The trunk leaks and i think there is piece missing. on the bottom of the trunk by the latch there is a bar with 4 slots for clips to go into. i know they are clips because they are still in the slots. i think the pice broke off, and thats what causing it. but i cant find the pice online to save my life

Try using the truck lid key to reset the top latch...use the key to release/open the trunk...also try using the inside trunk release to reset the top latch...also spray some PB Blaster on both the latch, and the catch...hope this helps.

So you know how to work the latch, and the latch is working.

Now you need to look and the holding bar, if you have to remover the plastic cover to see how it's bolted on do it.

Sounds like the bar moved down so the trunk hits the gasket before it can lock on the bar.

See if loosening the bar bolts will allow the bar to be raised just a hair.

The bar,called a strut snaps on to a small piece that is connected to the chassis of the vehicle.It should have a clip that lifts up,put the end of the strut over the piece on the chassis,and push the clip back down.You dont even need tools.

There are two rods, one has rubber on it. I just replaced the one with rubber on it. Looking at the one rod that was still in place, you can see it mirrors the rod you are going to replace, the placement is just opposite the one that is in there. The rod has a left end that is a square "C" shape, and the right end has a "V" bend right before the end. First position the rod above the seat release cables (if you have them) then position the "V" end near the inside right top of the trunk. Then slide the left "C" end into one of the three slots (I used the bottom slot). Leave it loose so it can rotate with just the tip in the slot. Slide the rod to the right so the "V" is above the spring clip (don't clip it in yet). The right side and the left side of the "V" has to fit into the tabs underneath and inside the top of the trunk. Compare to the left side to see how it fits. Once in place, you can then lower the "V" down to the clip and snap it over the bottom tip of the "V". These steps are easier if the trunk is propped not fully open. I had someone lower the trunk part way while I lay on my back inside the trunk, and I used a small open end wrench to bend the rod slightly to get it to fit into the tabs. The final step is to position the left side of the rod so the torque will hold the lid open. I used a small open end wrench, placed it over the tip in the slot and rotated CW upward until straight part of the rod slid over the hook to hold it in place. This last step had me concerned that I could bend or break the rod, but I went slowly and carefully and was quite happy when it snapped into place and held the lid open.

If you still have the broken piece, you can try to use that to try to open the back. Otherwise, you have to open it from the inside.
I changes mine in 2007 so if memory serves me, I had to remove the back panel and pull on the cable to open the door.

Now to see and pull on the cable, and replace the latch, you have to take off the inside liner/panel to get to the latch to replace it. This took about 2 careful hours to replace.

The trick is to get the two side pieces off.
These two plastic pieces are next to the window on the left and right sides. Each piece is about 3 inches wide and 18 inches long. Using a strong grip, or a pry bar or large screwdriver, take off both pieces. There are three clip areas that holds each piece in.

If you are using a tool, be careful to protect the area by wrapping a towel on the screwdriver/tool.

After that the bottom liner piece pulls away and you can see the latch.
There are two screws/bolts that holds the latch.

The two pieces snaps back in pretty easily.

You probably broke the plastic piece shaped like a J.
You can try to glue the pieces back, but note that the piece broke due to age. I changed the whole assembly - good for another 7 yrs. I could not find just the plastic piece.

If you go to Sears or any large dept. store you can puchase a 24" long flat head screwdriver. Using this and a flash light you'll see a slot on the release mechanism right in the center rear of the trunklid. Turn it clockwise to open the trunk. Yuo'll probably find some small object has lodged in the catch. Oh by the way, have someone on the outside lifting occasionally while you turn the screw driver. Best of luck, Dana

I posted this for a manual door - not sure for automatic door.

If you still have the broken piece, you can try to use that to try to open the back. Otherwise, you have to open it from the inside.
I changes mine in 2007 so if memory serves me, I had to remove the back panel and pull on the cable to open the door.

Now to see and pull on the cable, and replace the latch, you have to take off the inside liner/panel to get to the latch to replace it. This took about 2 careful hours to replace.

The trick is to get the two side pieces off.
These two plastic pieces are next to the window on the left and right sides. Each piece is about 3 inches wide and 18 inches long. Using a strong grip, or a pry bar or large screwdriver, take off both pieces. There are three clip areas that holds each piece in.

If you are using a tool, be careful to protect the area by wrapping a towel on the screwdriver/tool.

After that the bottom liner piece pulls away and you can see the latch.
There are two screws/bolts that holds the latch.

The two pieces snaps back in pretty easily.

You probably broke the plastic piece shaped like a J.
You can try to glue the pieces back, but note that the piece broke due to age. I changed the whole assembly - good for another 7 yrs. I could not find just the plastic piece

I was looking for a solution but found none.  Here is what happened.  I opened my trunk and wound up pulling on a little red plug that will open the trunk.  The red plug pulled loose in my hand.  The cord on the red plug snapped in half.  What I did not know was that there was a small plastic clip that had pulled loose.  The clip connected the various releases (remote, door switch, and inside the trunk handle) to the actual latch.  

Here is what I did.  First I removed the back seat and the frame to the hole that goes back to the trunk (this is a convertible).  The bottom of the seat pulled up and had a rod connected to the car.  I pulled the rod out of the hole and slipped the other side off.  Next I removed the head rests off (they popped up and off).  I used an hex wrench (I think 8mm).  There were three bolts on the bottom of the seat back.  The seat back then comes out.  The frame has 4 or 5 more hex bolts.  Now the hard part.  I was able to reach in and remove a screw under the handle release.  Then I pulled out the plastic inside cover to the trunk, enough to reach a small rod that extended up from the trunk latch.  This released the trunk, allowing me to repair everything.  I replaced the plastic plug cord with a metal cable (this time wrapped around the metal arm of the trunk release).  I put the little plastic connector back on (it did not break, just popped loose).  Now everything works great again.  
Good luck!

I bought some grease and sprayed all the trunk latch pieces but then I found out the problem. On the bottom part of the latch [not the lid but the attached part] there is a spring that has a rubber pad that has to be compressed when the lid closes to completely latch. I noticed the side of the latch on the trunk lid had scratches from the latch slipping past the rubber pad on the spring. The solution was easy. I took a screw driver and wedged the padded area so it would make direct contact and now it latches just fine.

I answered this for someone else -

If you still have the broken piece, you can try to use that to try to open the back. Otherwise, you have to open it from the inside.
I changed mine in 2007 so if memory serves me, I had to remove the back panel and pull on the cable to open the door.

Now to see and pull on the cable, and replace the latch, you have to take off the inside liner/panel to get to the latch to replace it. This took about 2 careful hours to replace.

The trick is to get the two side pieces off.
These two plastic pieces are next to the window on the left and right sides. Each piece is about 3 inches wide and 18 inches long. Using a strong grip, or a pry bar or large screwdriver, take off both pieces. There are three clip areas that holds each piece in.

If you are using a tool, be careful to protect the area by wrapping a towel on the screwdriver/tool.

After that the bottom liner piece pulls away and you can see the latch.
There are two screws/bolts that holds the latch.

The two pieces snaps back in pretty easily.

You probably broke the plastic piece shaped like a J.
You can try to glue the pieces back, but note that the piece broke due to age. I changed the whole assembly - good for another 7 yrs. I could not find just the plastic piece