Is it expensive to have the tailgate release repaired, because it will not release to open. I bought the car used.

The hatchback vehicle and similar has an inherent problem that has been increasing since the rear screen wiper was first fitted to them. Wires must pass from the vehicle body into the tailgate and at this point the wires flex every time the hatch is opened and closed. Standard wiring is not designed to flex so much, so often, for so long and in such a wide temperature spread yet the vehicle manufacturers use standard cable rather than "extra flexible wire" and arctic rated insulation so it isn't surprising to sometimes find one or more wires at or near that stress point have broken. Usually this isn't a great problem or inconvenience - except when the vehicle has an electric tailgate release and that is the wire that has broken..

The fault with your tailgate could be a lack of supply from the front or a break anywhere in the supply or a faulty release switch or even the release mechanism itself but apart from checking the fuses there are few practical steps to take until the tailgate is open.

I have so far been called upon to open two such tailgates and not being a car thief or a locksmith I know only one way and that is to climb inside the luggage space and to do whatever it takes to remove the interior trim panel from the tailgate. It was then relatively easy to disconnect the release and apply 12 volts to the exposed terminals via a pair of probes and I was lucky and the lock instantly released. One needed a new push button and the other a wiring repair.

If it has an electric release or a cable release you will need to open it from the inside by use of the lever (cable) or button (electric) and the vehicle handbook will provide location details. If the releases do not work the fuse(s) might be blown or the cable broken near the handle.

If all has been tried in the car to no avail it will be necessary to open the tailgate by diverse means - in the case of an electric release it is common for the wiring to break where it passes from the vehicle roof into the tailgate and in the hope that is the fault it will be necessary to remove whatever trim is going to give access to either the electric release or the wires nearby and then provide it with a 12 volt supply and hope that opens the tailgate because if it doesn't it will mean manually manipulating the lock - not often easy for the inexperienced.

The cable of the cable release and the release itself is fortunately much more accessible as they are body equipment and not tailgate equipment.

Your going to need a long needle nose pliers to reach the cable and pull it and it should release the tailgate

Really bad idea. This will cost you lower fuel mileage, danger of cargo loss. Mythbusters have run tests proving that the aero effects with the tailgate up form a cushion of air in the bed which reduces drag. None of my business I know.

You should be able to feel around and locate that rod. After you get it you can use some pliers or vice grips to put on the rod to release the lock on that side and the handle on the other side.
As long as the locks and the rods move freely and are in good shape then all you will need is a new handle asm. It will come with new clips and on the other side of the tail-gate are 3 torque-head screws that will need to be removed to replace that handle.

You should be able to get in between the fender and tailgate with a long screwdriver or piece of flat metal and push the catch back into the tailgate. Then pull the handle to release the other side and the gate should open. Hope this helps.

I have a similar problem, my tailgate stopped working with the outside handle and the remote but can be opened manually from the inside. I don't have an alarm so there is no problem with that but did you get a solution for the tailgate problem that I could try?

its a linkage problem . you need to remove the door panel to repair

Need alittle more info. Is the handle lifting with little to no resistance, but the tailgate wont release, or can you feel the latch release but it is just jamed and won't open?

Try checking that the handle in the tailgate returns to the 'open' postion. Once in a while, usually during/after the winter, the tailgate handle gets stuck in the 'pressed in' postion. I have to use WD-40 or some other lubricant to get the handle working again, which allows me to unlock and open the tailgate.