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2012 Acadia liftgate struts failling

10K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  divotdug 
#1 ·
Saw a lot of discussion on this where it's cold or warm where it's the same problem, but in my case is it definitely appears to be affected by weather.

Whenever the weather is 60 or below (for the most part) the liftgate will go up and not do the "clunk" noise and will come back down. Nearly 100% of the time when it is 75 or higher it will always stay up and when it lifts up it makes that clunk noise and it stays up. In fact many times it has does this where it will not stay up when it's cold, but when it warms up it stays up during the day it will, and then in the evening when it gets cold, it will again fall down after opening.

Besides replacing the struts (since some say it did not help), is there any other fixes? Maybe it's going bad or could it be something is just freezing up when it's cold?
 
#2 ·
Check the build date and see if this recall applies to your car (assuming it's equipped with the power lift gate):

#15240: Product Safety - Power Lift Gate Prop Rod Recovery - (Nov 10, 2015)
Models: 2007-2012 GMC Acadia Built Prior to March 1, 2012 and Equipped with Power Lift Gate (TB5 or E61) These vehicles may have a condition in which the gas struts that hold the lift gate up may prematurely wear. These vehicles have a Prop Rod Recovery system intended to accomplish a controlled, slow return of the lift gate to the closed position if the lift gate’s gas struts are no longer capable of supporting the weight of the lift gate. However, in some cases, the lift gate’s Prop Rod Recovery system software may be unable to detect/stop a lift gate with prematurely worn gas struts from falling too quickly after the lift gate is opened. If the open lift gate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will reprogram the Accessory and Lift Gate Control Module with a new software calibration intended to mitigate the condition. Additionally, after reprogramming the vehicle, dealers will verify power lift gate operation. If this functionality check reveals that the reprogramming was ineffective because one or both lift gate gas struts are no longer capable of supporting the weight of the lift gate, dealers are to replace both struts.

It might be worth a trip to the GM service center.
 
#4 ·
GeorgeC said:
WOW!!! I would never have guessed in a hundred years that there would be software involved in the lift gate. It is no wonder that modern vehicles are so expensive and over complicated.
George, I think you'll find everything on the car but the cupholders is computer-controlled in one way or another - hence the need for software. :facepalm: Once they install heated/cooled cupholders, game over!! ;D ;D
 
#5 ·
Speleos said:
George, I think you'll find everything on the car but the cupholders is computer-controlled in one way or another - hence the need for software. :facepalm: Once they install heated/cooled cupholders, game over!! ;D ;D
That is a good one. But please do not say that out loud. Someone may hear you and actually do it.

George
 
#7 ·
jcbecker28 said:
Chrysler has heated and cooled cupholders for a few years now.
"It's the end of the world as we know it!" :tunes: (darned Italian engineers) :jaw:
 
#8 ·
My liftgate is now on it's third set of struts, and those also fail during cold weather. Design flaw. In the winter I keep a piece of PVC pipe with the ends notched out to wedge properly in the liftgate.
 
#12 ·
Struts failing again

I had GM replace them as part of the recall, now they are failing again and the liftgate is acting like it will "peak" but then drops down to hit my 2 year old in the head. Dealership says its not going to do anything a second time. Do you guys think GM should repair it again as part of the original recall?
 
#10 ·
rbarrios said:
wow- 3rd set!
The 2010 went through two sets in the first 60,000 km's I owned it (37,500 miles)

The cold just destroys them!
 
#11 ·
Unfortunately my acadia never showed up in the recall...probably wrong production time.

So sounds like best to bring it to GMC to fix it. They quote me $170 for parts + labor. (it's 3 arms. Left, right and a locking arm on the left)

Anyone know of a good aftermarket strut that I could replace it? Or is that not good since there is some computer element to this?
 
#16 ·
my previously owned Acadia's have all popped when raising the rear door when its cold. evidently they have fixed what ever was causing this because the 2019 doesn't do it.
 
#21 · (Edited)
You're not guaranteed a lifetime of recalls!!! In fact, some recalls expire and you'd be SOL if it's not done withing the time frame.
 
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