NHTSA complaint: 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER LIFTGATE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER LIFTGATE MALFUNCTIONED AND INJURED HER HUSBAND IN APRIL 2013. THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND PLANNED TO REMOVE SOME ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE. AS SHE PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON, THE LIFTGATE BEGAN TO OPEN AS USUAL. WHEN IT REACHED THE TOP, HER HUSBAND STARTED TO REACH FOR THE ITEMS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VERY HEAVY LIFTGATE DROPPED ABOUT 18-24 INCHES, HITTING HIM ON THE FOREHEAD AND CUTTING A PERFECT V WHICH MATCHED THE DESIGN OF THE LATCH. HE WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND WITH BLOOD POURING FROM THE GASH IN HIS HEAD. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation