(12-03-2015 02:01pm)mstraka Wrote:  I have a problem that has reoccurred soon after the first fix by my dealer. The power tailgate tries to open, but only moves slightly upward (1/8”) and then attempts to re close itself, but the car still thinks its open and I get the warning alert on the dash saying open tailgate. It isn’t securely closed in this state as it will rattle over a bump, although it appears closed. The first fix which lasted for about two weeks was to replace the tailgate’s latch, striker and motor. It was a difficult repair as the old parts had to be cut with the tailgate in the down position trying not to damage the surrounding area. Has anyone experienced this problem. The tailgate won’t open using either the key button or the manual button near the rear license plate.

(12-03-2015 02:01pm)mstraka Wrote:  I have a problem that has reoccurred soon after the first fix by my dealer. The power tailgate tries to open, but only moves slightly upward (1/8”) and then attempts to re close itself, but the car still thinks its open and I get the warning alert on the dash saying open tailgate. It isn’t securely closed in this state as it will rattle over a bump, although it appears closed. The first fix which lasted for about two weeks was to replace the tailgate’s latch, striker and motor. It was a difficult repair as the old parts had to be cut with the tailgate in the down position trying not to damage the surrounding area. Has anyone experienced this problem. The tailgate won’t open using either the key button or the manual button near the rear license plate.

(13-03-2015 06:02am)mstraka Wrote:  I received my Evoque today back from the dealer and I believe the reason for the tailgate not opening has been solved although it could happen again as this possibility is due to the design of the tailgate itself. According to the dealer the tailgate is fiberglass. It appears to be two pieces inner and outer laminated together with space between the two pieces that can trap particles and there is no way to get to most of this inner space and particles that they hold.
The first day I purchased my new Evoque, my angry ex wife smashed the rear window. Luckily I stopped her before she did the same to the other windows and other damage to the car. Upon removing and replacing the broken rear window, particles of glass fell down into the tailgate and because of the way it is constructed it couldn’t be removed but could move around inside. The panel that does remove from the inner side of the tailgate is small and doesn’t give access to much of this dead space inside the tailgate. I can hear the broken glass rattling inside the tailgate each time it is lifted and closed. The glass pieces got wedged into the motorized latch keeping it from releasing completely. The car wouldn't lock because it thought the tailgate was open since it wasn't latched securly. Vacuming with a small nozzle and and using compressed air removes most of the glass but there is still enough left to cause this problem.
My advice is to marry wisely, but should you ever have your rear window broken try to keep any glass particles from falling into this dead space in the tailgate or otherwise you could experience the problem I have. The first time it occurred the dealer had to carefully cut the rear latch, without damaging the surrounding area to get the tailgate open. The second time, pushing outward from inside the tailgate got it to release.