elba123

While demonstrating the vehicle during a test drive, the salesperson placed his hand on the rubber hatch seal around the edges of the power lift gate (hatch) to demonstrate that it springs back upon contact with an obstruction.

In the vehicle I purchased, that does not seem to happen. Is this a defect to be rectified within warranty period or does this behavior happen only on certain areas of the hatch?

Note: Please do not try this to proof it out and hurt yourself. After all, it was shown by a professional salesperson and perhaps he pressed the remote simultaneously or something like that.

BertL

Look closely at the hatch... There are "pressure strips" along most of the two sides, not on the top edge, but the bottom edge is more dependent upon finding an obstruction once the hatch "feels" too much pressure while its moving or just befor it clicks into place... There are other threads here on this. Some people claim they can get pinched fingers, etc and you'll find a lot of warnings in the owners manual basically saying the sensors on the hatch are there to help prevent problems, but in my words, won't prevent every situation that could occur. So my net is, how the hatch will attempt to retract itself is different depending upon where it runs into an obstruction. I agree with you, probably not worth pinching fingers or a hand, so if you think you have a problem, take it in and have your SA take a look at it. That's what your great Lexus warranty is all about. Good luck.

LexRexBlue

Don't risk your fingers!!! Supposedly the doors also have a safety. I was using my '99 RX trying to deal with the seatbelt that hadn't retracted and closing the door. The top of the door actually closed on my left hand fingers--4 of them. No they didn't break but the PAIN!

BertL

Was not aware of this on my '99 RX300, 400h, or 450h... IMHO, even on my latest-and-greatest 2013 RX450h, the "safety" for the side doors is only on the automatic windows that are designed to retract if there is an obstruction as they move upward, not on the physical doors themselves like the rear hatch has in some areas and discussed above.

kitlz

The '99 had a manual tail gate so it's not accurate to compare it to the later generations. Lexus introduced the anti-pinch feature beginning with the 2nd gen on the windows and moon roof. The tail gate would go back up if pressure was placed on it while closing. I actually used it a few times when I forgot to take something out of the cargo area. Kinda handy. In the 3rd gen, the sensitivity has significantly decreased. I wouldn't even think of putting my hands anywhere near the tailgate when it's closing. Instead I hit the button on the tail gate.

elba123

Finally found the answer. It works for sure in the 2013 RX model in the area I have circled in blue.