Hi Everyone, happy new year.

I am having issues with my rear tailgate hatch on my 2006 4Runner. I have read through multiple threads with a similar issue and I do believe it is my lift gate latch. I can hear the actuator but it doesn't release.

I have take off the rear trim, opened up the plastic portion and removed the white plastic cover on the latch. Now this is where the problem begins.

I know how to replace the latch, however no matter how I mess with the two levers I am unable to get the tailgate to release. I have sprayed wd40 on the latch from the outside and tried multiple different ways to get it released. I have in addition made sure that all the doors are unlocked, and disconnected the battery. I just can't get it open.

If someone could shed some light on what I am doing wrong that would be greatly appreciated. If I can get the tailgate open, it would be easy to fix the rest of it.

Thanks for your help!

Try having someone pushing in on the hatch while you pull the levers, it could be something is binding the latch so it can't release because of undue pressure, pushing in on the hatch may help it to release.

Ok thank you I will give it a shot, hopefully this gets it open
Its been frustrating

I had a similar issue and had to tie the lever in the open position then sat down in the back and kicked the door open from the inside.

Ok thanks for the responses. I will give these methods a try bunch of snow here today so may have to wait a couple days before I am able to try it.

Thank you I will keep you all posted.

Before you pull the latch spray it with brake clean and then silicone. If you can hear it actuating I bet it's just gummed up with dirt and grease and not opening completely.

Good morning,

Still struggling to get this open.

Maybe I'm not moving the levers in the correct direction? I am pulling the small lever up and the big lever downwards.

Am I doing this correctly or no?

Thank you

I believe I ziptied the levers together from the inside and then used the hatch handle on the outside and that worked for me

Sometimes its helpful to get a visual. This guy says pull them both up around the 4 minute mark

TOYOTA 4Runner HATCH TAILGATE LATCH REPAIR - won't open - YouTube

can't seem to get this thing open no matter what I do
might have to take the plunge and have the dealer fix it