Amount of force required to close hatch?

[jacamania]

Hi Guys, just bought a QX50 a few weeks back. We have owned two hatchbacks before this, a Mazda3 and a GTI. I love the QX50, but one thing that kind of bothers me a little is that compared to the two hatches that we had, the QX50 seems to require quite a bit more force to close the hatch for it to shut completely. Just wondering if anyone has every felt the same way and if there is anything that I can do.

[Audimontreal]

Congrats and welcome!
This is odd since our EX's hatch and hood are made of aluminum to help reduce weight ...
Maybe it requires a couple of weeks until the oil/lubricant inside the control arms get broken into? Otherwise simply ask your dealer and compare with the demo cars
I find mine to work effortlessly compared to old cars I've owned before

Let's see what others have to say as well

[EXceptional]

The hatches are really easy to close.

I'd like to think that yours will get easier over time.

Be careful what you wish for, some people complain that in the winter time, the hatch cant even stay up when the gas struts get cold. It's as if there's no gas in the struts at all. I'm not sure how cold it gets in your area.

Welcome to the forums.

[mk15]

Hi Guys, just bought a QX50 a few weeks back. We have owned two hatchbacks before this, a Mazda3 and a GTI. I love the QX50, but one thing that kind of bothers me a little is that compared to the two hatches that we had, the QX50 seems to require quite a bit more force to close the hatch for it to shut completely. Just wondering if anyone has every felt the same way and if there is anything that I can do.

I had the same issue initially when I switched to the QX50 from a Mazda CX-7. But that's because the QX50s hatch is light/easy to move that when you close the hatch you get tricked into using less force when closing. I've since learned to give it a little extra oomph right before I let go when I shut the hatch. Otherwise it has less inertia to close.

Semi nerdy explanation: Door is lighter, you need less force to move it and with less initial force, you have less inertia for the door to follow-through and shut completely.

[CalgaryDan]

The first few times we closed the hatch, my wife and I, we were surprised that unlike the FX hatch and the G37 trunk there was no power assist. We'd gotten used to just lower the hatch/trunk until the power assist grabbed it and secured it closed. As a result, the first dozen times we never applied enough force and the hatch did not close all the way. Now that we're "trained" we apply enough force the close the hatch although I usually tend to slam the poor thing too hard

[jacamania]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think the issue is that first the gate is quite light-weight, so there is less momentum when it comes down. And second, the actual latch, lock, and the rubber seal near the latch might need a little "breaking-in". I probably won't do anything to it now and see how well it latches as the miles add up.

[joeypucks]

Hi Jacamania,
I just got a used 2014 QX50 myself & I experience the same exact thing. I love the car but this tailgate bothers me, not only is it much harder to close than my previous car but I tend to want to put 1st pull it then put my hand on it to finish closing. But there should be a larger steel/aluminum area for my hand but I find myself pushing it with my hand on the paint, which I don't want to do. Also there is only one hand slot on one side underneath instead of two.
I'm sure you find it easier after all this time from this post but I'm wondering if you found it easier because of habit or because those pistons wore?
Thanks
Joe

[sg77]

...1st pull it then put my hand on it to finish closing. But there should be a larger steel/aluminum area for my hand but I find myself pushing it with my hand on the paint, which I don't want to do. Also there is only one hand slot on one side underneath instead of two.

I also don't like putting my hand on the paint, if it's dirty. Sometimes I close it in one motion just by pulling down hard using the hand slot (though it's not the easiest to get a good grip on it, and to quickly pull my hand out).