Tailgate won't latch without shutting in numerous times.

Press door unlock switch in car or on remote to release the lower tailgate, even if the hatch is open.

you have to make sure the strikers are lined up to the latch. The latches get dirt in them and dont move easily. You may have to remove the latches and clean them and grease them up make sure the action is working. There is a spring on the latch if it is broken you will have to replace the latch. Make sure as you before you shut the tailgate the the latches on the tailgate are open and not latched closed. You can put a screw driver in the latch and pull the handle and that should release the latch in the position ready to accept the striker when you close it Next make sure the plastic clip retainers are not broken on the handle

Tailgate/trunk latch will not engage so the tailgate just bounces won't close - is there something I can do to fix this on my own?

Do you live in a dusty area? My sister lives in dusty New Mexico and had a malfunctioning XUV tailgate. My reasoning was that something must tell the tailgate not to drop down if the glass is up, and if it can't tell, then it will only open sideways.
So we removed the trim panel, and the tailgate was indeed full of dust. By reaching my arm in, I found two plastic optical sensors which tell the gate whether the glass is up or down; both were coated with dust. After cleaning these the tailgate was back to its normal operation. The two sensors are flat, round - about the size of a nickel or dime...I couldn't see them, just found them by guessing that they must be there. Hope this helps!

take it to a body shop or dealership

under the carpet installed on the tailgate door, there is a hole. put a screw driver in it and manually flip the latch open, to start.
yjen take the door panel off, one screw with the interiro handle, and pull the rest off,
watch the auto release slidw side to side, you will find a broken piece here, I made an extension piece with a plastic hook and screw, works fine for over a year, lube all latch parts with wd 30 once opened.

Hi all,

I had the same problem onmy dad's Jeep KJ (Cherokee/Liberty) so i went ahead and unbolted the tailgate handle;

First you need to take off the plastic inner tailgate cover (doh), then carefully pry away the the black liner and you'll see 2x 10mm hex nuts, unscrew both. Then on the latch outer side of the tailgate remove the upper 2 torx screws, then loosen one of the clamps of the connecting rod between latch and handle.
While pulling out on the handle (needed to clear the mechanism from the sheetmetal) you'll be able to carefully remove the complete doorhandle assembly.
There's still one wireloom attached to the handle, this is the culprit, It's the little actuator switch that's need liberal amounts of lubricant such as WD40 or similar.
I actually removed the switch and pushed it several times to full stroke after i lubricated it, then reconnected it and presto! The rear window unlocked every single time by means of the doorhandle instead of using the wireless remote...

Easy fix, done in half an hour. Saved you $ 300 on parts and labour

Good luck!

Nathan ter Stege (the Netherlands)

I have the same problem all the time. Dirt gets caked in mine and gets stuck. I usually just pound on it or slam it shut several times to knock the dirt loose. Be rough with it.

latch the locks and trick the door in thinking it is shut. then once you are done pull the handle and relase the latches before you close the door.

there is a safty switch in the latches that keep the window from working unless the door is shut.