How to get rear hatch open on 2004 Kia Sorento the latch won't release and is stuck closed

If it has come apart, it needs replacing or re-attaching.

Does it have manual lever type handle or an electric release? Can you hear it unlock/lock?

The striker probably needs adjusting - if it is a double sneck latch move the striker out a little and if it is just a single sneck latch it will need moving in.

A tailgate or rear hatch usually closes on to adjustable rubber buffers that often lose adjustment due to them "walking" over time. The aim is to strike a balance between the correct latching of the tailgate and pressure on the rubber buffers so the tailgate doesn't rattle and the finished position is where the gap between the tailgate and body is equal all the way around.

Rear hatch is locked or unlocked with a key. (if equipped) • To open the rear hatch, insert the key into the lock, turn it to the unlock position and pull up the rear hatch by pressing the handle (DOOR). You can also lock/unlock the latch (but not release it) with the central door lock system. • If unlocked, the rear hatch can be opened by pressing the handle (DOOR) and pulling the hatch up. • To close the rear hatch, lower and push down the rear hatch firmly. Make sure that the rear hatch is securely latched.

Mine did this too....the latch kept getting stuck. If you put the key in the ignition and unlock the power doors, pull on the gate door (don't open it, just enough to release the latch), and it should come out so the hatch will latch.

could very well be a fuse....check this......need more help fill free to contact me........good luck.

If, when closing the rear hatch, it hits "hard" just before it reaches the closed position; it is very likely that the latch mechanism in the hatch is "stuck" in the latched or closed position already. This is a fairly common occurrence and takes less than a few minutes to fix. Literally.

In order to allow the latch to close around the mating piece on the car body, it will need to be opened first. To open a closed latch mechanism, you will need to simulate opening the hatch from its normal closed position. With the hatch open, look at the latch mechanism. It will align with the bar on the opening of the car. Adjust the hatch / your view to see how the mechanism would be wrapped around the bar on the body - keeping the hatch securely shut. Once you see an opening in the mechanism described above, slip the shaft of a sturdy screwdriver into the opening. Apply a pulling pressure outward - away from the latch on the screwdriver with one hand, and with the other hand (or with the help of an assistant), operate the handle / lock of the hatch the way you did when the hatch was closed. Immediately upon operating the handle / lock, the latch mechanism will unlock, and the pulling pressure of the screwdriver simulates the hatch being pulled away from the bar on the car - and seemingly magically - open allowing the screwdriver to be pulled out.

Next, you'll need to determine and correct the cause of the latch being in the wrong position. It could be something as simple as someone pushing the mechanism shut when the hatch was open; or it may be caused by a poorly lubricated mechanism that is not snapping into a fully open position. When this happens, it is likely the the closing motion of the hatch actually snaps the mechanism shut when it is stuck on the leading edge of the latch - instead of in the "throat" of the latch (where the screwdriver was). A liberal amount of a dry lubricant such as silicone or graphite applied to the mechanism and "worked in" through repeated opening and closing motions of the hatch would be a good start. Resist the temptation of using a wet lubricant like oil, grease, WD-40, etc. as these attract dirt and dust - which can interfere with a nice, fluid movement of the these latching parts. If there is already a lot of dirt, dust or rust, build up on the latch mechanism, it should be cleaned as good as possible before applying lubricant. Use an electrical contact type cleaner as these clean, degrease, dry quickly and leave no residue.

If you are unable to to get the latch to work - have your mechanic or auto servicer look at it. They should be able to quickly diagnose and free the latch. Most will not even bother to charge you to do this - if this is the cause of the problem.

I hope this helps & good luck!

It sounds like the lock actuator has failed or has a poor connection which won't allow the latch to release. What you will need to do is remove the inside rear hatch panel to access the lock actuator. Once you get to the latch use a flat screwdriver to release the latch being careful not to damage the glass.

----------- Click this link below for more troubleshooting:-- http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/09/rear-hatch-wont-open-on-2005-gmc-yukon.html -------- This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

Two things happen. One the latch is already latched and therefore it's closed before the gate shut, When you try to close it you might notice that the door don't close all the way. This doe'snt have to be thwe case. the other thing that happens if the lock mechanism is working, You here it click? The latch is stuck as the opener is stuck. You might get lucky and spray the latch with Blaster or other rust buster type penatrant. Theres angles though the opening of the latch . Spray on several angles and repleatly close the door trying to vibrate the Penatrant into the stuck area. Looking at the latch use a screw driver to move the latch and see if you can cycle it though it's positions to see if you can latch and unlatch it with the tool and reopen by pullung the handle ( you may need to try ther inside handle too and even the remote openner if you have one. Ussaaaly you need to push the button twice to open the rear hatch so it may take a few trys and spraying to get it to come loose.. Some vehicals stay closed a long time and stuck is the way to think.. But if the door is used often the linkage inside the door mayh have come off the the latch is closed and the linkage doesn't open the laTCH AND THE THING MANAGED TO GET CLOSED WITHT THE DOOR OPEN.

call a locksmith as, the latch spring or, latch pawl has fallen off
a lock smith has a special tool that can remove the lock from the outside without causing damage