Scion tC broken rear hatch handle panel repair tutorial

[mariesal1]

thank you..latch costs $118 + shipping if i will order the whole thing 

[Drum3Matrix]

Oh my gosh THANK YOU!

[MrNino826]

Thanks so much for the video...I have a 2010 and still fine...!!! For now...hahahaha

[olegutube]

I just broke mine 2 days ago. I guess I will be making a trip to home depot. Thanks for info.

[DjJampos]

@olegutube You would break yours. You should be more careful next time.

[jostylist23]

Go to Facebook Page-

Scion-tC-and-XB-Defective-Trun­k-Hatch-Handle

[tcmike90]

thanks for the video very helpful.

[Oni862]

First of all, thank you to Jeff for posting the video. I have an '07 tC and my hatch broke around April from my x-gf pulling on it too hard while it was locked. I used some kind of epoxy that I bought from Lowe's for about $6, and it lasted pretty long. Then a few days ago it broke again when my friend tried to open it as one would normally open it. This time I'll be cleaning off the resin from the epoxy and using this tape. I had been using two hands to open the trunk very carefully, however.

[JeffMcNeal]

@Oni862 You're welcome. Rather than use the tape, which proved not to be as strong as I had hoped, here is what I suggest now... The last time I repaired it several months ago, I used plastic wire ties to secure the panel to the lift gate. You have to remove the interior cover to get to the area where the zip ties go. Before cinching them tight, I cleaned both mating surfaces of the panels and applied a bead of clear silicone. Then cinched the zip ties tightly. It's been good since

[jostylist23]

@Oni862

I started a facebook pages addressing Scion-tC-and-XB-Defective-Trun­k-Hatch-Handle

[Alshain01]

The sad thing is, this series is supposed to get young buyers into the Toyota line, not chase them away. This car has been nothing but problems and it's not even paid for. I can buy a Kia for a lot less and have it fall apart in 5 years. I will never buy a Toyota again in my lifetime.

[levashun]

This just happened to me (for the second time) yesterday. I have a 2005 Scion, and really, I feel like this is the only flaw the car has. I'm glad to know they've fixed it. Thanks for the video. We will be trying it out for sure because I don't have 200 to get this fixed at the dealer.

[kenlisabarclay1]

Thank you so much! This just happened to my daughters 2007 Scion TC.

[jostylist23]

@kenlisabarclay1

I started a Facebook page addressing this issue. Please LIKE the page. There is info on what action you may take.

Scion-tC-and-XB-Defective-Trun­k-Hatch-Handle

[ArmedVegan]

Good to know. I might try this because I think a local dealer mentioned charging a few hundred bucks to replace. I ziptied it on loosely for now on the old plastic anchors, but might need to try this. I hate having to use two hands top open the hatch but minor complaint really. Did you have any problems with the hatch pistons loosing pressure and not holding the hatch open in the cold?

[JeffMcNeal]

@ArmedVegan Yes, I had to replace the hatch struts about a year ago, but should have replaced them two years ago. Found some on eBay that were much less expensive than the dealer, they were easy to install and seem to be working great.

[ArmedVegan]

@JeffMcNeal Cool, thanks! I'll have to look into the struts. They are manageable for now but are still a disappointment for the TC design. Such a great little car with minor annoyances.

[ihaveadegree]

thank you sooooo much

[golollc]

Thank you so much for this video. I can finally remove the horrific tape that I put on the back of my car.

[09victoryrc]

Lift it easy and it won't break !

[tcelikel]

Thanks for the video. Does anyone know if this defect applies to the 2011/2012 model tCs?

[JeffMcNeal]

@tcelikel I don't think so. It looks like a redesigned panel, but if it breaks off after two or three years of normal use, all bets are off?

[tcelikel]

@JeffMcNeal Didn't think of that. I guess we'll find out in a couple more years! I still may use your method of lifting up under the lid, that's an awful lot of weight to be supported by a little plastic release button.

[JeffMcNeal]

@tcelikel Yeah, it would have been fine if Scion had used stronger anchor points under the panel, but they're flimsy plastic that as best I can figure, simply gets brittle with age. The repeated cycles of heat, pressure, etc., just break them down. For those that have the rear spoilers, you can always use those to lift the hatch as well once you pop the release. BTW, the last repair I performed seems to be holding up real well...

[cujominujo]

Oops, sorry, the number is 1-866-70-SCION.

[cujominujo]

I called 1-866-SCION to complain about this, and they me reimbursed for it. I recommend calling, but you might have to be a hardcase about it. Don't let them talk you down in the price reimbursement, and have the issue escalated if you need to. This is definitely a design flaw, but they won't address it unless you call them individually and complain about it.

[JeffMcNeal]

@cujominujo So... what's the rest of the number? SCION is only 5-digits. 

[YeahYeahReptile]

Wow dude,thanks for this,mine crapped out last week.It sounded like something was popping out of place so this must be the problem and solution.Cool vid!

[jamieleemims]

Omg thank you!!! They wanted 140$ for the part and 150$ for labor!

[lilshyhon123]

Thank you so much for this vid. About two weeks ago my brother broke mine and I have it taped. I see quite a few other Scions the same way. Glad you posted this vid. Toyota should really do a better job about that.

[donfolstar]

Great fix.

The rear hatch of our Scion is all around one of the mostly poorly engineered things I have encountered on a newer car.

[arsnara31]

Mine just broke yesterday, in a parking lot-snapped off right in my hand--I felt like 'The Hulk'--lol. Actually, I felt horrible because I don't have the extra money right now to fix this-- So, THANK YOU VERY MUCH from Pittsburgh, Pa!!:)

[JeffMcNeal]

@arsnara31 You are more than welcome. FYI, there is an alternate method you may wish to consider for re-attachment. My son was a little lackadaisical about opening the repaired panel with the "two handed method" that I strongly recommend in the tutorial, and the panel worked loose again. So this time, I used plastic wire ties combined with clear silicone adhesive/sealant in the same places that I used the double-sided tape previously. So far, that seems to be working well.

[suegypt]

Thanks! mine broke today on my 2006.

[Thetrumpetnator]

God Bless You.... Mine has been broken for months! It's currently taped with packaging tape to the sides.... I thought I was the only one until I saw another scion tc with the same problem! I was laughing so hard....

[duceanahalf]

Does anyone have a part number or a place online to buy this part?

[AutoPartsCheaper]

@duceanahalf they are available at:

a place called auto parts cheaper. look them up in google. They come painted and with a new emblem. A new better design!

[alepau29]

Thanks so much for this tutorial!, mine broke a couple days ago, and i just got the outdoor mounting tape, will try to fix it tomorrow. Just one question, mine is still hanging on to the right side and i noticed there are some cables in there, i guess for the light, should i just pull the piece out carefully, and will it affect the cables in any way? thanks!!

[JeffMcNeal]

@alepau29 The cables, or wires you are referring to, are probably for the hatch release electronics and perhaps the lights as well. There should be enough slack in the wiring to pull the panel clear without damaging anything. Just be careful!

[asg102]

The issue is the locking mechanism. What happens is if you do not lift as the press the button it locks up again and you apply force to the plastic.

[JeffMcNeal]

@asg102 Sorry, but I disagree. While what you describe can certainly play a *part* in what's going on, the strength of the anchor points are inadequate, the plastic get brittle with heat and age and break from the stress of having to lift the weight of the hatch. That's all there is to it.

[hypergal55]

Thank you thank you...I can't wait to try to fix mine. I broke mine twice, the first time I spent $200. It lasted for 8 months. Now I have ghetto duck tape on it.

[yara809]

Thank you soo much for posting this video. I just came back from my local dealer, they were trying to charge me $170 for just the part, and with the instalation it was going to cost me $382. That's a lot of money. The guy that was helping me out, told me that this problem is the reason why the new scion tc (2011) has a actual trunk.

[JeffMcNeal]

I am SO GLAD that this little vid is helping so many people. Cheers. Jeff

[anitralauro]

Thanks so much. This just happened to my Scion 2007 tC. Fixed quickly and easily. I am not trying to shell out money for their mess up! Thanks again for the quick video.

[bamaboy07tc]

Thanks for the Vid. I have noticed a lot of tC's around town with this problem. I had already picked up on the 2 hand method. Just this past weekend i fell victom to this problem.

[bigloaded7]

Thanks for the video u save me alot of money bro. Thanks again.

[ChadHolloway]

Mine just broke as well, called and the assembly to repair this is $153.00!!!

[Twinkie324]

OMG!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! My trunk hatch literally broke about 30 min ago, and I was afraid to find out how much it would cost. I'm gonna do this method first, and quite honestly probably keep doing it. I use my trunk A LOT as well, but paying for car repairs....I don't have the cash for.

[tseawstintx]

i fixed mine yesterday and so far so good...thanks for making this video

[Mikenopolis]

@JeffMcNeal I hope your son loves you very much for doing such a great job on making it look "normal". I've seen so many tC s on the road with this piece missing or TAPED on, people just don't seem to love their cars who the heck duct tapes a car?!

There needs to be a class action law suit, this is clearly a faulty design. Luckily I decided not to get this car in 2007 because it was small for me, I love the look

[likeWHOAdonna]

This how to vid is awesome!! I'm having the exact same problem. I ended up just slapping clear tape to keep it from falling. Ty so much, I was so close to buying a brand new piece. This will save me time & money! ^_^

[mwakeley1987]

After I mount it back on how long should i wait before i get my car washed?

[JeffMcNeal]

@mwakeley1987 As long as you followed the instructions and the tape is firmly affixed to clean surfaces on both sides, not long at all. I really can't vouch for how long, or how well this repair will hold up after X number of automatic car washes. Sorry.

[incognitoTLM]

Thanks for posting this how to video sir. This handle is a total joke. Just as you mentioned, its very poorly designed and a quality control blunder. I'm using this method to repair mines.

[amyleslie84]

Mine just broke this morning, and I wasnt sure how to repair it. I certainly didnt want to buy a new piece. THANKS for posting this!! I wouldnt have thought of this repair!

[JeffMcNeal]

@amyleslie84 You're very welcome.  ;-)

[persyst]

Thanks for the how-to, mine just broke off yesterday after 5 years, haha!

[sbob1002]

Worked perfectly like a charm..i followed Exactly as shown on your video and its fixed now..Thanks a lot for posting this video and helping us..Thanks again..Guys follow his method it works perfectly

[JeffMcNeal]

@sbob1002 Just a caveat - don't forget to open the lift with the method I described, or eventually, it will come off again. Such a shame that Toyota didn't issue a recall on these. It's pretty ridiculous.

[mkcjonise85]

same here im thinking about doing a class action on them its redic how i see scions with tape like its part of the car.

[TheCashistrash]

@mkcjonise85 if you do post it here ill join the suit.

[theshelleydennisshow]

Thank you so much! Mine just broke off last week, and the tape that's holding it up now makes my cute little car look so tacky and cheap.  Really appreciate you taking the time to do this. My father lives half way across the country, so I feel like I got a "rent a dad" for this :)

[JeffMcNeal]

@theshelleydennisshow Oh, you're so welcome! And thanks for the "rent a dad" comment. That makes me feel great. I'm glad that you found my "how to" helpful.

[michelledeanna123]

Thanks very much this helped !! Did you ever end up trying that zip thing ?

[JeffMcNeal]

@michelledeanna123 Thank you! And no, so far, my repair is holding, so I haven't tried the zip tie thing - yet!!

[xobeachfreakxo]

Yup, driving around now all taped up...currently on hold now with Toyota Customer Experience Center...letting them know about their shitty design...everyone else should call in too so they can already recall the damn thing and replace it for everyone :)

[llx2o1]

thatshitisripe(dot)com/images/­sciontc/IMG02.jpg  . replace (dot). Look at that 2 red circles, thats where my Zip ties go under.

[JeffMcNeal]

@llx2o1 Coolio. Thanks. I think that, plus the double sided tape on the side tapers, would be an even better repair. The tape would help to add a little more stability. Thanks for the comment and pic link.

[llx2o1]

@JeffMcNeal yea definitely... i just dont see the point of having to replace the whole thing when the product are going to be the same. Might as well drill some holes through that piece and attach some long bots through it.

[llx2o1]

i removed the screws from the inside and used ZIP TIEs. it works perfectly and pretty steady too. and that only cost about 50 cents. haha

[JeffMcNeal]

@llx2o1 That sounds good, but what did you loop the zip ties through on the broken hatch panel itself?

[llx2o1]

@JeffMcNeal behind the handle, there are 2 plastic pieces that have a gap under, each piece is about an inch long and it was lays vertically so im not worrying about that breaking off. I just loop it under there and into the holes where the screws used to be.

[jostylist23]

@llx2o1

Read your Scion comment - Join the club...its not soooo funning...int NOT IF its WHEN trunk will break!

I started a Facebook page addressing this issue. Please LIKE the page. There is info on what action you may take.

Scion-tC-and-XB-Defective-Trun­k-Hatch-Handle

[annemaree]

Very useful share, will show my son!