The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact depressed the tailgate locking mechanism and while exiting a parking lot, the tailgate independently unlocked causing items to fall out of the vehicle. The contact stated that the electrical tailgate locking mechanisms failed and the contact would have to manually lock the tailgate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer advised that the hinges on the tailgate would need to be replaced. The dealer replaced all of the hinges and latches but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there was not a repair that would permanently correct the issue. The dealer stated that they would replace the hinges at their expense for up to seven years or 70,000 miles. The failure mileage was 11,000.

- Hockessin, DE, USA