Back hatch auto-closing on my head!

[rhfritz]

I've got a 2021 with the kick-to-open/close back-hatch feature. Today I had kicked to open it and was leaning over, loading stuff into the back when it started to close on its own. It did stop when it bonked me on the head. I thought it was a fluke. When I arrived at my destination and was unloading, it did the same thing. Again, I was not actively moving my feet at the time nor was I doing anything I haven't done many times over the entire course of ownership. Then when I arrived home, I had completed putting something in the back and I was about 2ft away from the rear bumper, and it started to close. Is it possible that salt or road grime has partially covered this sensor causing it to trigger? Does anyone know where I can look for it?

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[Mach-Lee]

If you’re leaning in and out of the trunk, your legs move (even if your feet don’t) and that can trigger it. Walking past the rear of the car can trigger it in rare circumstances. Pets running under the back can trigger it.

You can disable hands free opening in settings.

I personally have no issues with mine and love the feature.

 

[phil]

Today I had kicked to open it and was leaning over, loading stuff into the back when it started to close on its own. It did stop when it bonked me on the head.

I got my first head bonk last week, after owning my Mustang for over 3 years. I was washing it, and must have gotten my foot too close at the back.

And I did not really get bonked - heard the warning chimes and caught the closing liftgate with my hand first. Otherwise, it would have gotten me! I agree with Mach-Lee - I like the hands-free open/close feature a lot, and it has worked almost perfectly for me.

 

[Spacey]

If you’re leaning in and out of the trunk, your legs move (even if your feet don’t) and that can trigger it. Walking past the rear of the car can trigger it in rare circumstances. Pets running under the back can trigger it.

You can disable hands free opening in settings.

I personally have no issues with mine and love the feature.

My cat has got the knack of opening and closing the hatch paw free when I'm around the vehicle. Good game.

 

[kamorela]

If you’re leaning in and out of the trunk, your legs move (even if your feet don’t) and that can trigger it. Walking past the rear of the car can trigger it in rare circumstances. Pets running under the back can trigger it.

You can disable hands free opening in settings.

I personally have no issues with mine and love the feature.

I have a 2024 Job 1 AWD ER and don't have the hands-free option but want it. Does anyone know if it could be retrofitted, i.e. if a sensor were available, is the wiring for it still there? Would a needed software update to operate that 'new' feature then be required, and available?

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