Diagnose and Fix Bad Liftgate / Tailgate Struts Toyota Highlander

[@MikeKnipp]

Thank you for this video. Dealer wanted $800.00 per strut to replace them. I stayed with Toyota parts and got both struts for $540.00, they had a online sale on parts that week. Biggest problem was getting the wiring unplugged, once that was done the new struts went in very easy. Took about 15 minutes. 2020 Highlander. Thanks

[@trackpalmer]

Happy you were able to solve the problem. Toyota need to make better struts. There shouldn’t have gone bad on a 2020 Highlander so soon.

[@charlieconti5243]

My 2020 Rav4 XSE struts are now on and off acting up. Toyota needs to make better ones

[@sc1935]

Thanks for this video. I watched about 4 or 5 different ones before I came across yours. This is the only video I saw that mentioned the button in the glove box. Thank you!

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZeroGMechanic]

👍 found it and have new OEM struts 😅

[@rooskiesmusic]

I have to say a big thank you. That button was it and I fixed it. Thank you for your help.

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it helped!

[@Zeek800]

I’m glad I stumbled upon this video. Today after a week of cold weather and not opening the tailgate just used the rear glass to access the back, my hatch beeps twice but doesn’t open. The rear glass is closed so that’s not the issue. I replaced the cabin air filter a week or so ago and think I may have push that rear hatch switch. I hope that’s it. I’ll check in 20 minutes.

[@Zeek800]

Update. I checked that button in the glove box before heading to work. Well, the Toyota Service guy had suggested that it was the electric motor in the struts. $600 US dollars is close to $900 here in Canada. I watched a few videos and read a bunch of “ threads “ and NO ONE mentioned that button beside the glovebox. I also thought that due to my 2017 Highlander being just under 7 years old ( only about 70,000 miles on it though ) a couple months of cold weather and leaving one of 5he interior lights on overnight that the battery ( original one ) wasn’t holding enough of a charge. I’m not an electrical engineer by any means so I’ll probably have to get it checked. Do you have a video on how to change the battery and how to do it while saving all the computer’s info? I had a Toyota tech bulletin update done to fix a cruise control / transmission issue and I don’t want to lose that update and go back to the original settings. I mentioned it during an oil change and the mechanic found the bulletin and updated the ECM. Again thanks. You are one of the best Highlander KZbinrs out there.

[@trackpalmer]

Hope it worked out

[@Zeek800]

It worked and I see at least one other guy on here had the same thing happen during a cabin air filter change at 5he dealership.

[@levrais231]

Thank you for this video and for the product recommendation. I bought the ones you suggested and installed them. It was easy and they work perfectly!

[@trackpalmer]

Great to hear it worked out for you!

[@jjavegam]

Why I didn’t see this video before, thanks for sharing this great information!

[@trackpalmer]

I'm glad you found it useful!

[@KERTER21]

I’m a tech.. your video saved me Thank you!!!

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it helped!

[@erikaa8573]

Thank you 🙏 you save my life with my husband 😅

[@trackpalmer]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm here to help. But what was the issue?

[@thomasbertram4259]

Had the cabin air filter replaced lift gate would not work……they had the switch in the glove box trip ….thanks for your video it’s fixed.

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it helped🫡

[@greenflintriver]

Thank you trackpalmer your videos are the best!!!

[@trackpalmer]

Glad you like them!🫡

[@bentol86]

Great explanation and practical. Thank you for this man👍

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikeyis009]

Accidentally let the liftgate go up and hit my kayaks on the roof last fall. Just replaced both struts today and it is working perfectly again. The safety feature works when the door is closing but just busted the struts on the way up when it hit against my kayaks still strapped to my roof. Lesson learned.

[@trackpalmer]

Did you use OEM or aftermarket?

[@mikeyis009]

Aftermarket off Amazon. No issues

[@WillValor007]

Thanks man! Your videos helped me alot. 👍

[@trackpalmer]

Happy it helped 🫡

[@DanHein]

Good video - thanks for putting this together

[@trackpalmer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eidpalestine]

Thank you, I was not aware of the button behind the glove box.

[@trackpalmer]

You are welcome!

[@kunt585]

Thank you for your video, after I watched, now I can open my trunk now, because I accidentally closed the small button on passenger side.

[@ZeroGMechanic]

What button lol

[@trackpalmer]

🫡

[@SVTPalacios]

Great video having this problem on my 2015 rav4 limited

[@trackpalmer]

🫡

[@TabishZahid]

Thank you so much that button near glove box work like treat thank you so much for this information ❤

[@trackpalmer]

You are welcome 😊

[@giovannivega9737]

En mi Toyota Highlander 2017 la compuerta dejó de funcionar sin razón aparente , por varios días estuve abriendo y cerrándola manualmente, revise varios videos que explican diferentes tipos de problemas, sin resultado positivo. Por suerte encontré este video y la solución era sencilla, pues la causa era el botón que esta a un lado de la guantera que se apagó después de que cambie el filtro del aire acondicionado .

[@trackpalmer]

English

[@flightmedic7169]

I have a question. Have a 20 navigator and I removed the right tailgate power strut to replace a moulding, the strut extended all the way out and now works but it’s noisy when opening or closing. Any ideas if this could be fixed ?

[@trackpalmer]

It depends on the type of noise and where it’s coming from. If it sound like a rubbery squeak, it might be the rubber seal which could take a little silicone grease

[@BobC59]

Some of the links no longer work. Oh well, I was going to do what you did before - convert to manual - but since you are gong back to electric - and my wife uses her Highlander a lot - I'm opting for the OEM struts. I know they are higher, but some reviewers have said the aftermarket ones pop out of socket and damage the car. Maybe they did something wrong or maybe not? If I don't hear back from you on this soon, I'll pay up for the Toyota parts and do it myself. Thanks!

[@trackpalmer]

Links will be updated

[@OoseGoose]

I replaced the cabin air filter and must have accidentally hit the switch, thanks!

[@trackpalmer]

Nice job!

[@loismullis8174]

Thank you. Very helpful

[@trackpalmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jordanomoto5470]

I think I have this issue. When this happens does the button to close the tailgate on the tailgate portion not do anything when you press it?

[@trackpalmer]

Explain. I don’t understand

[@jordanomoto5470]

@@trackpalmer so the tailgate doesn’t work to open or close. But when I manually open it and then press the button of the little car with the trunk open to close the tailgate. Nothing happens and it doesn’t make a sound doesn’t work. Is that because of those parts need to be replaced like you mentioned in the video or is this another issue?

[@robolix]

My passenger side liftgate strut is stuck, seems locked in that position. It doesn't move to open and I can't barely access that. I'm thinking about force to open so I can access the strut and check if I need to change it or not. Do you think I'm gonna break it? The other side is loose, seems to open fine.

[@trackpalmer]

It's possible to break bracket. If the strut is ok the bracket should not break. It it does break it needs to be replaced anyways. It's recommend to change both?

[@Mr5Stars]

Great video...THANK YOU

[@trackpalmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@necromstr69]

Didn't know about the button by the glove box, problem solved! Thanks!

[@trackpalmer]

Happy it helped

[@trembo835]

Do you need new brackets when converting automatic to manual struts?

[@trackpalmer]

Yes you do

[@JenBasnight3]

2012 Highlander Limited All Wheel, My electric struts stopped working about a year ago. I took to two different places and they couldn’t fix the issue, even tried the glove box button, but never changed out the struts. I live near the ocean and last week the connection between bracket and strut broke completely from rust. I’m worried if I pay for new electric they still won’t work. I might just stick with the manual. Would appreciate your thoughts.

[@benblackwell44]

For my 2013 Highlander, my lift gate opens ok with remote but closing starts and then stops and return to full open position. My struts are non-electric. Any thoughts?

[@trackpalmer]

If they are manual struts I don't see any reason for them not to close. If there are problems with the strut it would be when opening and the lift gate won't be able to stay open. I am thinking you have the type with two manual struts and one automatic strut that push the gate open. Could you email me a picture to the email in the description?

[@ramonabrooks1202]

I had this problem on my 2017 highlander. Bought after market struts on ebay, with a warranty and it stops short of closing, about 5 inches and beeps twice. Then i manually have to close it the rest of the way. Any thoughts?

[@trackpalmer]

That might happen occasionally. It’s the stupid safety sensor in Toyota

[@viking236]

Well i have another option, check yours Hinges which are made from crappy metal, some times they go from posisjon because of weather then its cold, or just a wind blow then power gate are open, and gues what? You can't close the door or open it property!

[@trackpalmer]

Noted

[@ptienofva]

My highlander will produce a 3-6 second long beep and then not open. Glass panel is closed. No obstructions. I even reset the lift gate button in the glove compartment. Any ideas?

[@trackpalmer]

Only thing come to mind is the lock itself in the lift gate. Something could be affecting it right where it's locked. Try this.. go to the back and press the button on the lift gate to open while pulling the gate to force it open. Of listen to the lock attempting to open. You should hear the attempt

[@toxicglitter13]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong and how to fix it? Mine is doing the same exact thing

[@hucarr5703]

Thank you

[@trackpalmer]

Happy to help

[@MuhammadKhan-fk6pg]

Hi on my 2018 Toyota Highlander xle hybrid i replaced automatic to manual but manual have no cable to contact with power. When i close tailgate and it get locked. With power button it’s not getting unlocked. Anyone know how to solve this issue ?

[@trackpalmer]

Manual struts have no power connection. As the name suggest it has to be manually opened. You won't be able to use the key fob or the button in the car to open it. You will have to use your hand and help pull it open. I had that problem too and I went back to automatic struts. See one of my latest videos showing how to go back to automatic struts. I also have a link in the description to a good automatic struts for $298. The company is based in Canada

[@MuhammadKhan-fk6pg]

@@trackpalmer No sir I’m taking about tailgate get locked on hatch with buttons we’re unable to unlock. Until it’s not getting unlock we can not lift tailgate. i see your both videos about this on Highlander.

[@trackpalmer]

@@MuhammadKhan-fk6pg only other thing I can suggest is ensure you disabled the automatic liftgate button which is where the glove box is

[@MuhammadKhan-fk6pg]

@@trackpalmer no it’s on anyway i try with on & off. Now when ever i close tailgate it’s get locked and i run in side little place in tailgate panels i push that to open. But this just pain.

[@leeshelenberger7240]

Mine does not close

[@trackpalmer]

Most likely the struts

[@kennyIO]

Replaced the strut and it still wouldn't open.

[@trackpalmer]

Check the button in the glove box

[@SandroAl-Bakzou]

Thank you so much will you save me $600 for the glass window he was driving in the beach and then we forget to close the close window

[@trackpalmer]

Happy to help 🫡

[@deanx1722]

🙌 P"R"O"M"O"S"M!!!

[@trackpalmer]

🫡

[@davidhess6561]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@trackpalmer]

No problem 👍