[lionkings]

I have the 2015 Toyota Highlander Limited and the power liftgate recently stopped working. I was in the process of cleaning the car at the carwash and when I pressed the button to close it, it only closed partially and I tried everything and it would not go down all the way. I then just manually pushed it in order to shut the liftgate totally.

Now it doesn't open either using the button inside the vehicle or the button on the remote.

Is this something that can be fixed by a "regular" mechanic shop or do I need to go to the dealer? I am so weary of dealers since they charge so much but I really need to get this fixed sooner than later.

 

[themama]

did you check if the glass door is properly closed? try to open close that once..

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[TeesHigh]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

 

[lionkings]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

Thank you very much. I followed your instructions above and it is working perfectly now. I can't imagine how much Toyota or some other mechanic would have wanted to charge me to fix this.

 

[Copalite]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

Thank you. This worked for me. My tailgate returned to life by doing the above. Heard only 3 beeps though after pushing rear latch button. Many thanks, saved maintenance visit and rental car tomorrow.

 

[HoneoyeLake]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

Thanks from another Highlander owner!!! I’ve got a 2014 and the tailgate started acting up today. It would only open a few inches and would not close at all. Checked the normal culprits - rear hatch window, button in the glove box, nothing worked. Followed your instructions and its now working again

 

[Alan Barclay]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

And another big THANK YOU, for a 2018 Highlander that had a power drain issue and the liftgate wouldn't close. Just two flashing lights and two beeps driving me crazy trying to figure it out! Really appreciate you sharing this and solving my problem exactly one day before a big trip! Seriously, THANK YOU, bro!

 

[Skoobar]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

Wow! This actually worked on our 2018, too! Thanks for sharing this tip so long ago. It saved us from a trip to the dealer!

 

[TLEdenver]

This just worked for my 2019! Thank you!! The inside hatch button did not work and now everything is working!!!

 

[klo1320]

Does anyone know what causes this situation? Battery drain?

 

[scipper77]

I feel like the mods should consider adding this thread to the sticky list.

 

[Kim S.]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

Thank you so much for this post! I tried it and it worked! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

 

[ADinWI]

Our 2017 acted up one time and thru the below procedure, it came back to life is the way I looked at it. No problems since.
1) Put rear hatch in off mode via glove compartment button(off is with button in out position)
2) Open hatch manually all the way
3) With hatch opened fully, press and hold rear latch button until you hear 4 quick beeps
4) Place hatch back in on position via the glove compartment button.
5) Attempt to open hatch with fob, rear lift gate button or front dash button

2015 Highlander Limited here. I changed the battery and everything worked perfectly, except the lift gate. I couldn’t get it to make a noise with the fob or the button on the gate, but I could get two beeps with the button to the left of the steering wheel. After watching several videos and not getting anywhere I found this, and it worked perfectly! Thank you!!

 

[Teg741]

2015 Highlander Limited here. I changed the battery and everything worked perfectly, except the lift gate. I couldn’t get it to make a noise with the fob or the button on the gate, but I could get two beeps with the button to the left of the steering wheel. After watching several videos and not getting anywhere I found this, and it worked perfectly! Thank you!!

I am having the same trouble the liftgate will not open at all but the only thing I have different from everybody else is I can't get the liftgate in the upright position.
Any ideas?

 

[Mike Cr]

My problem on a '14 RAV4 was initially that the power liftgate didn't operate. Eventually traced to the disable button in the glovebox, which I didn't even know was there. It must have been pressed when I tried to put something in there while reaching across from the driver seat. Once I'd found the problem and turned it back on I then had the problem that it only closed partway. Stopped partway, beeped and backed up about an inch. If you look at the outer edges of the liftgate you'll find there's a rubber strip at the edge. like a door seal but smaller. It's a sensor that will stop the door if it comes into contact with something while the door is CLOSING. Try it - while the door is closing, press on the sensor strip and you'll find the door will stop and back up slightly. In my case the left hand strip was touching the light cluster as it closed. I must have introduced a warp opening and closing the door while the power operqtion was disabled. Now all I have to do is work out how to realign it so the sensor strip clears the light cluster.

 

[edwin617]

My problem on a '14 RAV4 was initially that the power liftgate didn't operate. Eventually traced to the disable button in the glovebox, which I didn't even know was there. It must have been pressed when I tried to put something in there while reaching across from the driver seat. Once I'd found the problem and turned it back on I then had the problem that it only closed partway. Stopped partway, beeped and backed up about an inch. If you look at the outer edges of the liftgate you'll find there's a rubber strip at the edge. like a door seal but smaller. It's a sensor that will stop the door if it comes into contact with something while the door is CLOSING. Try it - while the door is closing, press on the sensor strip and you'll find the door will stop and back up slightly. In my case the left hand strip was touching the light cluster as it closed. I must have introduced a warp opening and closing the door while the power operqtion was disabled. Now all I have to do is work out how to realign it so the sensor strip clears the light cluster.

I'm having the same issue with my '16 RAV4 Hybrid Limited. I press the open button (either keyfob, driver side, or trunk/hatch/liftgate) and it opens about an inch then stops itself and beeps twice. I think something is triggering the sensor. Can you post a pic of it? I am just trying to get a visual so that I can check it out. Please let me know. Thanks so much for all the posts everyone!!!

 

[2017Highlander]

I feel like the mods should consider adding this thread to the sticky list.

Ditto.

 

[Mike Cr]

I'm having the same issue with my '16 RAV4 Hybrid Limited. I press the open button (either keyfob, driver side, or trunk/hatch/liftgate) and it opens about an inch then stops itself and beeps twice. I think something is triggering the sensor. Can you post a pic of it? I am just trying to get a visual so that I can check it out. Please let me know. Thanks so much for all the posts everyone!!!

I don't think it's the same thing. Here's a picture of the sensor

It's the thing that looks like a rubber tube running between the lift strut and the door edge. At the right hand end is a black plastic housing which is presumably where the connections are. It runs from there to the bottom corner of the door. It only operates when the door is closing. If anything presses against it (e.g. a hand caught in the closing door) it will stop, give a double beep and back up slightly. In your case the double beep and the door stopping on opening is what you get if there is something stopping the door from opening. I'd check there is nothing caught between the door and the body or in the latching mechanism. You could also check there's nothing that's fallen into the gap at the top of the liftgate that's stopping it from opening. You can simulate these effects with a working liftgate. While it's closing just press a finger anywhere on the rubber sensor. While it's opening just press your hand against the door to stop it.

 

[raengler73]

Thank you very much. I followed your instructions above and it is working perfectly now. I can't imagine how much Toyota or some other mechanic would have wanted to charge me to fix this.

On my 2015 Highlander Limited I tried this...It only beeps twice, and didn't solve the problem. The lift gate only comes up about halfway and stops. It comes down ok, and if I pull it all the way up, it comes down and closes ok. Suggestions?

 

[raengler73]

On my 2015 Highlander Limited I tried this...It only beeps twice, and didn't solve the problem. The lift gate only comes up about halfway and stops. It comes down ok, and if I pull it all the way up, it comes down and closes ok. Suggestions?

Turned out the problem was in the setting on the lift gate. On the Apps screen, click on Setup, Scroll to Vehicle, then select Vehicle Customization, then Other Vehicle Settings, then Power Back Door Opening Adjust, set it to 5. Not exactly intuitive... Here's a YouTube that got me in the ballpark... Troubleshooting highlander rear door 2014 to 2019 - YouTube