Why can't the electric tailgate close?

[MacWyatt]

It may be that the motor assembly of the electric tailgate is damaged. Below is the relevant introduction: 1. Electric tailgate: The vehicle's trunk (also the electric tailgate) can be opened and closed electrically. There is a door closing button inside the trunk door. By pressing this button, the trunk door can close by itself without manual intervention. 2. Structure: The basic structure consists of two core shaft drive rods. The drive rod, through the main shaft drive, is composed of an inner tube and an outer tube. The motor and gear inside the inner tube drive a threaded main shaft, which moves along a threaded nut fixed to the inner side of the outer tube. The electric strut uses an electric main shaft located inside the motor within the strut to open and close the trunk lid. The spring also assists in the lid opening operation.

[AmirDella]

After my last car wash, the electric tailgate wouldn't close either. Upon inspection, I found that the sensor was obscured by water vapor. There are quite a few reasons why an electric tailgate might not close, such as something in the trunk pressing against the anti-pinch strip, causing the system to automatically stop closing. It could also be due to damp wiring causing a short circuit, especially common on rainy days. If the remote key's battery is low, it might send incomplete signals, leading to the tailgate stopping midway. Another possibility is damaged support struts that don't have enough strength to push the tailgate. In such cases, first clean any debris from the edges of the tailgate and check if the power cables are being pinched. I managed to fix it by restarting the vehicle's power system myself, but if that doesn't work, it's best to have a technician run a computer diagnostic on the system. Never try to force it closed manually, as this could damage the motor.

[SanOlive]

With a decade of car repair experience, I've seen all common power tailgate failures. The most frequent issue is a stuck limiter causing the system to misjudge position and shut down. Strut motor burnout is also common, especially from overheating during repeated operations. Some vehicles experience rusted trunk latch mechanisms or failed closure sensors. Wiring degradation is more troublesome, requiring inspection of all harness connectors for looseness. One easily overlooked cause is false triggering of rear parking sensors, making the system stop automatically thinking there's an obstruction. I recommend owners first try gently pushing it closed manually - if encountering noticeable resistance, stop immediately to avoid costly assembly replacement. Regular track lubrication prevents most problems.

[DelCarter]

Last winter, my SUV's tailgate kept failing to close, and it turned out to be due to a weak battery causing the struts to lack strength. Apart from insufficient power supply, I think the most likely cause is obstruction, such as a backpack strap getting stuck near the sealing strip. The anti-pinch system is overly sensitive—even a leaf sticking to the sensor can trigger a protective stop. Additionally, accidental remote button presses or program glitches can also interrupt the closing process. I’ve developed a habit of checking the edges for cleanliness before operating it. Occasionally, if it fails to close, pressing the interior switch to reinitialize it resolves the issue. For older electric vehicles, oxidized wire connectors can also lead to poor contact.