I just bought a used 2016 Dodge Journey limited (Canada) in March.
tonight my husband removed my tail lights to do work on them, the lift gate was closed to wipe the out where the tail lights go so it will be clean when they are placed back in. When he went to open the lift gate it wouldn’t open. Lift gate still makes the unlocking/locking sound but I don’t know if it’s actually doing either, there is no notification that the lift gate is open on the dash screen. We tried to open it manually by turning the white piece on the inside of the lift gate in the small access hole, which didn’t work and I don’t think it actually even turned bc it appears that the plastic piece may be split all the way down, thus not allowing it to turn correctly.
I now cannot properly attach my tail lights since I can’t open the lift gate. It also appears that you cannot take off the interior panel without possibly breaking the panel itself.
Anyone know what’s up?

Ps- the dealer I bought from is of course closed due to Covid, and I’m not sure what if any warranty would be on it from just getting it.

 

You should have an access hole in the panel to open the liftgate. If you have a power liftgate I would say the liftgate latch is causing your problem. Can you use the remote to open the liftgate?