cory143

Hello, everyone. I read through a bunch of posts/threads regarding 3rd Gen rear power liftgate issues but nothing specifically addresses the symptoms mine has. My plan is to replace the liftgate struts but I wanted advice before doing that.

The rear liftgate malfunctions about 1 out every 20 times. The overall symptoms point to the liftgate being "too heavy". Sometime when opened it won't stay open and I will have to use my back to prop it open and it slams shut when I move my body out of the way. Other times it's trying to open and it shimmies up and down for 30-40 seconds before finally raising all the way to the top. Another one is that it simply doesn't open.

So are new liftgate struts my answer? Or are there other issues at play? Thanks.

Cory

RX in NC

If you still have the original 2010 factory liftgate struts on your vehicle, that is indeed the most likely cause of your issue. I would order the appropriate pair of StrongArm liftgate replacement struts. Good luck and keep us posted on your results.

Clutchless

I agree with RX in NC. It is usually better to first try the cheaper simpler possible solution, especially when it involves a part known to wear out such as hatch struts, batteries, or shock absorbers.

AlgoTrader

I bought my '13RX350 (mfg date of Dec 2012) in the summer of 2019. My rear hatch sometimes worked and sometimes it would act weird. If I told it to close, it would get almost all the way there, but not touching, then beep again and re-open as if something were obstructing the hatch. I replaced the struts first, but that did not solve the issue. I then replaced the motor. That solved it.
See my posts starting at #17
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ng-beep-2.html

My belief is that gas struts leak slowly over time, and after about 4-5 years, have lost too much pressure to hold the hatch up, supporting the weight. I noticed this especially on our older SUV that has a manual rear hatch.
On an RX, if the liftgate struts are weak, the liftgate motor must then work harder than it was originally intended to. This either overheats the motor or overheats the logic board that is part of the liftgate motor assembly, and burns out components. The motor then acts up. I believe that we must replace the struts every 4 years irregardless of how the liftgate is acting.