lexus_mark

Anyone had any problems with the rear hatch not opening.
The hatch is unlock but will not open.

Shacky

I push down on the hatch while pulling the latch. That unsticks it for me.

lexus_mark

thanks i'll try that because just pulling it don't work.

salimshah

Caution:

Be gentle as you push the trunk/door/hatch down. I had the same problem and made it worse by pushing the hatch couple of inches below the license plate and caused dimple in the sheet metal.

I had to get the dealer to fix it.

When the trunk is locked and you squeeze the open/lift lever/handle, does the handle move without releasing or does it feel stuck. Ever since the dealer fixed the release, the hadle in lock position can be squeezed for me. Before that it could not be moved till I unlock the hatch.

Salim

Sooner

there is a tsb to fix this contact your dealer

CK1_RX3

Yeah, dealer just fixed this problem for me because it has been reported as a common issue with the RX... Hey, at least we don't have all the problems of the X5 and MDX right???!!!
ck

lexus_mark

I tried pressing down and pulling the hatch didnt work.
took it to the dealer. he order parts but the down side is it on national back order so i don't no when the part it going to come in. With out the hatch opening i can't change the tail light bulb thats out

HarrierRX300

I had the same problem with the trunk latch. Bring it back to Lexus. They'll change the locking mechanism for you as well. I do notice if I'm on a hill, the closing part, it makes a "klunk" when I close the trunk. Is this normal? Flat land is ok though.

Jonnystan

ya my house is on a hill and mine makes the same noise. Been doing it for months and never had a problem...i think it is normal.

parula

Take it to the dealer, they will fix it, there was a fix designed for this problem that worked ok on mine.

When they have it opened up (and the rear panel on the hatch comes off pretty easily), take 1" thick or so by 2" wab of softttt foam and place it between the small wire that amounts to your latch connector and the hatch door. Probe around and wiggle the mechanism you will see what rattles, at least mine did and I did it with the tech. THis will nicely keep the latch cnnector from rattling around, IMO it seems very "loosely" designed, even the tech. said that a was a great fix and the hatch was quiter.

When you close your hatch you noice an immediate improvement in the quiteness of the door with this remedy. It will sound like a new Honda door closing. Took a look at the new Honda Civic Si over the weekend and closed the doors. Then went home and closed the doors on my $35k Lexus. No comparsion IMO, the Honda was tighter!

furball

This seems to be an extremely old thread, but the 1999 RX 300 we have has this issue... The latch underneath doesn't even budge sometimes, and we have to try unlocking using the key remote a few times...

Does anyone have the actual TSB, TSB number, etc? Is it still active?

Any fix that we can do, or is it 100% dealer? (i.e. put grease on it, etc.)