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Yes, it's 3M, heavy duting, packaging tape. 

 

The tape is very sticky and because it's a 90 degree angle between the body and handle, you need to keep the tape from touching the body and handle at the same time to minimize the separation.  You will not be able to use the putty knife to press against the seperation if the tape is adhered to both the body and handle as the tape does not stretch.  It took me a few tries to push the handle towards the body to minimize the seperation while holding the putty knife against the tape and not having the tape touch both the body and handle until the gap is minimized.  Perhaps, a second set of hands would help.

 

The key though is to lift the handle up when opening the hatch and not to pull out on the handle when opening.  Not doing so, is likely why the tab broke in the first place.  So, given this, the tape is holding up. 

 

Edit: also, there are slight curved surfaces involved.  After a few attempts, a couple of shorter tape strips is easier to apply than one long strip per side.  There are less wrinkles in the two short strips.

Very much appreciated the thorough explanation.  Will be giving this a try until I can either fork $500 or find another way to fix it. 

IMO, for a foot or so of tape, the handle now appears solid and it should mitigate the likelihood of additonal plastic tabs breaking.  My wife and I are also now careful not to jerk the hatch open.

 

Here's how you get to the 4 bolts that hold the handle in place.

Trim 1.JPGTrim 2.JPGTrim 3.JPG

Very much appreciate you posting these, will be very helpful to me.  

So let me see if I got this right, you just applied a good heavy duty clear packing tape to the handle and body and by using a putty knife to first press agains the separation and then to the rest of the body and it's holding up for you. ? 

Thanks for posting your solution. 

Wondering how difficult it is to remove the trim and trying something more permanent through there. 

Having the exact same problem. Darn handle coming off the right side, been asking family members to be careful lifting it gently thinking in time I was going to fix it by taking off the trim off and tighten up some screws.

Anybody thought about reaching out to Ford for a covered service replacement?  

I'm out of warranty but thinking they may still cover such a poorly design flaw.