.

 

[jonh70]

It happened to me last week when I was parked crooked on a fairly steep driveway. The door does close, but it takes more effort. Normally I don't like slamming it down, but I have to in those situations.

 

[reghum]

yea, i noticed it recently when 1 wheel was ona diff plane than the rest, the latch tends to nick the metal lock on the body... guess its flex as mentioned above..seems fine on an even surface