2004 XC70 tailgate latch problem

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 24 Apr 2025, 11:41

My 2004 XC70's tailgate has become difficult to open. Some of the time the latch does not release properly when pulling the lever on the tailgate. I have had problems in the past when the mat slides backward and gets wedged between the tailgate opening and the tailgate, which causes the latch not to release. Now it is doing something similar with the mat removed. Sometimes the release lever only works at the very limit of its range. Has anyone else encountered this before? What fixed it for you?

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 24 Apr 2025, 12:11

I would inspect condition of the latching mechanism. Sometimes small pieces can get into the receiving end(metal loop where the mechanis latches too). Inspect if no rust or foreign objects inside the mechanism itself and check its operation with manually locking the lock and then opening it with the door handle. If all smooth and no hiccups, check if there is adjustment on the receiving end. Maybe from years of use some bolts got loose.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 24 Apr 2025, 15:37

I have encountered the opposite: my latch would not latch. I would slam my trunk and it would just bounce. I'm not sure if this would help, but someone in the past said that hitting it with a wrench like a carburetor would fix it. Sure enough, it did... sort of. Worked for a few tries but didn't stay. I sprayed it with some WD-40 and wacked it and it's worked for a good week now.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 24 Apr 2025, 17:01

cmayo1 wrote: ↑24 Apr 2025, 15:37 I have encountered the opposite: my latch would not latch. I would slam my trunk and it would just bounce. I'm not sure if this would help, but someone in the past said that hitting it with a wrench like a carburetor would fix it. Sure enough, it did... sort of. Worked for a few tries but didn't stay. I sprayed it with some WD-40 and wacked it and it's worked for a good week now.

Wd40 would not last you long. Get yourself BG ion infused penetrating oil and spray locking mechanism. Use it like that for 1 week and apply ptfe(or other silicone) grease and it will last

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 24 Apr 2025, 17:32

Vova585 wrote: ↑24 Apr 2025, 17:01 Wd40 would not last you long. Get yourself BG ion infused penetrating oil and spray locking mechanism. Use it like that for 1 week and apply ptfe(or other silicone) grease and it will last

Deal. I was just in my trunk and it won't latch again. I'd rather invest money in something I can use more than once than replacing the latch.

6ark695 · Post by **6ark695** » 29 Apr 2025, 20:02

Hello,years ago I had the same problem,hard to open, I spayed wd40 to the latch and hand lever but the problem still there,so I removed the back door cover ,look inside and squeezed the hand lever to see which part is moving, and saw the flat spring had a friction contact with the rod unlock linkage,I greased Q-tip and smear it at the contact location between rod and flat spring ( the arrow ) and the problem solve still works til now , hope it helps..

Post by **scot850** » 30 Apr 2025, 08:31

There is a small spring inside the latch that can break. I had this issue with our 06 XC70 where the latch would not lock. I replaced the whole unit but ultimately out of curiosity I opened the unit up and replaced the spring. Unit is now on the shelf for a back up should it be needed.

As has been suggested, lubing might be the starting point in the process.

Neil.

SOURDOUGHJIM · Post by **SOURDOUGHJIM** » 13 May 2025, 06:12

Herb, I'm having the same issue with my '04 V70. Did you figure out exactly what the issue is? It feels like a stretched cable but it appears it uses a linkage rod and not a cable. Handle mechanism worn out?