Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Power Tailgate Hydraulic Strut Failure & Drop

The L494 Range Rover Sport is fitted with a powered tailgate system using hydraulic gas struts to support and operate the heavy tailgate lid. The hydraulic struts lose pressure over time through micro-seepage at the piston rod seal, and are particularly vulnerable to UV degradation of the rubber end bushings. A weakening strut allows the tailgate to drift downward when released, and a fully failed strut results in the tailgate falling under its own weight — a significant safety hazard capable of causing head or neck injuries. The failure is progressive: initially the tailgate may fail to hold fully open, then it drops slowly, then rapidly. In cold temperatures the hydraulic fluid thickens and masks the fault temporarily. The power actuator motor can also be overloaded trying to compensate for failing struts, leading to secondary motor burnout. Replacement is typically done in pairs to maintain even support.

• Tailgate drifting downward when released and not staying in the fully open position
• Tailgate falling suddenly under its own weight when opened manually or after power opening
• Tailgate power motor straining sound or failing to fully open in cold weather
• Tailgate warning chime or fault message: 'Tailgate not fully open'
• Visible oil film or residue on the strut body near the seal area
• Tailgate closing more slowly or less positively than when new

1. 1

   Open the tailgate fully — either manually or via power — and release it at the fully open position.

2. 2

   Step back and observe whether it holds position or begins to slowly or rapidly drop.

3. 3

   Inspect both left and right hydraulic struts for oil residue, crusty deposits around the seal, or visible corrosion on the piston rod.

4. 4

   Check the rubber end cap bushings for cracking or perishing.

5. 5

   If the vehicle has a power tailgate, confirm the motor completes a full open and close cycle without straining noises.

6. 6

   Note the ambient temperature — test at room temperature to remove cold-weather masking.

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

$550 to $1,900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “Has the tailgate ever fallen or failed to stay open, and have the struts been replaced?”
• “Does the tailgate currently hold fully open when released by hand?”
• “Has the tailgate power motor ever been replaced or shown fault messages?”
• “How old are the current struts, and were they replaced as a pair?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.