2005 Grand Caravan rear hatch release dont work

I have a 2005 Grand Caravan that has the manual unlock button above the license plate under the lip with the lights. Ive only been able to get that button to unlock the hatch a couple times, otherwise Im always having to use the key hole to unlock it. Is there something Im doing wrong or what? Does not have this option on key fob, or power hatch.
Thanks for any help.

P.S. Also curious what all the plastic built in hooks are for on the backs of all my seats...

Hooks? My guess is you hook plastic or cloth grocery bag handles on them so they aren't loose and floating around the back of the van.

This may seem too obvious, but are you sure the van is unlocked when you try opening the hatch? I have to hit the unlock button on my key fob twice (once for the driver's door and once more for all the other doors) before I can open the rear hatch.

The built in hooks are for cargo nets.