We have had a 2019 eTron SUV purchased new in late 2020. I have had 3 instances where I have been loading groceries into the back of the car when the rear hatch unexpectedly and spontaneously starts closing. And when it hit me, doesn’t stop unless you exert a lot of force (like lifting a 50lbs bag of potatoes). Although it does stop of you resist hard enough, it doesn’t return/ retract to the full open position...it stays where you stopped it and you have to manually push it back up. The last time this happened I had the key fob in my front pocket and may have inadvertently pushed the lock button against the bumper as I leaned in. But still, I would think that the hatch door would stop or retract as soon as it encountered minor resistance or obstruction. Anyone else experience this? Thanks!
Death by Rear hatch ...?
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I noticed that on the 2 I test drove. I was very surprised that it didn't stop its closure with a fair amount of resistance from my hand & arm. I agree, certainly with children, this could be potentially dangerous. The only reason I tested this was that I saw a reviewer try it and he expressed some surprise that it didn't stop its closure with his resistance.
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96 Posts
Christine!
Happens frequently. I am very careful to keep legs and feet away from the sensor and lean in, so I can only imagine it's picking up light reflections.
Dealers offer no help.
Dealers offer no help.
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91 Posts
Much the same experience. The whole point of the 'kick to open' feature is that it makes life easier. In practice I have found that opening the driver's door and pressing the button is both easier and quicker than trying to find the exact foot=spot at the back.
I think that I would be mega-frustrated if I was trying to do it in the rain!
I think that I would be mega-frustrated if I was trying to do it in the rain!
Why not just open the hatch with the handle on the hatch?
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91 Posts
That question suggests that you are not familiar with the muck on English country roads (and therefore the backs of cars) in March/April.
Yuk!
I don't want the foot sensor at all. They did a poor job with the implementation. I must have been hit by it a dozen times by now.
Dealership just says "there are no faults so we can't do anything."
Dealership just says "there are no faults so we can't do anything."
Nope, and I asked them to as well. They said it wasn’t possible (narrator: it is).
Early on I used to have a lot of trouble getting it to work. Then I found out that I really had to use a rapid, forceful swipe with my foot, a swipe almost touching the car's underside sort of towards the driver's side. In other words "kick it like you really hate it!" Now it works 99.9% of the time. I have not had any "death by Rear Hatch" events.
This goes on my personal wall of fame
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19 Posts
I have felt the kick to open thing is just a bit silly. If your arms are full, who wants to be kicking to open the trunk. I much prefer the KIA way, stand by the door it opens in a couple of seconds. Yes, I know that standing back there while chatting could set it off but at least you won’t be off balance carrying heavy stuff, while kicking to get it open.
Coming from a Hyundai with the stand behind the car option, it's the worst. If I took my time walking behind the car, it'd open when I didn't want it to. It was incredibly annoying. I just deactivated it (which I wish I could easily do with the kick to open here).
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