Toyota Alphard: Tailgate Hydraulic Strut Failure - Tailgate Falls

The AGH30 Alphard uses a pair of gas-charged hydraulic struts to hold the power tailgate in the open position. After 7-10 years of use, the internal gas charge and hydraulic fluid in each strut degrades, reducing the holding force below what is required to support the tailgate mass (approximately 18-22 kg). The result is a tailgate that drifts downward slowly when opened, accelerates downward as the strut fails further, and ultimately falls freely when both struts have failed — creating a head-strike hazard for anyone standing in the opening. Vehicles with a power tailgate actuator motor may mask early strut failure because the motor holds the gate electronically, but manual opening will reveal the fault. NZ units are affected earlier due to UV exposure and temperature cycling degrading the strut seals.

• Tailgate slowly drifting or creeping downward after being opened
• Tailgate falling rapidly when released or opened manually
• Tailgate requiring manual support to remain open
• Strut body feeling soft or compressible rather than rigid when pressed
• Creaking or squeaking noise from the strut mounts during tailgate operation

1. 1

   Open the tailgate fully and release it — it must hold its position without drifting for at least 60 seconds.

2. 2

   Attempt to push the tailgate downward with light hand pressure; a functional strut should resist firmly.

3. 3

   Inspect each strut body for oil weeping around the shaft seal.

4. 4

   Check the strut mounting bushings at both ends for cracking or detachment from the bracket.

5. 5

   Confirm the power tailgate motor operates the gate smoothly without the motor straining.

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

$180 to $520 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.

• “Does the tailgate hold itself open without being supported?”
• “Have the tailgate struts been replaced at any point?”
• “Does the power tailgate motor operate the gate smoothly without stalling?”
• “Are there any rattles or creaks from the rear of the vehicle when driving over bumps?”

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.