Rear hatchback wont open

you have to time it perfectly use your key fob and repeatedly hit unlock and just before it clicks back to lock pull the handle for the hatchback its all about timing

the sequoia hatchback handle breaking is a known problem due to the extremely low quality of the plastic. 1st you have to open the back door! there is a small pin to the right side of the hatchback door exterior handle. bend a coat hanger and put it on the small pin, pull down and the door will open. Then remove inside panel and you can undo screws and replace the hatchback door handle.

Usually it is a little rust on the outside handle and it does not return fully. try to push the handle back to the return position and unlock the doors again. It should work then. The lock will not unlock if the handle is not fully returned. I sure hope this helps and have a great day.

before you pull stuff, go to the back of the car. Instead of pulling the latch (away from the car and towards you) to open the hatch, push the lever in the other direction (towards the car, away from you).

i had this happen to me and read about it online, worked totally fine. It's just stuck towards you and not "sitting" correctly. Hope it works!

The latch on the gate holds and locks itself on a peg on the floor panel. These are adjustable and after time can move causing the problems you have now.

You may have to get in the boot / trunk and remove the inner panel to access the lock internally to open but try this first:

Pull up latch handle and keep holding it up until open, shoulder firmly the backdoor as if you are trying to close it hard, it should click, then pull open.

I assume you've already worked the seat belt end back and forth with force. Did the belt move at all? Did you remove the rear seat bottom cusion from the car? That will give you additional leverage on the belt.
If the belt twisted the last time it was used and then rolled up, you need to go to the dealer or an upholstery shop for help.

Legacy, right? Can you tilt the backseats' backrests forward? like when you want to transport something big in the trunk... I suppose the sedan has this similarly to the station wagon. 
Use a pocket torch to look for the lock body from inside and there should be a small button or better a lever that you have no clue what it is there for, right? try to push it or pull it from ech side untill it opens. 
It is actually there to prevent transporting people in the trunk against their will(unlike the movies, where it is possible).

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Section 501-14A: Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms 1997 F-150, F-250 Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Latch, Rear Door — Upper Removal

1. Remove the rear door trim panel; refer to Section 501-05 .

1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.
   1. Remove the four radio speaker screws.
   1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.

1. Carefully peel off the rear door watershield.

1. Disconnect the upper rear door latch cable.
   1. Lift the clip.
   1. Pull to release the cable from its seated position.

1. Remove the upper rear door latch.
   1. Remove the three screws.
   1. Pull the upper rear door latch and the cable up through the door latch opening.

Check the Handle and make sure it has returned to fully closed. They tend to build a little rust and do not return all the way. If that is not it I would check the latch itself to see if it moving properly and not already in the closed position. Sometimes they will stick and when you try to close it will lock before it has caught the pin. If that is the problem you can spray with WD40 and operate handle while pushing out with screw driver. Good luck and have a good day.

over time the grease in the locks etc can become frozen and stop movement when its warmed up a bit it will move better, using the key on the doors every now and then helps move this greas about as the central locking wont move these parts only the switches, replacing the grease after a degreasing locking mechanisms inside the door on the rear of the lock should help choose a grease that can handle low temperatures.