NHTSA Complaint #10490860 — 2006 SCION XB

THE VEHICLES REAR HATCH HANDLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH MAKES THE PART FAIL. THE REAR HATCH HANDLE IS FASTENED TO THE TRUNK/HATCH WITH PLASTIC CLIPS. WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE HATCH IS PRESSED, IT ONLY UNLOCKS THE HATCH DOOR. IT DOES NOT SPRING UPWARD LIKE OTHER VEHICLES. IN THE MANUAL IT SHOWS TO HOLD THE RELEASE BUTTON AND LIFT WITH THE HATCH HANDLE. BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SPRINGS TO HELP LIFT IT APPLIES LOTS OF PRESSURE TO THE CLIPS WHICH WEAKEN THEM. EVENTUALLY, THEY JUST SNAP. THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN FOR SNAPPING WHEN THE HATCH IS LOCKED, IN COLD WEATHER, AND THERE ARE EVEN REPORTS OF THE RELEASE BUTTON MELTING. ANOTHER PROBLEM DEVELOPS WHEN THE HATCH HANDLE IS COMPLETELY REMOVED AFTER FAILING. THERE ARE HOLES FOR THE CLIPS WHICH ARE LEFT OPEN IF THIS PIECE IS NOT ATTACHED. THESE HOLES CAN ALLOW EXHAUST AND OTHER EMISSIONS INTO THE VEHICLE. LASTLY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT THAT LEFT THE SIDE DOORS INOPERABLE AND THE PERSON(S) IN THE VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO EXIT SAFELY THROUGH THE HATCH, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANY TYPE OF MANUAL RELEASE (WHICH IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW). HOWEVER, RESCUERS CANNOT OPEN THE HATCH FROM THE OUTSIDE EITHER. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN THIS DEFECTIVE PART BREAKS OFF, IT LEAVES THE DANGLING RELEASE BUTTON. CONSUMERS ARE CAPPING THE WIRES SO IT DOESN'T RIP OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NOW NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR