I have a 2003 kia sedona that has a rear hatch that will not open. Any way to remove a panel to access to repair.

It might take two people to see what is not happening that should be happening. Have one person on one side of the hatch operate the key or open handle and you stay on the other side of the hatch with the inner panel off and watch the mechanism. There is probably a broken tab on the actuator or a rod has come off of the actuator.

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There should be small pressurized cylinders on each side of the hatch that hold it open. When these get worn they do not have the pressure to hold the hatch open and need to be replaced.

Inside the rear tail gate hatch should be a small access panel. Remove the access panel so you can manually open the rear hatch by grabbing the small metal rod linkage. They put this access panel so if the door motor actuator goes bad you can still open the rear hatch. After you open the rear hatch manually by the linkage rod. Remove the entire inside hatch trim panel so you can see all the inner workings of it and self diagnos. It sound like the electric door motor actuator has gone bad. This is pretty common for any GM product. Hope this hopes.

Hi, I answered this question once before. Did you see this answer?
have 2003 Kia Sedona Minivan with 2 problems rear panel window which vents...

The struts that are used to hold the hatch open are gas filled units and there is no way to repair them. The only solution is to go to an auto parts store and buy replacement struts.

remove the interior panel

This happened to me, I removed the interior light fixture on the rear hatch and reached in to pull the connecting rod, this works for an one off opening, you will need to take the panel off once the hatch is open and repair your outer handle, our connection was broken at the handle which I repaired and it works great. Hope this helps.

you don't. take it into a Hyndai Dealership and have the handle repaired/replaced. The rear hatch panel/cover has to be removed (from inside the vehicle) to access the hatch latch and open the door.. from that point the handle can be replaced/repaired.

Ok no problem.You should be able to unbolt or unscrew the whole taillight assemblely.You may have to open the back hatch to gain access.Most vehicles that have a rear hatch or doors only have 2 bolts or screws holding them in and they are useually on the inboard side.Let me know if this was of any help.