Why doesn't the rear hatch close and lock button work all the time?

[DHermit]

Does anyone know why can't I use the lock and close button on my tailgate most of the time when it's open? It will let me close it, but not use the lock and close button. When I push it, it beeps a few times at me and doesn't close. It only allows that locking feature about 10% of the time and I don't understand what circumstances cause it to disable that feature? I have the fob in my pocket, I turn the vehicle off, open the rear hatch from the inside, grab stuff out, then try to press the lock and close and this is when it doesn't work. Any insight would be appreciated!

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[onlywayman]

Either a window/moonroof or rear window is open or ignition is on
Hope it helps

 

[Doofy]

i've had this a more than a few times too, and not sure why. ignition was off & all windows were closed

will see if i can figure out why. i do recall something in the manual about this though

 

[kekecarioca]

Same

 

[HY80ftw]

It will only close and lock if it can sense that the key is both not in the vehicle and not too far away from the vehicle. I found there is a sweet spot you have to have the key for the lock button on the tailgate to actually work.

 

[sliver]

I have the same problem. Locking should not be a problem... ever.

Owner: My car was stolen
Police officer: Was the car locked?
Owner: Don't know it refuses to lock half the time...

Siiiigh... Enshitification of technology sometimes...

 

[ggrant20]

It will only close and lock if it can sense that the key is both not in the vehicle and not too far away from the vehicle. I found there is a sweet spot you have to have the key for the lock button on the tailgate to actually work.

This is what I have found too, if I'm off to the side or have the fob in my pocket on the opposite side of my body at full arm's length it's far enough where it wont detect it. I've just started to make sure I'm standing close to the bumper and works better.

Edit:
Was curious what the manual says, apparently the range is 11.8-19.7 in from the bumper

 

[MikeD]

I've had it work but it is inconsistent.
You need to walk away (per the manual) but I can't yet figure out exactly the pace or distance after hitting the button.
I like the feature but its more reliable (and thus saves time for the random not working) to just hit the close button and tap the front door handle on the way by. So that is what I tend to do.
I find the kick open/close feature to be similarly unreliable - but a great help when hands are full so I keep swinging my leg until it works.

 

[ggrant20]

I've had it work but it is inconsistent.
You need to walk away (per the manual) but I can't yet figure out exactly the pace or distance after hitting the button.
I like the feature but its more reliable (and thus saves time for the random not working) to just hit the close button and tap the front door handle on the way by. So that is what I tend to do.
I find the kick open/close feature to be similarly unreliable - but a great help when hands are full so I keep swinging my leg until it works.

Completely agree, I haven’t gotten the hang of the leg either and look ridiculous kicking again and again

 

[Archer]

I gave up on the kicky thing, wife nails it every time.

Seems the only time it even senses my foot is when I'm up against the bumper and sliding something in or out, then it dings and wants to squash me...lol


.

 

[HVLA]

Either a window/moonroof or rear window is open or ignition is on
Hope it helps

You cant leave your windows cracked and use that button?

 

[Jakethewhippet1]

You cant leave your windows cracked and use that button?

You can have the side windows down and the close/lock button still works on mine. Using the close/lock button seems to be somewhat erratic. At times, I need to be standing directly under the button to get it to work. Other times it seems to be much less sensitive.

I have the kick sensor disabled in Carista so I do not use that at all.

 

[Doofy]

I gave up on the kicky thing, wife nails it every time.

Seems the only time it even senses my foot is when I'm up against the bumper and sliding something in or out, then it dings and wants to squash me...lol


.

Same

 

[L-2]

I'm still trying various kick locations and techniques for the rear hatch to open and close. Just a few minutes ago, I was getting the audible error when only pushing the close & lock hatch button. I later realized one key fob was in my pocket, but the other key fob was still in the 4Runner. Once I had both keyfobs out of the SUV, the close & lock button resumed working again.

It was only the close & lock button which didn't function with a key fob inside. The other 3 or so hatch closing buttons still worked and the door locking buttons still worked. I suppose I could still mistakenly lock my key fob(s) inside. There's no more manual locks or keys AFAIK.

 

[DangItsDen]

Pretty hilarious that you have to be close enough for the key to register for the hatch to close and lock, but then immediately GTFO of there before the hatch hits you in the head Some of this technology is ridiculous.

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