I have just purchased an 09 Range Rover Sport 2.7 HSE model. I have a boot liner on order but because my sons push chair was dirty my wife said to put a blanket in the boot.
Literally 2 hours after buying the car today I have closed the tailgate and have just caught the edge of the blanket in the latch. After pulling the felt like blanket it ripped and nothing seems to be caught still.
The tailgate open warning message is on although the tailgate is closed, albeit with some movement. I can open the window section but no matter how much jiggling or pushing the button to release the bottom section it will not budge. I have tried pressing bothe the lock and unlock buttons on the dash together but because the car thinks the tailgate is open it's not opening. Has anyone got any suggestions. I feel like a prize idiot !!

Julius there have been a few reports like this recently if you use the search function with "tailgate" - IIRC you can try holding the lock and unlock buttons on the dash held in for 5 secs as a release too..................... 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

thanks for the reply. just tried pushing the buttons but because the car is saying the tailgate is open it's not working.

Sounds like it could be a trip back to the dealer on Monday, just hope you can secure the car with that message on the screen. You could try using your Land Rover Assist and getting them to sort it at home 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

unfortunately I live in Leicestershire and the dealer is in Bristol. I am not aware of Land Rover assist. Will Google it now.

Land Rover Assist is part of the 3 year warranty that comes with the car, also you can take your car to ANY UK dealer to have warranty work done and as your car is 2009 then it has at least another 2 years to run, so does your LRA membership. Details should be in your owners manual. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Thanks again Tim. You are a star. I have phoned them and they are coming tomorrow to fix it. Emergency over !!!

Just to let other people know LR Assist came and unfortunately the tailgate latch striker appears to be loose. they cannot fix it so it's a dealer job.

as a by-product of the tailgate being classed as open when its actually closed (but not fully) and cannot be opened the car sounds the hown once very loudly when i close the car with the central lockin on the key. does anyone know how to stop this until i get the problem fixed?

You cannot, it is telling you you have left a door, the tailgate or the bonnet open and to check them! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Thanks again Tim. I did fear that was the case. Oh well.....it looks like I will be waking the kids next door tomorrow night when I get back from football at 10pm. I will probably be sent to Coventry in my street.

You don't have to return the car to the dealer you bought it from as to me it is a warranty job, take it to your nearest dealer tomorrow and get them to adjust it - there is one in your area. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Thats what I am doing but I won't get a chance to go tomorrow. It's looking like Tuesday at the earliest unfortunately

Best to phone them and book it in rather than just turning up. Also be careful if you are driving any distance - 1) The tail could fly up while you are driving and 2) It won't be fully sealed, so you will draw exhaust fumes into through the tiny gap where it hasn't closed 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

The tailgate problem is sorted. I want to let everyone know how it was caused and the potential solution. It appears it was caused by pressing the full tailgate open button yet pulling the tailgate up with the middle of the handle (where the top tailgate open button is). This confused the car and when closing it only soft closed. The guy from Land Rover Assist who came today explained its a common fault. He said to only ever open the full tailgate by using the 2 grips above the ends of the number plate and not to use the middle.

To resolve it he pushed the tailgate in and at the same time pushed the full tailgate open button at the same time. There is a knack. He said sometimes he's done it first time and sometimes it's taken 10 minutes. Mine took about 30 seconds. When pushing push the tailgate in a forward direction and slightly down. Don't hold the button in, just press at the same time.


Thanks everyone for all your help.