2013-2021 Range Rover Upper Tailgate Strut: Solving Beeps, Grinding, and Failure

Symptoms of a Failing Power Tailgate Strut

When the power tailgate strut on your Range Rover begins to fail, it will typically display several distinct symptoms. Recognizing these can help you distinguish a strut problem from other related issues.

• Tailgate Opens Partially and Stops: This is the most common symptom. The upper tailgate will unlatch and start to lift, but will stop after moving only a few inches. This is often accompanied by three audible beeps, which signal a fault in the power liftgate system.
• Grinding or Whining Noises: A failing electric motor inside the strut may produce grinding, whining, or straining sounds during operation as the internal gears wear out or struggle to move the tailgate.
• Slow or Sluggish Operation: The tailgate may open or close much slower than it used to, indicating the motor is losing power or the strut's internal components are failing.
• Tailgate Won't Stay Open: While the non-powered gas strut on the opposite side does most of the work holding the tailgate up, a failing powered strut can sometimes prevent the tailgate from staying fully open, or cause it to slowly drift down. This can also be caused by a weak gas strut, so both should be inspected.
• 'Tailgate Open' Warning on Dashboard: If the strut fails to fully close and latch the upper tailgate, the vehicle's sensors may not recognize it as secure, resulting in a persistent 'Tailgate Open' warning light on the instrument cluster.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis: Is It Really the Strut?

Many power tailgate issues on the L405 Range Rover mimic a failed strut but are caused by simpler problems. Before spending money on a new part, run through this diagnostic checklist.

1. Check the Vehicle Battery: The power liftgate system draws a significant amount of current. A weak or aging vehicle battery is a known cause of intermittent or complete failure of the tailgate system. If you're experiencing other electrical gremlins, start by testing and charging your battery.
2. Inspect the Wiring Harness: Broken wires inside the flexible rubber conduit that runs between the vehicle body and the tailgate are a very common failure point. Over time, the repeated opening and closing of the tailgate can cause wires to fatigue and break. This can cut power to the strut, latch, or sensors, perfectly mimicking a failed strut. Carefully peel back the conduit and inspect each wire for signs of cracking, fraying, or a complete break.
3. Perform a System Reset & Calibration: Sometimes the system can lose its position memory, causing erratic operation. You can perform a simple reset and calibration without any tools.
   • Manually move the tailgate to the fully open position.
   • Press and hold the tailgate close button (on the tailgate itself) for 3-5 seconds until you hear a single confirmation beep or chime.
   • This resets the upper limit. You can also use this method to set a lower custom height 🎬 Watch this video to see how to set your tailgate height. by manually moving the gate to your desired height and then pressing and holding the button.
4. Check Related Components: A faulty latch or a failed anti-trap pinch sensor can also prevent the system from operating correctly and may be misdiagnosed as a strut motor problem. If the tailgate won't unlatch at all, the latch mechanism itself may be the culprit.
🎬 See how to fix a tailgate that is stuck closed.

Known Issues, TSBs, and Recalls

While there are no direct safety recalls for the power tailgate strut itself on the 2013-2021 Range Rover, Land Rover has issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for related tailgate issues.

• TSB Q474 (NHTSA ID: 10199260): This bulletin addresses an issue on some 2015-2016 Range Rover models where the upper and lower tailgates would start to close and then 'back off' without fully closing. The fix involved a software reconfiguration of the 'Lower - Rear gate/trunk module' performed by a dealer with the SDD diagnostic tool. This indicates that some tailgate faults are software-related.
• TSB SSM74642 (NHTSA ID: 10185311): This bulletin notes that tailgate anti-trap sensors were being replaced for power tailgates that would not operate correctly due to a false signal from a faulty sensor.

Buying a Used Trunk Lid Pull Down Motor

Given the high cost of a new OEM strut, a used, recycled OEM part is an excellent value. However, there are a few things to check to ensure you get a good part.

• Physical Inspection: Before purchasing, visually inspect the strut. Look for any signs of leaking oil, a bent piston rod, or cracks in the plastic motor housing. Any physical damage is a major red flag.
• Verify Compatibility: This powered strut fits either the left or right side. However, it ONLY fits vehicles originally equipped with a power liftgate. It is not compatible with models that had manual struts from the factory.
• Check the Part Number: Cross-reference the part number with the list of known OEM numbers (see below). While all the numbers in the supersession chain are compatible, matching the number ensures you have the correct part for your vehicle's generation.
• Why Used OEM is a Smart Choice: For a part with integrated electronics like this, a used Original Equipment (OEM) strut is often a more reliable choice than a new, non-OEM aftermarket part. OEM parts are designed to communicate perfectly with your vehicle's control modules, avoiding potential compatibility or software issues that can arise with some aftermarket electronics.

Cost Comparison

Programming and Calibration Requirements

Replacing the power tailgate strut does not require dealer programming or flashing to your vehicle's VIN. It is a direct swap.

However, after installation, you should perform the simple calibration procedure described in the diagnosis section to ensure the system knows the strut's fully open and closed positions. This involves manually positioning the gate and holding the close button until the system chimes, confirming the position has been stored. Failure to do this may result in the gate not opening to the correct height or not operating smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)