Lift gate failure: A disturbing safety issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
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GLE450
Lift gate failure: A disturbing safety issue
The lift gate on my GLE450 has failed. Yesterday I loaded up some groceries and pushed the button to close. The gate closed and then, before full latching, there was a clacking sound. Since then, the gate does not open or close on command. When closed manually, it does not latch unless pressure is applied. That is not normally a big deal. However, Covid has destroyed my dealer's ability to handle non-essential repairs so there is a 3 week delay before it can be fixed.
The real problem is how the gate has failed. It will open manually, and I would be happy doing that. However, during the manual opening it suddenly tries to close. Doesn't matter if you are under it trying to remove groceries (ask me how I know) or if your kid has poked his head or arm in to help. That gate is coming down at the full strength of the motor. I am 5'10 and fairly fit. It took much of the strength in one of my arms to hold that gate up. If my wife tried that she would be injured. If the gate came down on a child, injury could be serious. As far as I am concerned, this is a major safety issue.
GLE450 owners,keep your eye on the lift gate. If it fails, make sure it does not fail to a mode in which it applies sudden, unrestricted full closing effort. Mercedes, this is recall territory.
The real problem is how the gate has failed. It will open manually, and I would be happy doing that. However, during the manual opening it suddenly tries to close. Doesn't matter if you are under it trying to remove groceries (ask me how I know) or if your kid has poked his head or arm in to help. That gate is coming down at the full strength of the motor. I am 5'10 and fairly fit. It took much of the strength in one of my arms to hold that gate up. If my wife tried that she would be injured. If the gate came down on a child, injury could be serious. As far as I am concerned, this is a major safety issue.
GLE450 owners,keep your eye on the lift gate. If it fails, make sure it does not fail to a mode in which it applies sudden, unrestricted full closing effort. Mercedes, this is recall territory.
Thread Starter
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GLE450
Tried. We are in lockdown up here and dealership is closed, except for service visits on 3 week lead time. Anway, not hard to diagnose. Broken. Dangerous. See - simple.
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GLE350/W167
This is a forum to help each other, if you are a keyboard nut job warrior, just read the topics and ignore the ones you dnt care about. That is what a mature adult would do. Myself, I would definitely worry if my child got stuck and injured under a faulty hatch. Some of us have other things we care about more than a car.
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From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
This is a forum to help each other, if you are a keyboard nut job warrior, just read the topics and ignore the ones you dnt care about. That is what a mature adult would do. Myself, I would definitely worry if my child got stuck and injured under a faulty hatch. Some of us have other things we care about more than a car.
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
My dealer is open for service - not at 100% capacity because they are working split shifts, but otherwise business as usual. The three week delay surprises me - as I also got the impression that my dealer's service department was looking to be busier than they are. Hope the OP can get hatch fixed - that does sound dangerous.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
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GLE450
Thanks for the replies. One of the members here had a good idea - kill the fuse that protects the lift gate motor. That would let me use the cargo area without danger. However, the owner's manual does not show a fuse listing so I have contacted my local service dept. and asked for directions. If it works I'll post.
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2020 GLE 350
Sorry to hear that. My dealer is in Lancaster, PA and is open. They are coming to my house on Thursday to pick my vehicle up for its first service.
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GLE450
My dealer responded to my request for a fuse diagram, explaining that the GLE is complex (yep) and that enabling manual operation of the lift gate would involve more than just pulling a fuse. They kindly agreed to take the car in before it's scheduled appointment on June 19. It was interesting to see the sanitized "no-contact" procedures in operation, and they were able to have some of the mechanics working. Sadly, sales and most other staff have been laid off for months.
The problem was that one of the lift gate struts had become disconnected. Without feedback from that strut, both the position and obstruction sensors would not work, leading to the problem with unrestricted closing. Fixed now, but I continue to believe this failure mode to be a safety hazard. .
The problem was that one of the lift gate struts had become disconnected. Without feedback from that strut, both the position and obstruction sensors would not work, leading to the problem with unrestricted closing. Fixed now, but I continue to believe this failure mode to be a safety hazard. .
Last edited by cunim; Jun 6, 2020 at 10:25 PM.
Thread Starter
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GLE450
This has just happened again. Yesterday, the lift gate would not open on the motor so I opened it manually and started to reach in for the groceries. Had to jump back as the gate slammed down. That gate motor is powerful and might seriously injure a dog or child caught under the slam. Happens once, it's a fluke. Twice is a design issue.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
Member
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2021 GLE350 and 2021 E450
This has just happened again. Yesterday, the lift gate would not open on the motor so I opened it manually and started to reach in for the groceries. Had to jump back as the gate slammed down. That gate motor is powerful and might seriously injure a dog or child caught under the slam. Happens once, it's a fluke. Twice is a design issue.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
Theres a website you can report these things to the government.
I forget where though.
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
This has just happened again. Yesterday, the lift gate would not open on the motor so I opened it manually and started to reach in for the groceries. Had to jump back as the gate slammed down. That gate motor is powerful and might seriously injure a dog or child caught under the slam. Happens once, it's a fluke. Twice is a design issue.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
Dealer stepped right up, treating it as a serious safety issue and booking me in on Monday.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
You should have it fixed.
