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Limited liftgate suddenly closing

13313 Views 25 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  HeyChris
In the two months that we've had our Ascent Limited the power liftgate has suddenly closed on me twice while accessing the cargo area. It does the usual three warning beeps and then lowers. The second time happened last Saturday and when the door hit my back it stopped and reversed upward again where it stayed until I closed it. It's happened both times within five seconds of the liftgate having reached the fully open position. I always open the liftgate using the button above the license plate. My keyless fob is in my shirt pocket and definitely not being pressed and held accidentally. Both occurrences happened in different parking locations. I've got an appointment with my dealer at the end of the week to have this safety hazard fixed. I'm wondering if it's a bad module sending a signal to close the hatch. Any other owners experiencing this crazy problem?
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My visit to the dealer for the surprise liftgate closing ended up showing no error codes generated, so don’t know what’s going on. If this continues to occur I’ll have the dealer try replacing liftgate system parts. That was their offer, but I’d like to rule out the possibility of fluke occurrences first. I don’t wear tight fitting pants so keys pressing against the keyless fob doesn’t seem likely. This was mentioned as a possibility by the service writer.
This happened to me for the first time yesterday, after 4 months of ownership and over 7k miles. I certainly didn't think I had touched anything, but I can't rule out the fob was pressed, as it was in my front jeans pocket. If it happens again, I will be more observant.
I think your spouse or kids are trying to kill you people.
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I was just at the grocery store and while putting my groceries in the car, the back hatch closed on me. This happened 2 times in a row. This is dangerous if a small child was in the way. Obviously others are having a problem with this as well. My keys were in my purse nowhere near the liftgate.
I decided to try a zippered fob case purchased from Amazon. It's a padded case with a key ring attached. So far, after two weeks with the case, no surprise tailgate closing. I continue to carry the fob in the case in my front pants pocket. I'll update if any more closings occur.
This just happened to me on our 3600 mile, 3 month old Limited. As initially noted in this thread, it was opened with the button on the hatch; the key fob was in my pocket and I wasn’t leaning in at all -it beeped 3X, lowered until it hit my head then returned to the open position.
This just happened to me on our 3600 mile, 3 month old Limited. As initially noted in this thread, it was opened with the button on the hatch; the key fob was in my pocket and I wasn’t leaning in at all -it beeped 3X, lowered until it hit my head then returned to the open position.
This is something we’ll have to keep an eye on as a safety matter. My dealer checked for error codes on my Limited liftgate a couple months ago, but none were generated. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve placed my fob in a padded, zippered fob case and haven’t had any reoccurrence yet.
Mine has occasionally opened or closed "by itself" but I have deduced the fob in my pocket accidentally hits the button when I am sitting on my couch.
Mine has occasionally opened or closed "by itself" but I have deduced the fob in my pocket accidentally hits the button when I am sitting on my couch.
Sounds like a big comfortable roomy recliner would solve your tailgate problem.
This happened to me the first time the other day. I was leaning in trying to arrange stuff by the 3rd row. Suddenly the hatch shut. My fob wasn't a factor, no beeps, and it came down on my back. Stopped when it met resistance but definitely a shock.
Hi! Has anyone found any answers to this? Mine has done it several times and today was the most infuriating as my 4 year old was standing right next to me when it happened. It luckily didn’t hit either of us but I’m very concerned.
Mine has occasionally opened or closed "by itself" but I have deduced the fob in my pocket accidentally hits the button when I am sitting on my couch.
silicone fob cover it works
Got this at the dealer,notice cutouts for the buttons.This prevents accidental presses.
With the covers posted in the link above one can take an exacto knife and do the cutouts.

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This happened to my son today as he was getting his baseball stuff out of the trunk.
And it was most definitely NOT keyfob related, as the fob was still in my car, and the the two of us were outside the car.
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This happened to my son today as he was getting his baseball stuff out of the trunk.
And it was most definitely NOT keyfob related, as the fob was still in my car, and the the two of us were outside the car.
might someone have hit the the hatch button with hand or equipment? Something had to have tripped the signal.
might someone have hit the the hatch button with hand or equipment? Something had to have tripped the signal.
Literally impossible.
The keyfob was in the cupholder between the front seats.
I was standing outside the driver door.
He was UNDER the liftgate reaching for equipment. There wasn't anything anywhere near the fob or the button on the liftgate.
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I wonder if this pertains:

TSB NUMBER: 07-155-19R DATE: 06/12/2019 REVISED: 03/16/2020

APPLICABILITY:
2019-20MY Forester 2019MY Ascent SUBJECT: Power Rear Gate (PRG) Control Module- Design Change

INTRODUCTION: This bulletin announces a design change made to the PRG control module. This change is in response to a limited number of customer concerns regarding the rear gate not opening when operating the gate switch or dashboard switch on the vehicle or the button on the key fob. In addition to ensuring proper PRG system operation, the new logic also optimizes the PRG communication function. The change will prevent excessive dark draw which may over time, cause a low battery condition.
Literally impossible.
The keyfob was in the cupholder between the front seats.
I was standing outside the driver door.
He was UNDER the liftgate reaching for equipment. There wasn't anything anywhere near the fob or the button on the liftgate.
very curious
Literally impossible.
The keyfob was in the cupholder between the front seats.
I was standing outside the driver door.
He was UNDER the liftgate reaching for equipment. There wasn't anything anywhere near the fob or the button on the liftgate.
hi this happened to me this weekend. It has closed a few times on me. But this weekend my husband finally witnessed it. He was in the front while I was leaning all the way in the hatch- my purse was in the front seat - nothing touching fobs or anything else and it started to close on me. I had to jump in to keep from getting hurt.
It has closed on his head- left a knot since he is tall and was on the corner.
while I was changing the baby at the dr. Office parking lot. (I noticed someone else with a non Subaru using their fob to lock their car at the same time so I wondered if it was the same frequency or something)
In our driveway so likely not from interference from other cars.
There were a few other times but this is ridiculous. I need to know why it suddenly closes so my kids don’t get hurt! How can we find out if it is more widespread?
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