Ford Explorer back hatch door/window latches broken

SOURCE: my back hatch door doen't want to open

i have had the same problem many times with my mercury villager. one thing i have found to work on more than one occasion is while it is closed, push the back hatch as if you were shutting it. hit the lock button ( either on remote or inside of van ). then push the handle out on the hatch to make sure it will catch all the way. unlock the doors and pull on the handle, the hatch should open with no problem.

SOURCE: how to unlock a broken ford windstar rear door

You will need to remove the hatch panel, and release it manually. It is a pain in the **** with the hatch closed, but it can be done.

SOURCE: 2004 ford freestar rear hatch latch broken

have you fixed yours yet? mine started doing this last year

SOURCE: The rear latch/handle on our

Here's how I repaired mine. Go inside and remove the plastic 2" square plastic cover. By pushing on the lever inside this area, the latch will release. Push on the door at the same time, when the latch is pushed. With the door open, remove all four screws from the plastic panel. Now pry carefully the big plastic panel off the door. There are plastic snaps holding this on, all around the edges. Now there is another metal cover over the latch mechanism under this panel. Remove this. You now can see into the latch area and put the handle back into the slot where it came out of. You'll see that the ends of the handle can be put back on the round bar, but to hold them in place, I attached 2 nylon ties on one end. You can also purchase a metal push on retainer from the local hardware store. Mine has been repaired for 8 months and had no trouble. Ford used no retainer on these handles and after prolonged use, they bend and the handle can be pulled off. A twenty minute job. Your wife can even do it.
Fred C

SOURCE: replacement of rear hatch latch.

Try from the other end ,attach a string so you can replace it.