Ok my Rear Hatch won't open on my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee it's not locked, tried that. I need to replace it anyway and unbelievably the hatch I wanted at the junkyard was stuck closed too. I'm cursed.

 

This is an issue for XJ as well. You either get lucky and have it open normally, or push on the hatch around the handle as you work the handle and hope it opens, or remove the interior panel which is a PITA if the hatch wont open. Why it is stuck could be the latch binding from dirt, or the lock rod popped off the clip, or the clip is broken. Or the lock actuator (if you have power locks) is dead or frozen. Either way, you need to get inside. IF you do manage to get it open, do not close it again until you get the latch and rod working again. Try it all out before closing it again to make sure it is working.

 

Just found this. I did not realize the entire license plate housing came out on a ZJ.

 

So is that video showing us how easy it is to break into a ZJ? LOL.

 

Push hard on the area right above the handle as you pull it. Try it a bunch of times maybe even get someone to push as you pull the handle. I had to do this a few times on my XJ I was afraid I wouldnt be able to get it open to fix it.

Worst cause you can cut/break/bend the plastic inside the vehicle to again access to the mechanism

 

You can fix this with a small zip-tie to attach the rod. I did this two years ago and it is still holding.