Rear tailgate release levers - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Nicholas · 11-08-2009, 06:23 PM

The right (passenger) side tailgate release lever has broken with the tailgate in the closed position. I can not open the tailgate. Has others had this problem? Parts are ordered and we"ll see...

lilsmartguy · 11-09-2009, 08:24 PM

If you stick a small flat head screw driver in there you can usually press against the part of the tab that is left broken on the lock mech. You'll end up pressing down and back kinda and it will release not a lot of resistance on it.

conchobar · 01-04-2010, 07:04 PM

I've just had the same thing happen to me. I hope to take the car into the dealer this weekend. I'll post what they charge me.

Drewid · 01-09-2010, 02:59 PM

I just had mine break on the left hand side and it's putting a damper on changing the oil at the moment. I'll try the screwdriver trick for opening it. I'd like to see what the mechanism looks like before trying to mess with it too much.

Mud Pie · 01-09-2010, 03:15 PM

I just recently learned that the coupes do not have the electric tailgate release that the cabrios enjoy.

Anyone ever find out why ?

mvaldes · 01-09-2010, 03:58 PM

FWIW, the coupe has an electric rear window release. Maybe ya only get one release per car.

Mud Pie · 01-09-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvaldes

FWIW, the coupe has an electric rear window release. Maybe ya only get one release per car.

Didn't know that. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer the coupe had the electric tailgate release that automatically pops the rear glass open. How often does one open one without opening the other ?

**JPaul** · 01-09-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud Pie

Didn't know that. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer the coupe had the electric tailgate release that automatically pops the rear glass open. How often does one open one without opening the other ?

Most of the time. Only heavy or bulky loads require to drop the tailgate. The rest (e.g. light grocery bag) just goes in from above...

heraldhamster · 01-10-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud Pie

...I'd prefer the coupe had the electric tailgate release that automatically pops the rear glass open...?

I haven't done it yet, but I understand there's a fairly simple & straightforward DIY "fix" for this.

mrc59 · 01-10-2010, 09:23 AM

This happened to me (on the left) and the repair was covered under warranty. These latches are fragile and like being tripped together. If you have something in one hand, that's hard to do.

Once fixed, just go easy on them when you open the tailgate.