'2020- Current Explorer / How To Manually Open Liftgate Latch:

[katmandude]

Before we start there is a very important obstacle you might want to consider:
IF you ever have to do this task, the 3rd row seats in the up position will make it almost impossible, as they will only power down with the liftgate OPEN (for your safety of course!).
Or else you will have to contort your body flopped half upside down over the seats confined there with a lighted mirror...Good luck !
A dealer can computer force command the seats down but don't count on them knowing how to open the latch...my dealer techs were clueless.
Afterwards, I did find in a 2022 factory service manual that shows image how to manually open the latch IKEA furniture style so...

First and foremost make sure dash fuse #8 and under hood fuse #41 are good ...and seated (all this could of been avoided, my #8 fuse simply was not making contact!)

Here We Go:

#1 There is a removable trim panel on the hatch panel at the latch. Pry it out.
#2 Locate the Cinch Pin thru the hole in the hatch and press it in until it bottoms out, then release it.
This mechanically releases the motor from the latch...




#3 Locate the Manual Latch Unlock Lever thru the lower left slot in the latch boot (yes there is an actual slot there).
Insert pick or small screwdriver thru boot into the lever, put pressure on and slide it to the LEFT (passenger side), and at the same time PUSH OPEN THE HATCH
Note: The lever is spring loaded so it will return back to locked if your tool slips off






Here is the motor/latch assembly cinch pin depressed without the hatch door and latch boot in the way...
and a clear view of the release lever directly below it.. see the tiny slot in it's right side





And the pick inserted in that right corner of the lever




The lever held in the (left) unlocked position

 

[GearHead_1]

Thank you, good info that no doubt will come in handy.