It's been the subject for many years that the 4th Gens rear hatch latch, along with the whole design of the rear hatch, was an item designed to failure.
First those relaching motors how many have had them fail? And the cover under the latch that the nasty black stuff comes out all over ones fingers when the sealant gets hot.
Now today with the Temp. at 16 degrees F the cover becomes so stiff, one can't grip it tight enough to get the hatch to open.
And another item there is no way to unlatch the hatch from inside the truck, even if you get into the back of your truck there is no manual handle to allow one to open the hatch.
What a really poor design Toyota.
Anyone else in very cold weather notice this item?
The hatch on my 2008 4Runner is the one item i really hate, and even with all the things i do like about my 2008 $Runner it just might be the reason i sell it.