Panic - tailgate wouldn't close.

[JFDIT]

Clearly if you're not confident in doing the job take it to a garage. I was joking about using Halfords.

[gharper73]

If they're not prepared to make a contribution to the replacement cost I'd take it to any garage to have new ones fitted. Or do it yourself, pretty simple job.
You can buy the replacement struts for the cost of the diagnosis.

JFDIT, did you change the struts yourself?

I've just spoken to a local independent garage. They hadn't changed these on a Volvo before and questioned whether it would be a simple plug & play (in which case they could do the job) or whether they'd need to plug into the Volvo computer (which they couldn't do).

I'll ask the local dealer when I take it in for a service on Monday.

[JFDIT]

The adverts I've seen for replacement struts say they're plug n play. But best check with a garage that knows the answer.
Bear in mind you can set the tailgate opening height with the boot controls and the tailgate stops automatically when resistance is presented so would expect it doesn't require Volvo kit to configure, but I don't know for sure.

[gharper73]

Update following my service today.

I'd originally been quoted £600+ by my local Volvo dealer to replace the RHS strut. £180 labour and £400+ for the part. Based on some of the previous contributors to this thread mentioning that they'd had their struts replaced for free or discounted as a gesture of goodwill by Volvo, I tried this approach with my local dealer. They asked the question of Volvo and I ended up getting both struts replaced for £83, which I'm happy with. All done whilst the car was in for service.

As an aside, the dealer had previously said that the part was plug and play (didn't need to be plugged into the Volvo computer) so this suggests that the work could be carried out by an independent garage if needed.

[Stovo]

Great result for you, the fact you were able to quote similar incidents from the forum, obviously helped in getting the successful outcome you did. Pat on the back for the forum, and well done Volvo!

[JFDIT]

Good to hear they acknowledged the fault. Seems like a decent dealership too; care to name them?

[ak888]

They asked the question of Volvo and I ended up getting both struts replaced for £83, which I'm happy with.

That is a bargain. I tried the route and emailed my dealer where I get the car serviced. Referenced this thread. They enquired with Volvo after checking my mileage and Volvo history and they said 60% was offered and so would cost about 430.

Checked another dealer and was told normal costs was around 1000 pounds.

Now considering if I should live with it or get it sorted.

[Stovo]

They asked the question of Volvo and I ended up getting both struts replaced for £83, which I'm happy with.

That is a bargain. I tried the route and emailed my dealer where I get the car serviced. Referenced this thread. They enquired with Volvo after checking my mileage and Volvo history and they said 60% was offered and so would cost about 430.

Checked another dealer and was told normal costs was around 1000 pounds.

Now considering if I should live with it or get it sorted.

Dependent on how bad they are (they will only get worse with time ), not sure how ‘you live with it’. Not only will it be an inconvenience, but could prove downright dangerous at some point in the future. If it was my vehicle, I would get sorted, sooner rather than later. Just a friendly suggestion.

[Lurch]

My XC40 seems to have started to suffer the same fate with one of the struts. It makes a clicking noise as closing, gets about 2 thirds down, beeps and then opens again. Have to push it down manually. My car was manufactured in 2020, but does have the metal shrouded style ones.

[ChrisLF]

Sounds like the same symptoms as my previous car though that would only go about halfway down and it had the plastic shrouded struts. One would have hoped that the redesigned struts would have solved the problem.

My current car isn't even a year old yet but over the last few days there has been an intermittent creaking noise when the tailgate closes. Going in for a service soon so will be flagged up.