NHTSA Complaint #10513040 — 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE

I OWN A 2006 CHEVY TAHOE THAT I JUST BOUGHT IN FEB. UP TILL NOW I HAVE LOVED IT. MY REAR LIFT GATE/HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK IT, STILL IT WOULDN'T OPEN. SO I CLIMB INSIDE TO TRY AND FIND A MANUAL RELEASE BUTTON OR HANDLE, I FIND NOTHING. I DECIDED TO PULL OUT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND LOOK IT UP. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ACCESS THE REAR HATCH IS FROM THE KEYLESS REMOTE THAT UNLOCKS IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SEVERAL REASONS. A CRASH, BE IT A ROLLOVER, HEAD ON, FIRE OR IF I PLUNGE INTO WATER, YOU CAN'T GET OUT THROUGH THE REAR ACCESS. THE LATCH/LOCK IS BROKEN AND THOUSANDS OF GMC/CHEVY OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. NOW I CAN'T HELP OUT WITH TAKING MY WHEELCHAIR BOUND GRANDMOTHER TO AND FROM HER DOCTORS APT AND HER ERRAND RUNS. THE LATCH COSTS $400.00 TO REPLACE. JUST SO THAT IT GOES OUT AGAIN?? I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. IT'S A DEFAULT MECHANISM THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD FIX. *TR