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Climate control, bodywork and interior

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 50 faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork in 50 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: risk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming off (Renault Twingo III), risk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015) (Citroën C4 Cactus) and recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert) (Tesla Model 3).

Documented faults
50
18 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
50
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
50
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

5 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Tailgate, bonnet and bodywork parts

Under this label we group faults in moving or external bodywork parts: tailgate gas struts, bonnet catches, door handles, trim, spoilers or engine undertrays. Several have been corrected with recalls because a part could come loose while driving.

What to do

If the tailgate will not stay open, replace the gas struts: they can drop suddenly. Check that the bonnet is properly closed after any service and look up your car's campaigns with the VIN.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Twingo IIIRisk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming offYes: Renault recalled the Twingo III in 2016 and again in 2019-2021 over the risk of the bonnet coming loose while driving, and separately, up to the end of 2016, over the roof spoiler coming off and the rear window mountings; across the three campaigns several hundred thousand units were affected.
  2. 2Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 CactusRisk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015)Citroën recalled the first C4 Cactus cars, built between March 2014 and September 2015, because the bonnet can open while driving owing to a mounting that could be improved, which blocks the driver's view.
  3. 3Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model 3Recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)In April 2022, an alert in the European product safety system (Safety Gate), submitted by France and also confirmed by the Netherlands, warned that the bonnet latch bolt on the Tesla Model 3 and Model S could fracture through vibration at high speed, letting the bonnet open while driving and block the driver's view.
  4. 4High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IIIEngine undertray can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 recall (ref. R2022299) covers Berlingo IIIs built between November 2017 and September 2021 whose lower metal engine undertray can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  5. 5High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCupra Ateca2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)Yes: in 2022, 30,466 cars with the 2.0 TSI engine from the Cupra Ateca, Cupra Leon, Cupra Formentor and Seat Leon ranges, built between 24 July 2020 and 2 March 2022, were recalled because the engine cover can come loose and touch the hot area of the exhaust and turbo. The check is free of charge and takes about 30 minutes.Repair: €0
  6. 6High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCupra FormentorEngine cover can come looseIn March 2022 Cupra recalled a series of Formentors because the plastic engine cover was not properly secured and could come loose while driving. Auto Express documents the recall without giving a unit figure.Repair: €0
  7. 7High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCupra LeónThe 2.0 TSI engine cover can come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)Yes: in 2022, 30,466 cars with the 2.0 TSI engine in the Leon, Cupra Leon, Cupra Ateca and Cupra Formentor ranges, built between 24 July 2020 and 2 March 2022, were recalled because the engine cover can come loose and touch the hot area of the exhaust and turbo. The check is free and takes about 30 minutes.Repair: €0
  8. 8High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDacia Logan IIIFront bonnet latch washer breakageA defective washer or core in the bonnet latch can break and let the bonnet open while driving. It affects Logans built in Pitesti between 5 November and 23 December 2020; replacement is free at the official network and takes about 4 hours.
  9. 9High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord C-Max IThe tailgate can open by itself because of a defective microswitchA defective microswitch in the C-Max's tailgate handle can make it open by itself, even while driving, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.
  10. 10High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Citan W415Unintended tailgate opening from moisture in the reversing camera wiring harnessYes: on Citans with a reversing camera built between 25 February 2015 and 16 November 2020, moisture could get into the camera wiring harness and make the tailgate open by itself, even while driving. There is a recall; it does not affect every car.
  11. 11High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Combo EThe engine undershield can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 campaign (ref. KAE/200511EE) covers Combo E vehicles built between 12 March 2018 and 17 September 2021 whose metal engine undershield can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  12. 12High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot RifterEngine undertray can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 recall (ref. r2022298) covers Rifters built between October 2017 and September 2021 whose lower metal engine undertray can trap plant matter or other debris next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  13. 13High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat TarracoThe protective engine cover can come offYes: Seat recalled 2,309 Tarraco cars built between October 2020 and February 2022 because the protective engine cover could come off while driving. The brand replaced the defective cover free of charge.Repair: €0
  14. 14High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSmart FortwoFront service cover (maintenance flap) that can come off at high speedYes: in 2016 Safety Gate and the DVSA recorded a recall for the Fortwo's front plastic cover (between the windscreen and the headlights), whose catches might not meet the specification and let it come off at high speed in strong wind. It affects cars built from April 2014 to October 2015.
  15. 15High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce CityThe engine undershield can trap material and cause a fireAccording to the German KBA, an unsuitable metal engine undershield can collect combustible debris (leaves, grass) that ignites next to the exhaust on Proace City models from 2019 to 2021; the Peugeot Rifter and Opel Combo campaigns describe the same type of undershield defect.
  16. 16High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Tiguan IIRoof spoiler coming off on the R-Line versionYes, in a specific batch: Volkswagen recalled 2,627 Tiguan R-Line cars built between 1 November 2016 and 31 December 2019 because the rear roof spoiler could come away partially or completely due to a deviation in the bonding process during manufacture.Repair: €0
  17. 17Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonPeugeot 107Water leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Peugeot 107 IOwners describe water getting in through the boot, rear light and door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  18. 18Critical severityRareFrequency: RareOpel Astra LDefective door handles with a risk of opening while driving (2022 campaign)Opel issued a recall in August 2022 for Astra L cars built at the start of that year because a defective exterior door handle might not close properly, with a risk of the door opening while driving.
  19. 19Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Z4 E85/E86Electric hood motor and mechanism failureAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the electric hood on the Z4 E85 is the most frequently cited fault outside the engine: 13 of 78 reports mention a failed motor, jamming or water drainage problems, between 100,000 and 220,000 km.
  20. 20Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Citroën C1 IOwners describe water getting in through the seals of the tailgate, the rear window, the doors and the third brake light, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  21. 21Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIRecall for corrosion of the tailgate damper bracketYes: the brackets that hold the Mazda3 BL's tailgate gas struts can rust from road salt and break, so the tailgate may not stay open or may slam shut.
  22. 22Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIRecall over corrosion in the boot or tailgate gas strutsYes: on Mazda6 GH cars built between October 2007 and August 2008, the end caps of the boot or tailgate gas struts can corrode, with a risk of it slamming shut.
  23. 23Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 ITailgate gas strut failure due to corrosionYes: Mazda recalled first-generation CX-5s built between November 2011 and December 2015 because the gas strut that holds up the tailgate can corrode inside and lose pressure or break, letting the tailgate fall if it is not held.
  24. 24Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IVUnderbody protective panel coming away on the first vehicles built in 2015A 2019 recall affects MX-5 ND models built between 26 May and 6 July 2015: the fixing of the underbody protective panel was insufficient and it could come loose, fall onto the road and damage tyres or put traffic behind at risk.
  25. 25Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IIIExterior door handles that do not always close properlySeveral testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr describe exterior door handles that do not always close properly and a notice to dealers in October 2022 for Peugeot 308 units assembled between February 2021 and January 2022; erratic operation of the keyless entry key (hands-free) is also reported.
  26. 26Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki IgnisRecall over insufficient bonnet latch fixingsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, in February 2022 there was a recall over inadequate fixings of the bonnet latch and of the brackets of a removable panel. The page does not specify the number of cars or the build dates.
  27. 27Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Aygo IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Toyota Aygo IOwners describe water getting in through the third brake light seal and the floor and rear door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault with no official campaign, according to owner reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr.
  28. 28High severityRareFrequency: RareCitroën C4 IIRisk of the bonnet opening unexpectedly (2009-2016 production)A 2016 recall (ref. r2016241) covers vehicles built between 19 November 2009 and 27 May 2016 in which the bonnet could open unexpectedly while driving.
  29. 29Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Clio IIIThe fuel flap does not openA common failure of the small motor that releases the fuel flap leaves the cover closed and forces you to repair or replace it; Caradisiac flags it as a common problem ("dysfonctionnement courant") on the Clio III.
  30. 30Medium severityRareFrequency: RareAudi TT IIFailure of the electric roof servomotors on the TT RoadsterAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (187 for this model), several Roadster owners report faults in the roof mechanism; one report cites the replacement of two servomotors for 1,309 euros.
  31. 31Medium severityRareFrequency: RareBMW X5 F15Panoramic roof water leaks and power tailgate failure on the X5 F15According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (56 for the 2013-2018 X5), water can get in through the panoramic roof because of blocked drains and damage the wiring, and faults with the power tailgate and the soft-close latch are cited (50d, 90,000 km).
  32. 32Medium severityRareFrequency: RareFord Focus IVPossible detachment of the panoramic roof trimIn 2022 Ford recalled Focus IV cars with a panoramic roof built in September 2021 because the roof trim (moulding) could come off while driving.
  33. 33Medium severityRareFrequency: RareVolvo C30Water ingress through the tailgate of the Volvo C30According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's tailgate can let water into the boot, also via the aerial, and sometimes the tailgate struts need replacing. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
  34. 34Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A1 IFuel filler flap that sticks shutfiches-auto.fr cites 7 cases of the A1's fuel filler flap being stuck (even on delivery at 5,000 km) or needing several presses to open, and describes it as a recurring defect on these models.
  35. 35Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat 600The powered tailgate may refuse to close or open properlyYes: two pages on fiches-auto.fr document that the powered tailgate on the Fiat 600 can refuse to close or open properly, because of faults in the motor, the actuators, the position sensors or the latch mechanism.
  36. 36Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord Kuga IINoise or knocking from the tailgate caused by the striker plateA knocking sound that seems to come from the rear of the Kuga II is usually caused by the tailgate's striker plate (the catch), which over time needs a simple greasing to stop making noise.
  37. 37Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IVElectric tailgate and fuel flap faults, and water leaksOwner testimonies and a German buying guide agree on occasional faults in the electric access mechanisms of the Tucson NX4: the electric tailgate that does not always operate properly, the fuel flap stuck on the plug-in version, the windscreen washer lines and the occasional water leak through the air conditioning drain.
  38. 38Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLA X156Body rattles and interior trim noisesThe fiches-auto.fr fiche records 8 cases of rattles on the GLA, with defects in the trim, doors and tailgate, plus one case of fragile paint.
  39. 39Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMG Marvel RMG Marvel R electric tailgate faultAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the electric tailgate refuses to open, stops halfway or does not close fully, forcing you to operate it manually; one testimonial mentions a broken latch on delivery.
  40. 40Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat León IIIWater leaks in the headlights and tailgateMotorMundial documents sealing problems in the Leon III's headlights and tailgate, that is, water getting in through inadequate sealing, along with poor quality windscreen wiper blades.
  41. 41Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda RoomsterFaults with the tailgate and door locks and latchesfiches-auto.fr records 8 or more lock cases: a tailgate replaced twice in 4 years, a tailgate that locks itself electrically every 6 months, a door lock that will not close and faulty hinges under warranty.
  42. 42Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 IVThe power tailgate's gas struts can failOn cars with a power tailgate, some owners describe the gas struts no longer holding it open or the mechanism ceasing to work, forcing them to open and close the boot by hand.
  43. 43Low severityRareFrequency: RareAudi TT IIIBroken side trim on the sports seatsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two testimonies mention seat side trim pieces breaking, described as a common defect of the sports seats.
  44. 44Low severityRareFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 Gran Tourer F46Electric tailgate failure: spontaneous opening or erratic operationAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, the electric tailgate of the 2 Series Active/Gran Tourer can open by itself or work unpredictably on 2015-2016 cars.
  45. 45Low severityRareFrequency: RareCitroën C1 IIStuck tailgate lockAccording to fiches-auto.fr, two C1 owners (2014-2021), one with the 1.2 VTi engine, cite a stuck tailgate lock that stops it opening.
  46. 46Low severityRareFrequency: RareFord FusionExterior plastic trim coming offAccording to fiches-auto.fr, several Fusion owners say that the exterior plastic trim and door mouldings come unstuck, with cases at 25,000 km that recur and mean going back to the garage; the page gives no figures.
  47. 47Low severityRareFrequency: RareKia ProCeedCracked leatherette in the cabin and rattling trim noisesAccording to testimonials on fiches-auto.fr (38 in total for the Ceed and ProCeed), one owner saw the leatherette crack at 45,000 km, not covered by the warranty, and several mention rattling noises in the cabin, with 4 mentions.
  48. 48Low severityRareFrequency: RareKia VengaFailing tailgate strutsSeveral reports at fiches-auto.fr cite tailgate struts that stop holding it up, between 12,000 and 90,000 km.
  49. 49Low severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Water ingress in the rear lights and tailgate latch failureAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some 108s collect water in the rear lights, even after repairs, and in one case the tailgate latch had to be repaired three times in eight months.
  50. 50Low severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 208 IRisk of the rear spoiler detaching (January 2017 production)An April 2017 campaign (ref. r2017120) covers the risk of the rear spoiler detaching in vehicles built between 7 and 18 January 2017. It is a one-off fixing fault, unrelated to the structural safety of the car.

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork by make

How much it costs to repair a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork?

Among those we have analysed: Renault Twingo III (risk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming off), Citroën C4 Cactus (risk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015)), Tesla Model 3 (recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)), Citroën Berlingo III (engine undertray can trap material (fire risk)), Cupra Ateca (2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)), Cupra Formentor (engine cover can come loose), Cupra León (the 2.0 TSI engine cover can come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)) and Dacia Logan III (front bonnet latch washer breakage). In total, 50 cars with documented faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 5 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is 2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk) (Cupra Ateca).

What symptoms does a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: water getting into the cabin or boot, intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, electric windows or central locking not responding, rust or corrosion on the bodywork or underside and knocks or creaks from the suspension over bumps.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.Así es como una tapa del motor suelta puede provocar el incendio de tu cocheDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 22 April 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 2.Used Cupra Ateca (Mk1, 2018-date): sporty SUV is practical, stylish and funAuto Express · Motoring press · published 24 November 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026
  3. 3.Used Cupra Formentor (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer's guide: stylish and family-friendlyAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. 4.Used SEAT Tarraco (Mk1, 2018-date) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. 5.RECALL: Thousands of Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs could have their roof spoilers fall offCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 3 June 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026