NHTSA Complaint #10209946 — 2004 NISSAN MURANO

I PUT THE BACK TAILGATE UP IN MY 2004 NISSAN MURANO TO PUT MY GRANDDAUGHTERS' BELONGINGS IN TO TAKE THEM HOME. I WALKED TO THE BACK SEAT AREA TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE BACK SEAT, WHEN I HEARD A HUGE WHOOSHING SOUND AND SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE DOOR SLAMMED DOWN. LUCKILY I WASN'T NEAR IT OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE DOOR IS VERY HEAVY AND IT SLAMMED DOWN WITH QUITE A FORCE. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF A VAPORIZED NATURE IN THE CAR. NOW THE DOOR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND REQUIRES BOTH HANDS TO DO SO. EVIDENTLY ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC STRUTS WENT OUT. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO ANYONE NEARBY. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND AM TAKING IT IN TODAY. THEY WERE VERY NON-COMMITTAL ABOUT IT BEING SOMETHING THEY WOULD REPAIR WITHOUT COST. THEY DID SAY IT WAS A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND WANT TO REPORT IT. IF OTHERS ARE NOT AWARE, THERE COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL. *TR