Rear Lift Gate latch

[David Toth]

Same problem here mine is automatic, in past every time I close tha liftgate with the key, once it close it makes a click noise that's how I know it's properly closed. I noticed yesterday the ajar message on my dashboard. So. Investigate and find out that there is no more click after I close the gate with the key.. If you slam the gate manually the ajar will go away. The problem is that, why would I do that if this this is a feature that I paid for ! Another problem is, if this does not close properly the light will remain on and the next day your battery will be dead. I called the dealer and they said that the have no appointment available , I said because you have no appointment available I will not jump start the care every morning. Not acceptable. Honestly this Carcost me so much money allready that I am verry sceptic all about this whole car . Mostly there are little things but, really annoying. As the take my time away from work and trip to dealer that are not efficient. If anyone has fix for this latch problem please post it on this forum so I can save another trip to dealer. Seem like every time I have issue with this car it cost me at least one day of my vacation, b

ecause they will take their sweet time whille I am waiting . Even simple thing like oil change wil take up to 2 hours.....

THE WORKS !!!!

I have 10 am appointment now is noon and they have not even looked at the car. :( really annoyed with the service they said your car is next.

[David Toth]

I have 10 am appointment now is noon and they have not even looked at the car. :( really annoyed with the service they said your car is next.

Another vacation day wasted at ford dealership

[David Toth]

I have 10 am appointment now is noon and they have not even looked at the car. :( really annoyed with the service they said your car is next.

the finaly agreed and wil replace the lock strange thing I have also noticed that it is made of plastic yo would think that lock would made of metal but it is not

Also it turns out that this whole thing has something to do with pressure in the car I was trying to demonstrate this problem at the dealer whille they were watching but it was fine. Later I gave up and left. Vent to grocery store. Tried open the gate again this time the ajar statesd on so it works with the window open but not with closed window my question is what has changed in the year I own this car.

[gnardie]

Hello all,

 

After losing my 12 V battery (the battery that starts the car) last month to what now appears to be a liftgate ajar issue, I want to emphasize that there is a TSB for this issue with Ford.  Take it to the dealer.  I will quote an earlier post  "TSB 12-12-6,  LIFTGATE DOES NOT POWER CLOSE OR THE LIFTGATE AJAR LIGHT IS ON

 

Fix is to adjust the stop bumpers."  At my dealer this cost me $120.  Super annoying.  Ford knows about these flaws, avoids a recall, knows the fix is quick and easy, and still makes a profit off of them.  

[plus 3 golfer]

Hello all,

 

After losing my 12 V battery (the battery that starts the car) last month to what now appears to be a liftgate ajar issue, I want to emphasize that there is a TSB for this issue with Ford.  Take it to the dealer.  I will quote an earlier post  "TSB 12-12-6,  LIFTGATE DOES NOT POWER CLOSE OR THE LIFTGATE AJAR LIGHT IS ON

 

Fix is to adjust the stop bumpers."  At my dealer this cost me $120.  Super annoying.  Ford knows about these flaws, avoids a recall, knows the fix is quick and easy, and still makes a profit off of them.  

Attached is the related TSB.  This TSB has been around for quite some time and available on the internet.  IMO, you should only go to the dealer if you are under warranty as the adjustment is simple.  Why spend $120 at the dealer for a 5-10 minute easy fix.

14-0070.pdf

Edited October 11, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer

[Tom]

My 2013 C-Max's manual lift gate will not unlock when the key fob buttons are pushed either for all four doors or the tail gate one.  I can hear a click but no unlocking. 

If I push down on the door just below the rear window the tail gate unlocks.  Took it to my dealer who could replicate the problem but no quick fix. Dealer wants to install a new lock at $500.00!  A lot of money.

 

Any thoughts?

[Tom]

My 2013 C-Max's manual lift gate will not unlock when the key fob buttons are pushed either for all four doors or the tail gate one.  I can hear a click but no unlocking.
If I push down on the door just below the rear window the tail gate unlocks.  Took it to my dealer who could replicate the problem but no quick fix. Dealer wants to install a new lock at $500.00!  A lot of money.

Any thoughts?

[Zathrus]

My 2013 C-Max's manual lift gate will not unlock when the key fob buttons are pushed either for all four doors or the tail gate one.  I can hear a click but no unlocking. 

If I push down on the door just below the rear window the tail gate unlocks.  Took it to my dealer who could replicate the problem but no quick fix. Dealer wants to install a new lock at $500.00!  A lot of money.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I had the same thing happen about the same time last year (beginning of winter), and was shocked when all the dealer had to do was lube/spray latch. Problem has been gone ever since. He said it was not uncommon for latches to get "sticky" in cold weather. Don't know what lubricant they use, but I remember they used a lot of it because I was wiping lubricant drippings for several days afterwards.

 

You also might want to check/lube the black spring bumpers on the inside edges of latch.

Edited November 30, 2017 by Zathrus

[Tom]

Zathrus,

 

Your solution worked like a charm!  Thank you.

 

Tom

[m. heinlein]

Liftgate will not open with remote.  diagnostic fee of $189 told me it was 'jammed'.   Anyone else with this problem and solution?

 

 

 

4189

[Lacienega]

I had that problem in the first years until I adjusted the Latch myself. It was very annoying but now everything is good. There are these 2 liftgate stoppers on each side of the body....I got them a little loose and pulled them far out..then closed the liftgate. After that I retightened the stoppers in the position they were. Also loosened all the lock parts and pulled the door from inside to a locked position and retightened the screws. I have the manual liftgate though.

[vcfvct]

On 5/7/2013 at 3:00 PM, Mr T said:

There is a TSB just put out regarding the auto close rear hatch on the SEL.  When all windows & doors are closed the rear hatch would not fully close showing an "ajar" reading on the dash.  Was due to pressure inside the car.  Dealer thought there was no adjustment to the lower hatch lock but apparently there is.  Took back to Ford after waiting a month for results and adjustment was made per Ford Hot Line Team.  If you are still having problems contact your dealer and have them research the TSB, sorry I don't have the # FINALLY!

I found exact same issue with my powered liftgate, which only close properly if the door or window is opened even just a little bit. I guess it has something to do with the pressure inside the car as you mentioned. If we power-close the rear-hatch when doors/windows are all closed, then the "ajar" shows up on the dash.  Also manual-close work fine each time.

 

Do you still remember how you got this fixed?

 

Thank you!

[Ip8nts]

I tried adjusting the striker on the body thinking it was to far in and the hatch just could quite grasp. Consequently also adjusted the hatch latch out for the same reason. When I had the striker in my hand I held it up to the hatch and noticed the rubber bumpers didn’t seem to allow for these pieces to make a solid connection. So I filed em down some. It worked briefly. And shut, latch engaged and locked. Yea. No a new issue. It started popping open while the customer was driving down the road. 
so now I’ve got both pieces in my hand I notice looking into the lock mechanism that when locked it’s barely hanging onto the edge. So you got the striker the hatch closes onto. That piece curls around the striker then another piece acts like a kick stand and springs into a notch thus locking this latch. 2 issues. 1 these pieces are plastic. 2it would appear in the stamping process making the housing that they’re a Cunt hair to far apart. Basically the kick stand needs to be closer so it grabs more meat and not barely the edge. Since these pieces are stamped together I assume Ford made millions of these and just going to buy another may result in the same issue after some time. The two I did I put the lock mechanism in my vise and squeezed the locking end slightly bending the latch making the two pieces closer together.  
success. 
I waited a month before writing this. And honestly had forgotten until earlier today when the First Lady sent me a text thanking me for taking the time to fix the issue. Not just throw a band aid on it and pass her off. Hmmmm I wonder if fords hiring. Seems they use someone like myself. Anyway. Good luck and thank you guys 

[Falcon Frank]

  Same problem here. It closes but bounces back from latching, so I doubt it's a tight air situation. Any other car I have had, had adjustable rubber stops. Apparently C-Max has solid hard rubber stops.