I just picked up my 2007 RX today and still figuring out the thing works. I have been able to open the hatchback from the inside button along with teh key FOB, but according to the manual I should be able to open it from the outside with a handle on teh door. There is a switch like thing just above the rear license plate but it does not feel like any other vehicle I have operated. It looks like an old piece of leather and is hardish? Anybody else had issues with this switch?

 

There is no handle on the rear hatch, the old hard rectangular piece of leather above the license plate that you are referring to is the rear hatch open/close switch.

To open the rear hatch manually, just press it and pull the hatch outwards by about 5-6 cm, and the rear hatch should open automatically the rest of the way.

To close the rear hatch, there is a rectangular piece of leather about 6 x 4 located on the edge of the rear hatch that you press, and the rear hatch should close automatically.

 

Your comment "To open the rear hatch manually, just press it and pull the hatch" - that is the problem. There is nothing to press. Should there be a switch just above the license plate? I can feel it depress slightly but there is no solid feel to it. I need to look at another one and see what it has.

 

the rubber cover fails check ebay for LEXUS Trunk Hatch Lift Gate Switch Latch Release Button Rubber Cover https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/sis.html...72.m2749.l2658


2 screw hold it on and the switch is behind it

 

Is that rubber switch above the license plate suppose to open the hatch manual or automatically? I know the keyfob will open it automatically.

 

That rubber piece was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

switch behind the rubber is for manual operation. push it and lift the hatch as was done in the old days

 

I also think you need to have all four doors unlocked to manually open the liftgate.

 

i think the above post is correct, all doors must be unlocked and the gear shift in park to open the hatch auto or manually

 

+1 This. All doors have to be unlocked for you to be able to manually open the rear hatch.

The switch for popping open the rear hatch is located under the rubber cover above the license plate. It will not work if the doors are locked and you will not be able to be able to depress it.

 

I bough the new rubber piece and replaced last night. The old one was really deteriorated and removing was like removing a ball of tar from the switch. It was a mess! After scraping for about 30 minutes I got most of the rubber removed and covered the switch with the new rubber piece. It is back to working like normal but that was a mess. My hands were black and covered with tar-like rubber. Ugh - but thanks!