While parked in my driveway and seated in the drivers' seat, I activated the rear lift-gate via the center roof console button. I exited the drivers' side door and proceeded toward the rear of the vehicle. At this time the lift-gate was still rising, and to all observance, acting normally. As I got to the rear of the vehicle the door was almost at its apex. While standing outside the vehicle, I bent down to get something out of the rear cargo area. I have done this hundreds of times with no concern because the lift-gate is designed to stay open once it reaches the top of its opening cycle. As I stood up to leave the area of the vehicle, the lift-gate came down without warning or activation on my part and hit me on my head and shoulder. I had not pulled down on the manually retraction handle on the inside of the lift-gate and no one had activated the button inside the vehicle at the console. After tending to my bleeding head and sore shoulder, I returned to the vehicle to try and duplicate the event. I am able to duplicate the event each time the lift-gate is activated. It does not matter whether the lift-gate is activated by the remote control fob, the console, or the manual lever on the door. Any time the door is opened, it reaches its apex and automatically and immediately retracts down to the closed position. I contacted the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they told me that since my warranty has ended, I would need to pay a "diagnostic fee" of $118/hour. I thought this was unfair so I contacted the manufacturer's customer relations department. I was also told that since there were not recalls on this part of this vehicle, they "could not help with the repairs." After encountering my second dead-end for assistance, I did a simple google search to see if anyone else has had this problem. Hundreds have, which is why I decided to contact NHTSA. Updated 08/21/14 updated 5/22/2015

- Miller Place, NY, USA