I have a 1997 Explorer and one day had it backed into my garage, with the hatch up. I have to move the car a few feet and thought I had clearance to to leave the hatch open. Well, I didn't and the latch clipped the edge of the raised garage door. Ever since that incident the latch was a little loose and had to be handled carefully but firmly in order to release the door or window. One day someone at the car wash tried to force it when it was locked and now it doesn't open at all.
I'm sure I can go to the Ford dealer and for a small fortune they'll open it and probably want to replace the entire hatch door. Has anyone else run into this problem? Is there any way to open the hatch in the first place so that I might have a try and open the inside panel and checking it out?
Thanks!