I have a 1998 Cherokee. I closed my rear hatch today and now it will not open. I tried locked and unlock positions cant get it to open. Is it possible to remove the panel with out damaging it to get in side the door?

 

The plastic on the inside rear should reviel the latch if removed

 

Mine did this the other day and I had someone try to open it while I kicked it a few times from the inside and it came open.. Took some WD-40 to the latch and soaked it and it works great now

 

Just sharen' a story. I waz at the JY, after a rear hatch gasket. Target Jeep waz on-top of another car, up a bit in the air. Rear hatch waz locked closed.

JY helper guy got up in there, pulled the interior pannel out, pushed the latch, and opened it in three shakes of a lambs tail.

If pushing in, or parking with one or the other rear wheel on a hump doesn't let it free, you also might might need to pull the inter panel. There is plenty on search there, but I doubt you will find my "twist the frame" trick!

 

Happened to me a few weeks back. I held the handle up while giving it a smack with my other hand.
Try this:
Also, you'll probably have to open up the rear hatch panel and re-adjust the striker. It's a simple fix, I did it and it took all of 15 minutes.

 

well I tried the kick the hatch from the inside method and it popped open. I'm guessing it got jammed and just didn't latch properly or something like that because it opens and closes perfectly fine now. Thanks for your help guys!