NHTSA Complaint #10604492 — 2009 GMC ACADIA

WHILE EMPTYING OUT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE LIFT GATE PROCEEDED TO DESCEND WHILE I WAS TAKING OUT OUR SUITCASES. I WAS UNAWARE THIS WAS HAPPENING AND MY HAND WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HATCH. THE LIFT GATE DID NOT STOP WHEN IT HIT MY HAND AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED AWAY FROM IT CATCHING MY FINGER ON THE SHARP SIDE OF THE MECHANISM. IT RIPPED OPEN MY MIDDLE FINGER, CUTTING IT TO THE TENDON, REQUIRING A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. I HAD TO GET ELEVEN STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND AND A TETANUS SHOT. AFTER WE ARRIVED HOME AND INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, WE DISCOVERED THE STRUTS ON THE LIFT GATE MUST HAVE BEEN WEAK TO LET THE HATCH DESCEND. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO FAIL SAFE WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO STOP THE DESCENT! MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ALSO GOT CAUGHT AND IT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF MUSCLE TO PUSH IT UP. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A CHILD GOT CAUGHT IN IT? I HATE TO THINK OF THE OUTCOME. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT THIS DEFAULT WOULD BE A PRIORITY ISSUE TO CONSIDER. THE FAIL SAFE SHOULD WORK NO MATTER WHAT. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. APPRECIATE ANY COMMENTS YOU MAY HAVE ON THE ABOVE INCIDENT. *TR