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Climate control, bodywork and interior

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 83 faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork in 81 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: risk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming off (Renault Twingo III), risk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015) (Citroën C4 Cactus) and recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert) (Tesla Model 3).

Documented faults
83
26 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
81
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
81
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

6 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Tailgate, bonnet and bodywork parts

Under this label we group faults in moving or external bodywork parts: tailgate gas struts, bonnet catches, door handles, trim, spoilers or engine undertrays. Several have been corrected with recalls because a part could come loose while driving.

What to do

If the tailgate will not stay open, replace the gas struts: they can drop suddenly. Check that the bonnet is properly closed after any service and look up your car's campaigns with the VIN.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonRenault Twingo IIIRisk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming offYes: Renault recalled the Twingo III in 2016 and again in 2019-2021 over the risk of the bonnet coming loose while driving, and separately, up to the end of 2016, over the roof spoiler coming off and the rear window mountings; across the three campaigns several hundred thousand units were affected.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 CactusRisk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015)Citroën recalled the first C4 Cactus cars, built between March 2014 and September 2015, because the bonnet can open while driving owing to a mounting that could be improved, which blocks the driver's view.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model 3Recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)In April 2022, an alert in the European product safety system (Safety Gate), submitted by France and also confirmed by the Netherlands, warned that the bonnet latch bolt on the Tesla Model 3 and Model S could fracture through vibration at high speed, letting the bonnet open while driving and block the driver's view.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X6 G06Upper rear spoiler badly made or badly fixed, with a risk of coming offBMW has recalled the X6 twice over the upper spoiler on the tailgate: on cars from November 2019 to January 2020 the spoiler may have been badly made, and on others from June and July 2020 it may have been badly fixed. In both cases it can come off while driving and put the cars behind at risk.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IIIEngine undertray can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 recall (ref. R2022299) covers Berlingo IIIs built between November 2017 and September 2021 whose lower metal engine undertray can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 IRecall: the bonnet catch could openAccording to CarWiki, the German KBA lists a recall of the C4 because the bonnet catch could open unexpectedly; the source gives no dates or batch.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 XInterior door handles disabled by a software fault in the VSM moduleThe British DVSA lists a 2026 campaign covering 131 C5 X cars built between November 2023 and November 2024: a software fault can disable the interior door handles when the key is in engine-running mode, and occupants might be unable to get out. These figures are for the UK.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra Ateca2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)Yes: in 2022, 30,466 cars with the 2.0 TSI engine from the Cupra Ateca, Cupra Leon, Cupra Formentor and Seat Leon ranges, built between 24 July 2020 and 2 March 2022, were recalled because the engine cover can come loose and touch the hot area of the exhaust and turbo. The check is free of charge and takes about 30 minutes.Repair: €0
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra FormentorEngine cover can come looseIn March 2022 Cupra recalled a series of Formentors because the plastic engine cover was not properly secured and could come loose while driving. Auto Express documents the recall without giving a unit figure.Repair: €0
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra LeónThe 2.0 TSI engine cover can come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)Yes: in 2022, 30,466 cars with the 2.0 TSI engine in the Leon, Cupra Leon, Cupra Ateca and Cupra Formentor ranges, built between 24 July 2020 and 2 March 2022, were recalled because the engine cover can come loose and touch the hot area of the exhaust and turbo. The check is free and takes about 30 minutes.Repair: €0
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Logan IIIFront bonnet latch washer breakageA defective washer or core in the bonnet latch can break and let the bonnet open while driving. It affects Logans built in Pitesti between 5 November and 23 December 2020; replacement is free at the official network and takes about 4 hours.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord C-Max IThe tailgate can open by itself because of a defective microswitchA defective microswitch in the C-Max's tailgate handle can make it open by itself, even while driving, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Mustang Mach-EFront bonnet retaining bar that may loosen (39 cars built in October 2020)Yes, but a very limited one: Ford recalled 39 Mustang Mach-E built between 6 and 19 October 2020 because the retaining bar in the front compartment could loosen and the bonnet could open while driving, with a risk of an accident. The alert was notified on Safety Gate (EU) in March 2023.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Citan W415Unintended tailgate opening from moisture in the reversing camera wiring harnessYes: on Citans with a reversing camera built between 25 February 2015 and 16 November 2020, moisture could get into the camera wiring harness and make the tailgate open by itself, even while driving. There is a recall; it does not affect every car.
  15. 15High severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Combo EThe engine undershield can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 campaign (ref. KAE/200511EE) covers Combo E vehicles built between 12 March 2018 and 17 September 2021 whose metal engine undershield can trap material next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  16. 16High severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot RifterEngine undertray can trap material (fire risk)A 2022 recall (ref. r2022298) covers Rifters built between October 2017 and September 2021 whose lower metal engine undertray can trap plant matter or other debris next to the exhaust, with a risk of fire.
  17. 17High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Espace VBody recalls: bonnet, sunroof and rear spoilerThe Espace V had three recalls for body parts that could come loose while driving: the bonnet outer skin (2016), the sunroof (2016) and the top of the rear spoiler (2020). All are preventive recalls.
  18. 18High severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat TarracoThe protective engine cover can come offYes: Seat recalled 2,309 Tarraco cars built between October 2020 and February 2022 because the protective engine cover could come off while driving. The brand replaced the defective cover free of charge.Repair: €0
  19. 19High severityFrequency: OccasionalSmart FortwoFront service cover (maintenance flap) that can come off at high speedYes: in 2016 Safety Gate and the DVSA recorded a recall for the Fortwo's front plastic cover (between the windscreen and the headlights), whose catches might not meet the specification and let it come off at high speed in strong wind. It affects cars built from April 2014 to October 2015.
  20. 20High severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota ProAce CityThe engine undershield can trap material and cause a fireAccording to the German KBA, an unsuitable metal engine undershield can collect combustible debris (leaves, grass) that ignites next to the exhaust on Proace City models from 2019 to 2021; the Peugeot Rifter and Opel Combo campaigns describe the same type of undershield defect.
  21. 21High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.7Exterior door handles: a door may open unexpectedly (software update)According to the British DVSA database, in November 2025 campaign 57K6 was recorded for 476 ID.7 cars (built from December 2023 to November 2024) because a door could open unexpectedly. The remedy is to update the software of the handle control units so that they warn of a fault with a message.
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Tiguan IIRoof spoiler coming off on the R-Line versionYes, in a specific batch: Volkswagen recalled 2,627 Tiguan R-Line cars built between 1 November 2016 and 31 December 2019 because the rear roof spoiler could come away partially or completely due to a deviation in the bonding process during manufacture.Repair: €0
  23. 23High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIIElectric tailgate spindle drive with a spring that can come looseVolkswagen recalled 2,087 Touareg IIIs built in January 2019 with an electric tailgate (options 4E7 or 5I6): the spindle drive could release a pre-tensioned spring from its housing and injure anyone nearby. The DVSA describes it as the spindle separating and suddenly expanding if the tailgate is pushed too far up by hand.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 107Water leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Peugeot 107 IOwners describe water getting in through the boot, rear light and door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  25. 25Critical severityFrequency: RareOpel Astra LDefective door handles with a risk of opening while driving (2022 campaign)Opel issued a recall in August 2022 for Astra L cars built at the start of that year because a defective exterior door handle might not close properly, with a risk of the door opening while driving.
  26. 26Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4LElectric tailgate that closes by itself due to faulty gas strutsAudi issued a recall for some Q7 4Ls because a defect in the tailgate gas struts, together with their control, could slam it shut. Fiches-auto also notes that the electric tailgate may fail to rise fully.
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW iX I20Tailgate may not stay open due to insufficient holding forceIn December 2021 BMW recalled iX cars built between February and October 2021 in the UK because the tailgate's holding force could be insufficient to keep it open. The software of the tailgate control unit is updated and, if necessary, the MPAD control unit is replaced.
  28. 28Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Z4 E85/E86Electric hood motor and mechanism failureAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the electric hood on the Z4 E85 is the most frequently cited fault outside the engine: 13 of 78 reports mention a failed motor, jamming or water drainage problems, between 100,000 and 220,000 km.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Citroën C1 IOwners describe water getting in through the seals of the tailgate, the rear window, the doors and the third brake light, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLexus CTTailgate gas struts with micro-cracks in the rod: they may fail to hold the tailgate openYes: CT 200h vehicles built between late January and early March 2019 were recalled because the tailgate gas struts could develop micro-cracks in the rod coating and lose gas, so the tailgate might not stay open and cause injury.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIRecall for corrosion of the tailgate damper bracketYes: the brackets that hold the Mazda3 BL's tailgate gas struts can rust from road salt and break, so the tailgate may not stay open or may slam shut.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIRecall over corrosion in the boot or tailgate gas strutsYes: on Mazda6 GH cars built between October 2007 and August 2008, the end caps of the boot or tailgate gas struts can corrode, with a risk of it slamming shut.
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 ITailgate gas strut failure due to corrosionYes: Mazda recalled first-generation CX-5s built between November 2011 and December 2015 because the gas strut that holds up the tailgate can corrode inside and lose pressure or break, letting the tailgate fall if it is not held.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IIIBlocked soft-top drains and rust on the sills and rear wingsOn the MX-5 NC, the soft-top drain tubes can clog and overflow into the body structure; British owners cite rust at the bottom of the rear wheel arches, on the sills and under the boot lid.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IVUnderbody protective panel coming away on the first vehicles built in 2015A 2019 recall affects MX-5 ND models built between 26 May and 6 July 2015: the fixing of the underbody protective panel was insufficient and it could come loose, fall onto the road and damage tyres or put traffic behind at risk.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel CascadaFabric hood chafing at the folding points and mechanism cables that breakAUTO BILD notes slight roughness on the hood fabric at the folding mechanism, and a specialist guide adds that chafing appears where the roof folds, cables can break, and some hoods were replaced under warranty. There is no official campaign and no frequency figures.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Insignia ATailgate gas strut losing pressureA 2015 recall covers Insignia Sports Tourer vehicles with an electric tailgate: a slow gas leak in the left-hand strut can stop the tailgate from staying open, so it drops suddenly.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IIIExterior door handles that do not always close properlySeveral testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr describe exterior door handles that do not always close properly and a notice to dealers in October 2022 for Peugeot 308 units assembled between February 2021 and January 2022; erratic operation of the keyless entry key (hands-free) is also reported.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki IgnisRecall over insufficient bonnet latch fixingsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, in February 2022 there was a recall over inadequate fixings of the bonnet latch and of the brackets of a removable panel. The page does not specify the number of cars or the build dates.
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Aygo IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Toyota Aygo IOwners describe water getting in through the third brake light seal and the floor and rear door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault with no official campaign, according to owner reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr.
  41. 41High severityFrequency: RareCitroën C4 IIRisk of the bonnet opening unexpectedly (2009-2016 production)A 2016 recall (ref. r2016241) covers vehicles built between 19 November 2009 and 27 May 2016 in which the bonnet could open unexpectedly while driving.
  42. 42High severityFrequency: RareDacia Logan IIDefective bonnet latch that can open while driving (built November-December 2020)Safety Gate (21/2021, Dacia code 0DLP) records a May 2021 campaign for a bonnet latch striker cable that may be defective, so the bonnet could open while driving. It affects Logan and Sandero built at Pitești between 5 November and 23 December 2020 (24,950 units worldwide).
  43. 43Low severityFrequency: CommonRenault Clio IIIThe fuel flap does not openA common failure of the small motor that releases the fuel flap leaves the cover closed and forces you to repair or replace it; Caradisiac flags it as a common problem ("dysfonctionnement courant") on the Clio III.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi TT IIFailure of the electric roof servomotors on the TT RoadsterAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (187 for this model), several Roadster owners report faults in the roof mechanism; one report cites the replacement of two servomotors for 1,309 euros.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW i8 I12Failure of the i8's gas struts on the butterfly doorsAutocar warns that the struts (gas springs) on the i8's butterfly doors have been known to fail, and that repairing them is costly, so it advises checking them carefully when buying. It is a press mention without frequency or cost figures.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 6 F12/F13Convertible soft-top faults (F12)On the 6 Series convertible (F12) the roof may stop opening or closing, or show that it is open; Breakerlink attributes this to position sensors or electrical faults.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 F15Panoramic roof water leaks and power tailgate failure on the X5 F15According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (56 for the 2013-2018 X5), water can get in through the panoramic roof because of blocked drains and damage the wiring, and faults with the power tailgate and the soft-close latch are cited (50d, 90,000 km).
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: RareFord Focus IVPossible detachment of the panoramic roof trimIn 2022 Ford recalled Focus IV cars with a panoramic roof built in September 2021 because the roof trim (moulding) could come off while driving.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz CLK C208Cracks and brittle seals in the fabric roof of the convertible (A208)On the CLK convertible (A208), Auto Bild (2007) points to cracks and brittle seals in the roof as it ages, and AutoScout24 (2009) says the fabric roof rarely fails but that early units can crack at the folds.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: RareVolvo C30Water ingress through the tailgate of the Volvo C30According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's tailgate can let water into the boot, also via the aerial, and sometimes the tailgate struts need replacing. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
  51. 51Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A1 IFuel filler flap that sticks shutfiches-auto.fr cites 7 cases of the A1's fuel filler flap being stuck (even on delivery at 5,000 km) or needing several presses to open, and describes it as a recurring defect on these models.
  52. 52Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 600The powered tailgate may refuse to close or open properlyYes: two pages on fiches-auto.fr document that the powered tailgate on the Fiat 600 can refuse to close or open properly, because of faults in the motor, the actuators, the position sensors or the latch mechanism.
  53. 53Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Kuga IINoise or knocking from the tailgate caused by the striker plateA knocking sound that seems to come from the rear of the Kuga II is usually caused by the tailgate's striker plate (the catch), which over time needs a simple greasing to stop making noise.
  54. 54Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IVElectric tailgate and fuel flap faults, and water leaksOwner testimonies and a German buying guide agree on occasional faults in the electric access mechanisms of the Tucson NX4: the electric tailgate that does not always operate properly, the fuel flap stuck on the plug-in version, the windscreen washer lines and the occasional water leak through the air conditioning drain.
  55. 55Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLancia VoyagerFaults with the sliding doors, third-row seats and electric tailgateIn its used-car test of the Lancia Voyager, Auto Bild reports that with full standard equipment the electric sliding doors, the third-row seats with electric folding and the rear tailgate fail from time to time. It adds that the VW T5 and Mercedes Viano do no better.
  56. 56Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLA X156Body rattles and interior trim noisesThe fiches-auto.fr fiche records 8 cases of rattles on the GLA, with defects in the trim, doors and tailgate, plus one case of fragile paint.
  57. 57Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG Marvel RMG Marvel R electric tailgate faultAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the electric tailgate refuses to open, stops halfway or does not close fully, forcing you to operate it manually; one testimonial mentions a broken latch on delivery.
  58. 58Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG TFPlastic rear window and deteriorating hoodOn the MG TF the original plastic rear window becomes brittle and cracks, especially if the zips fail, and the hood lining is of poor quality.
  59. 59Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG TFLeaks through doors and hoodParkers points to poor door and hood seals on the MG TF, with a risk of water in the carpet and electrical faults.
  60. 60Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG ZS 2001Tailgate struts failing under the weight of the spoilerAuto Express says the boot struts fail mainly on the ZS because of the weight of the spoiler.
  61. 61Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Eclipse Cross IWheel arch trim coming looseMitsubishi recalled Eclipse Cross models from 2017-2020 because the clip on the front right wheel arch trim may come loose at high speed.Repair: €0
  62. 62Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai ITailgate gas struts and underbody rustGebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that the gas struts on the first-generation Qashqai's rear tailgate do not last long and that rust can appear on the underbody.
  63. 63Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 3008 IIBonnet vibration at motorway speedFiches-auto.fr cites bonnet vibration as a recurring defect of the 3008 II: it is noticeable at motorway speed, especially in crosswinds or when passing lorries, and several owners say the dealership found no solution.
  64. 64Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne ITailgate gas struts losing their strengthThe gas struts on the Cayenne I tailgate lose strength over time and the tailgate stops staying open. Gebrauchtwagenberater attributes it to the heavy weight of the tailgate, and CarWiki warns of the risk of dents and knocks if it falls; fiches-auto records cases across different engines.
  65. 65Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat MiiWater leaks through the tailgate and blocked drains on the Seat MiiGerman guides advise checking the boot for damp: they cite water getting in through the tailgate and drains that should be cleared. It is a recurring sealing fault, with no manufacturer recall.
  66. 66Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda CitigoWater leaks through the tailgate and blocked drains on the Skoda CitigoGerman guides advise checking the boot for damp: they cite water getting in through the tailgate and drains that should be cleared. It is a recurring sealing fault, with no manufacturer recall.
  67. 67Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda RoomsterFaults with the tailgate and door locks and latchesfiches-auto.fr records 8 or more lock cases: a tailgate replaced twice in 4 years, a tailgate that locks itself electrically every 6 months, a door lock that will not close and faulty hinges under warranty.
  68. 68Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota RAV4 IVThe power tailgate's gas struts can failOn cars with a power tailgate, some owners describe the gas struts no longer holding it open or the mechanism ceasing to work, forcing them to open and close the boot by hand.
  69. 69Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIWater ingress into the boot of the Audi A5 Sportback when opening the tailgateOn the A5 Sportback water can enter the boot when the tailgate is opened, because according to Carwiki.de the sealing lip does not keep it out.
  70. 70Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIAluminium door trims coming looseAudi recalled A5s built between October 2015 and October 2017 because the decorative aluminium trims on the lower part of the doors could partly come loose and leave sharp edges.
  71. 71Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A7 C8Faults with the electric tailgate and the sunroof motorA German guide based on reader experiences lists as problems of the A7 C8 the electric tailgate, the sunroof motors and a 12 V battery too weak for the auxiliary heating, with no figures or campaigns.
  72. 72Low severityFrequency: RareAudi TT IIIBroken side trim on the sports seatsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two testimonies mention seat side trim pieces breaking, described as a common defect of the sports seats.
  73. 73Low severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 Gran Tourer F46Electric tailgate failure: spontaneous opening or erratic operationAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, the electric tailgate of the 2 Series Active/Gran Tourer can open by itself or work unpredictably on 2015-2016 cars.
  74. 74Low severityFrequency: RareCitroën C1 IIStuck tailgate lockAccording to fiches-auto.fr, two C1 owners (2014-2021), one with the 1.2 VTi engine, cite a stuck tailgate lock that stops it opening.
  75. 75Low severityFrequency: RareFord FusionExterior plastic trim coming offAccording to fiches-auto.fr, several Fusion owners say that the exterior plastic trim and door mouldings come unstuck, with cases at 25,000 km that recur and mean going back to the garage; the page gives no figures.
  76. 76Low severityFrequency: RareHonda CR-ZTailgate rattle from the upper edge rubbing against the bodyworkSome Honda CR-Z owners hear a rattle from the tailgate because its upper edge knocks against the bodywork. It is reduced by sticking a seal or draught strip along that edge.
  77. 77Low severityFrequency: RareKia ProCeedCracked leatherette in the cabin and rattling trim noisesAccording to testimonials on fiches-auto.fr (38 in total for the Ceed and ProCeed), one owner saw the leatherette crack at 45,000 km, not covered by the warranty, and several mention rattling noises in the cabin, with 4 mentions.
  78. 78Low severityFrequency: RareKia VengaFailing tailgate strutsSeveral reports at fiches-auto.fr cite tailgate struts that stop holding it up, between 12,000 and 90,000 km.
  79. 79Low severityFrequency: RareLand Rover Range Rover VelarPop-out door handles that freeze and can leave you locked out of the carAuto Express warns that the Velar's electric door handles, which extend when the car is unlocked, can freeze in sub-zero temperatures and leave you unable to open the doors. This is a warning from a British magazine, not a campaign, and we have found no data quantifying it.
  80. 80Low severityFrequency: RareMazda 3 IMazda 3 (BK) tailgate struts that break from corrosionGebrauchtwagenberater.de records, citing the KBA, a recall because corrosion can break the tailgate struts on Mazda 3 BKs built from 2007 onwards.
  81. 81Low severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Water ingress in the rear lights and tailgate latch failureAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some 108s collect water in the rear lights, even after repairs, and in one case the tailgate latch had to be repaired three times in eight months.
  82. 82Low severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 208 IRisk of the rear spoiler detaching (January 2017 production)An April 2017 campaign (ref. r2017120) covers the risk of the rear spoiler detaching in vehicles built between 7 and 18 January 2017. It is a one-off fixing fault, unrelated to the structural safety of the car.
  83. 83Low severityFrequency: RareRenault Twingo ILeaks from the folding roof on the Twingo IOn versions with a fabric folding roof (optional from 1993), water can enter through the seal between the frame and the fabric as it wears, and the fabric can crack from UV rays.

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork by make

Problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork in your car

2 cars have several documented faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Audi 1
MG 1

How much it costs to repair a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork?

Among those we have analysed: Renault Twingo III (risk of the bonnet, roof spoiler or rear window coming off), Citroën C4 Cactus (risk of the bonnet opening while driving due to a mounting that could be improved (built 2014-2015)), Tesla Model 3 (recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)), BMW X6 G06 (upper rear spoiler badly made or badly fixed, with a risk of coming off), Citroën Berlingo III (engine undertray can trap material (fire risk)), Citroën C4 I (recall: the bonnet catch could open), Citroën C5 X (interior door handles disabled by a software fault in the VSM module) and Cupra Ateca (2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk)). In total, 81 cars with documented faults with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 6 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is 2.0 TSI engine cover may come loose and touch the hot turbo area (fire risk) (Cupra Ateca).

What symptoms does a fault with the tailgate, bonnet and bodywork cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: water getting into the cabin or boot, intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, electric windows or central locking not responding, rust or corrosion on the bodywork or underside, knocks or creaks from the suspension over bumps and abnormal vibrations or unstable idle.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Así es como una tapa del motor suelta puede provocar el incendio de tu cocheDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 22 April 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Used Cupra Ateca (Mk1, 2018-date): sporty SUV is practical, stylish and funAuto Express · Motoring press · published 24 November 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026
  3. Used Cupra Formentor (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer's guide: stylish and family-friendlyAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Used SEAT Tarraco (Mk1, 2018-date) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. RECALL: Thousands of Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs could have their roof spoilers fall offCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 3 June 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  6. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish