Liftgate Intermittently Doesn't Open on First Try

[garne2t]

About 1 in 3 times, when I push the liftgate open button on the liftgate, it beeps, the tailgate lights flash, I hear the doors unlock, but the liftgate doesn't open. The second time I push the liftgate button, it always opens. This happens, again intermittently, after I close the liftgate, and lock the car, with the lock button on the liftgate. Anyone experience this?

I took the car to Lexus Service and we were able to duplicate the issue twice when I dropped off the car--once with the service advisor, and once with a technician. I was later told they found two codes in the computer. B2251. They cleared the codes, and then kept the car for 2 days and said they couldn't duplicate the issue again so didn't do anything to fix it. I requested they do something to fix it as I was quite sure clearing the code would not fix the issue but they stated it was their "policy" to require duplication of the issue. I explained they had already seen the issue twice but they still refused to make any attempts at fixing anything.

When I got home, the very first time I tried to duplicate the issue, the liftgate didn't open on the first press. 😞 

Thoughts?

[Carbuff2]

Two possibilities:

 

1. Sticking Seal: Clean the rubber seal around the hatch area. Then, put a little talcum powder on your fingers and coat the rubber's contact area.

 

2. Sticking lock mechanism: A few drops of a light oil will assure that the latch fully releases when you push the electric release  button.

 

Please post back as to whether this works or not. 😇

[garne2t]

Thanks Carbuff2. I felt the hatch seals and they were very clean and not sticky at all. I ended up taking my car to Lexus for warranty repairs and they ended up replacing the hatch switch. So far, so good and fingers crossed.

[RX400h06]

Your 2003 Lexus is still under warranty?