NHTSA Complaint #10979882 — 2003 FORD ESCAPE

I HAVE A 2003 ESCAPE THAT HAS A INTERESTING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH. WHEN IT IS HOT OUT SIDE OR THE SUN IS SHINNING ON THE REAR HATCH THE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK,ALL THE OTHER DOORS DO. WHEN IT GETS DARK OR THE DOOR COOL DOWN THE NIT WILL UNLOCK WITH THE REST OF THE DOORS. OUR REAR HATCH. INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND THEN NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER LOOKING IN THE SEARCH ENGINE ON THIS FORUM, UNDER "REAR HATCH WON'T OPEN" I FOUND A POSTING LISTING THE PART # FOR THE SOLENOID ONLY, FROM AN AFTERMARKET SOURCE. (FORD MAKES YOU BUY THE WHOLE HANDLE AND ACTUATOR ASSY. FOR $200 OR SO). THE SOLENOID WAS $10 PLUS SHIPPING. INSTALLATION WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD EXCEPT THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE SOLENOID TO THE MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED AND THE WIRES SPLICED INSTEAD OF THE MODULAR PLUG ON THE STOCK ONE. IF YOUR NOT THAT MECHANICAL, YOU MAY WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO DO IT , BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME SKILLS, YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY! (IF FORD HAD PUT A FREAKING KEY HOLE ON THE REAR HATCH IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A BIG DEAL) SEARCH THE THREADS AND YOU WILL FIND THE POST FOR THE PART. HOPE THIS HELPS.