Definitely NOT normal. It should latch easily from it's own weight when dropped from about 12 inches. Could be that the rubber bumpers at either corner need adjusting (they just screw in or out). Or it could be that the latch itself is miss-aligned or the hook that it grabs is loose.

 

Agree with other post, definitely not normal. One of the things I like about the Volt, among other more important features of course, is that the doors and hatchback seem like almost "self close". Just get the door or hatch moving, and it seems to close the rest of the way beautifully itself. No slamming of any door.

Which dealer are you working with in the SD area?

 

One of the things I like about the Volt, among other more important features of course, is that the doors and hatchback seem like almost "self close". Just get the door or hatch moving, and it seems to close the rest of the way beautifully itself. No slamming of any door.

The engine compartment on my 2017 seems very tough to close. I have to totally DROP it from what seems to be way too high compared to any other hood I've ever closed.

 

Weseloh, Carlsbad.
Actually my wife took it in as I was indisposed during the appointment time. i probably would have dug a bit deeper had I been there.

 

I had the same problem. My local dealer adjusted something and fixed about 80% of it.

 

The car is built so airtight that the rear hatch can be tough to close on the first shot.

If a window or door is open, you'll notice the hatch will close without a problem. But if all doors and windows are closed, the hatch sometimes requires a little more effort.

I adjusted the rubber stoppers (twisted them to adjust the stopper height) on the hatch and it definitely helped my car.

 

I tried to adjust the lower latch part on mine, but it was already at the highest position, so left it as is. Shutting a door after closing the hatch works, but little bit of a nuisance. Finally, after 7 months it seems to be getting easier to shut. Maybe some rubber seals or stops are settling, but if the lower part is already at the top position, then I don't know if the top part of the latch has any adjustment because some trim has to be removed to see.

 

Great thread... this is one of the annoyances I have with my 2017, I also feel like I have to slam the hatch to shut.

 

When any window is open the hatch closes easily. When all windows are shut I start the hatch down using the handhold but as the hatch is moving down I place the palm of my hand atop the spoiler lip and push down just enough to close the hatch.

 

Hmmm...thought I'd posted this last night, but it's not there. Agreed with those talking about how airtight the vehicle is being the "problem", if you consider that a problem!

I have the same behavior on my '17 Volt. If the other doors and windows are open, the hatch will latch fully from just about any height you let it drop from on its own. Close the other doors and windows, and anything below about 8-10" and it won't latch fully. Drop it from 12" and it will latch fully whether the doors are open or not.

It sounds crazy, but that hatch is so darn big, and it's angled so low that it's trying to push a lot of air through the cabin as you close it. With the airtight cabin, the air has no place to go quickly, so it cushions the hatch enough from a low height to buffer it from latching fully.

I personally thought it was an issue for about two tries until I figured it out being the cabin sealed so tight, now I think it's an indicator of a very well-built car.

 

Thanks for the replies and potential solutions. Great forum for new and old owners alike!

 

Well I originally reported that my hatch did not produce any problems, error messages not closing. Yesterday it did start happening, it happened 3 different times yesterday where it seemed closed but you get the message on the DIC. I actually hit dismiss in one case but the message shows on the car icon further to the left with the red line at the hatch area indicating it was open. Definitely a nuisance but easily fixed by getting out and reclosing. Hopefully this goes away as suddenly as it appeared yesterday.

 

As some of the others have said, I too have noticed that it gets easier over time. My car turns one year old on November 1 and I really don't have many issues with closing the hatch anymore. I think things just settle in after a while.

 

Just got a new 2017 today and having trouble with the rear hatch as well. Glad to know it isn't serious and might be able to adjust it.

 

FWIW, my rear hatch was tough to close initially. After 6000+ miles it's gotten much easier. I'm guessing the bumpers have softened a bit from use and are now requiring less force to let the latch engage.

 

I reported earlier in this thread that I also experienced this issue, it hasn't been a problem since my post above, it does seem to resolve itself over time.