Scion tC broken rear hatch handle panel repair tutorial

Scion tC's are great little cars. Lots of fun to drive and very popular. Unfortunately, they seem to suffer from a common defect. With enough use, the rear hatch release panel will break off due to the flimsy plastic anchor points beneath the panel that get brittle with age and weakened with use. I've seen several tC's around my own town that have had the panels broken. New, color matched replacement panels are available online as of this posting for $108 plus shipping, but of course, you need to be able to disassemble the handle switch, logo, etc. and re-install on the new panel, which is not only throwing money down the tubes, but time consuming and a hassle.

I created this vid as a DIY tutorial if you want to repair it yourself for around $5 and about a half hour to hour of your time. A little more care with future use as described in the vid and the repair should hold indefinitely.

One thing I failed to mention in the vid is to be sure that the release switch wire that goes to the handle grip is tucked out of the way before refastening the panel. You don't want to pinch these wires for obvious reasons.

Update: In order for the simple repair shown in the video to work, you need to retrain yourself on how to open the rear hatch. If you have a spoiler, simply squeeze the handle release with one hand and use the other up under the spoiler to lift the rear hatch. Otherwise, reach underneath the hatch and lift the panel via the lower lip of the panel (as shown in the vid). If you don't open the hatch this way as a habit after the repair, you will probably want to reinforce the repair as shown in this vid with some plastic wire ties, to firmly hold the repaired release panel snug against the hatch panel. It's just extra insurance that your panel will STAY fixed. Good luck!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Scion
• tC
• Hatch
• trunk
• Handle
• Broken
• Repair
• Tutorial
• How
• To
• Release
• Fix
• Remedy
• Rear
• Panel
• Toyota

[Whelly15]

Special thanks to Jeff for this. Just broke it tonight, I had no idea this was a common problem, and lo and behold this video was waiting for me like manna from heaven.

[JeffMcNeal]

@Whelly15 So glad I could help. Good luck.

[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

[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.

[memphman86]

thanks dude

[valentina5580]

i wonder if it could be possible to demand scion for a recall on this kind of vehicle. i have a xcion 2006 and the hatch broke tooooo! it looks raggedy

[mariesal1]

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

[DjJampos]

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

[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.

[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.

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