The piston-like air struts that are supposed to hold the rear trunk lid open on my 2003 Lexus ls 430 (bought new in December 2002) slowly stopped functioning starting around 4 years ago. Now they do not work at all. While this is an inconvenience to have to open the trunk manually, the real danger is that are no provisions to hold the trunk lid in the open position. Thus, even a light wind or vibration caused by passing vehicles will cause the trunk to teeter off the open position and slam shut. The downward motion of the sharp and heavy edges of the trunk can (and have) caused serious injury to head, fingers, and other body parts - not mention damaging cargo.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA