NHTSA Complaint #11433850 — 2021 VOLVO XC60

I leased the vehicle in December, 2020. Periodically while the tailgate is open and I am underneath it, the tailgate has closed on me and hit me in the back. In February, 2021, the struts on the tailgate were replaced at Patrick Volvo, Fort Myers, Florida, after I received a recall letter from Volvo. On September 9, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. (CST) I was under the opened tailgate and it closed three times in a row and hit me in the back. Each time that it hit me, it reversed direction and went back into the open position. I was not injured but my back was sore for the rest of the day. I brought the SUV into Patrick Volvo, Shaumburg, Illinois. The service representative (SR) explained to me that there is a sensor under the rear bumper that will open and close the tailgate if you waive your foot under one specific location. Which is approximately two feet from the left edge of the bumper. The SR explained to me that I must have accidentally waived my foot under the bumper and the sensor caused the tailgate to close. He further advised that it could not be deactivated. On September 18, 2021, at approximately 10:00 a.m. I was sitting in the cargo area putting on my golf shoes. The tailgate started to close. I ran as fast I could and avoided getting hurt or injured. My feet were not capable of engaging the sensor as they were in front of the bumper. I have advised Volvo Customer Service and Patrick Volvo of this new safety concern. Patrick Volvo has stated to me that they have never had this problem on any of their SUVS. They also do not know what is causing it. They are waiting for a loaner SUV to come back to their dealership and then I will bring the vehicle in, so they can attempt to solve this safety issue. In the meantime, I have to be very cautious when the tailgate is open. My fear is not only that it will hit me, but more so that it will not reverse direction and close on me.