Lift gates are mechanisms on the backs of sports utility vehicles that allow the rear door to raise in a slow, mechanized fashion. Opening them from the outside is easy -- you just pull on a handle located above the license plate and the back door should open like any other door. However, sometimes these lift gate mechanisms become jammed or you may become trapped in the car and need to open it from the inside. This will require the removal of a few parts on the rear interior of the car and may vary on different models.
Sitting in the back of the vehicle, remove any plastic or paneling around the back hatch with a screwdriver. This will have to be reinstalled, so take care not to bend or crack the interior plastic when prying it loose.
Slide your hand into the area that used to be covered by the plastic interior pieces. Lift up the rod that is connected to the lock mechanism. By lifting this you will effectively unlock the hatch. Push on the lift gate to open.
Spray the rod with WD-40, as many times this lift gate's rod just isn't lubricated enough, keeping the lift gate from operating properly. Reattach the plastic covering inside the sports utility vehicle.
