THE TAILGATE STRUTS ARE WORN DOWN VERY EASILY BY THE DESIGN OF THE TAILGATE, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE DOOR SLAMS SHUT ON ITS OWN - AND IT IS VERY HEAVY. TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE STRUTS TO 6 YEARS, BUT THE STRUTS STILL WEAR OUT AFTER A SHORT TIME BECAUSE OF THE TAILGATE DESIGN. TOYOTA APPEARS TO BE AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION, BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN PROBLEM. IT IS A SERIOUS FLAW AS THE HEAVY TAILGATE CAN SLAM DOWN ON THE NECKS AND HEADS OF BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN LOADING THE TRUNK. A REVIEW OF TOYOTA AND CAR FORUM BOARDS ILLUSTRATE HOW WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS THE PROBLEM CAN BE.