Friday I went to open my hatch and when I lifed up, the whole handle and license plate assembly came off in my hand. It looks like it's only held on in two points where a plastic sleeve goes over a crosshatched bolt. Seems pretty weak given that this is a frequent use item that has a force applied to it.

I took it to the dealer and since there was no exterior damage (didn't get rear-ened or hit anything) it's being replaced under the 3 yr / 36k mi factory warranty. I'm just wondering how many other people this has happened to? From now on I'll only be using the handle as a switch and will lift from the bottom of the hatch.

Happened to many : http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=202706
Here is one of the ways to keep your new factory handle from braking again: http://www.clubxb.com/forums/f29/rear-handle-saver-25627.html

I NEVER EVER lift the rear hatch from that wimpy handle! I ALWAYS lift from the device that you push to open the hatch.

Like you called it in the title it is a garnish not a handle. You press the button and then the struts open the door enough to grab the inset plastic handle on the bottom of the hatch. The chrome Scionpro match garnish has been rengineered to reinforce the mount.

Happy to see someone get this replaced under warranty I do not think anyone else ever tried that.

that's a strong grip bro

I have always use the actual button to lift. I never put pressure on the garnish. It is a very common problem here. We got lots of supermen on here.

Yea, I use the button. Haven't had a problem with it.

i use the button.. i deliver pizza 6 days a week.. i put the bag in the back.. i would say i open my hatch at least 100 to 200 times a week.. literally and sometimes even more than that, and i havent had the slightest problem.

Common problem with tCs too.

funny story about my friends tc..

we were driving in a 45.. he decides to race this guy.. so he just floors it, we get up to 95 mph in a 45.. (yea i know that is dumb.. i wasnt driving.. i couldnt stop him) well, needless to say we get pulled over..

so the cop immediately handcuffs my friend and puts him in the cop car, calls a tow truck and tells me i need to find a ride home..

well the cops decided to search his car..
they search everything, and the one cop is saying how he has a tc and its nothing like this one..(my friend has the rs2, catback exhaust, dc headers, lightweight pulley, intake, custom seats and racing harnesses, ect ect.. well they walk around to the trunk and go to open the hatch... RIIIPPPP the piece comes off in the cops hand and he just stands there with a whoooops look on his face, at that point i was in tears from laughter and he was like sir you need to calm down.

anyways i got a ride home and he got out of jail the next day and got his car back. haha


dont street race.. and dont let cops go pulling on your trunk all hard.

ahaha.

But same thing happened to my friends, now its held in place with tape.

I broke mine about a week after I bought my xB, because it was something like -5 outside, so it was pretty much doomed.

I read a DIY on here where you can stiffen up the handles with empty soda caps filled with contact cement or something.

Dude that hatch handle is dope!

. RIIIPPPP the piece comes off in the cops hand and he just stands there with a whoooops look on his face, at that point i was in tears from laughter and he was like sir you need to calm down.
.


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Like you called it in the title it is a garnish not a handle. You press the button and then the struts open the door enough to grab the inset plastic handle on the bottom of the hatch. The chrome Scionpro match garnish has been rengineered to reinforce the mount.

Happy to see someone get this replaced under warranty I do not think anyone else ever tried that.

Thanks, maybe my hatch struts are bad or something because when I press the button under the garnish, the hatch does not open enough to reach the insert handle. I'm pretty much forced to use the garnish unless I can squeeze my hand in the gap between the hatch and the bumper to lift at the bottom corner. I'm thinking something was modded to the hatch when the wheelchair ramp was added.

Here is one of the ways to keep your new factory handle from braking again: http://www.clubxb.com/forums/f29/rear-handle-saver-25627.html
now if only the tC had this too.. i've busted mine twice already =\

Edit: Fixed link (burstaneurysm)

this happened to my tc. it really is weak

Kev, you've got [/quote] in as part of the web link. Delete that part and it will work.

Like you called it in the title it is a garnish not a handle. You press the button and then the struts open the door enough to grab the inset plastic handle on the bottom of the hatch. The chrome Scionpro match garnish has been rengineered to reinforce the mount.

Happy to see someone get this replaced under warranty I do not think anyone else ever tried that.

Thanks, maybe my hatch struts are bad or something because when I press the button under the garnish, the hatch does not open enough to reach the insert handle. I'm pretty much forced to use the garnish unless I can squeeze my hand in the gap between the hatch and the bumper to lift at the bottom corner. I'm thinking something was modded to the hatch when the wheelchair ramp was added.

Make a run to the junkyard and get the power liftgate from a chrysler minivan or the newer full size SUV's it would go with your Transformers theme.