spare tire latch

We have a 96 sportage with the swing out spare tire, and something in the latch itself must be wrong. I cannot get the latch to release the spare to open the rear hatch. Has anyone had a similar problem? How can I even get the latch to release in order to service whatever has happened on the inside of the release mechanism? Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

The only way I have gotten this to work is to grab a long needle nose pliers and grab the cable and pull outward like the lever and not upward, this will cause a bind in the cable. If that don't work, your latch is messed up and you will need to use some wd-40 or equivalent and spray the sh** out of it. then work it loose. Try this and let me know.

We have a 96 sportage with the swing out spare tire, and something in the latch itself must be wrong. I cannot get the latch to release the spare to open the rear hatch. Has anyone had a similar problem? How can I even get the latch to release in order to service whatever has happened on the inside of the release mechanism? Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

Have you had your latch repaired yet? I have the same problem now and the repairman said that it would cost me $275.00. I don't feel like it is that much and I started to look on the net to find parts for it. If you have this problem solved, would you share it with me please. Thanks.

have you had your latch repaired yet? If you have, would you please share this with me. I have been searching the net to find parts for it. The repairman quoted a $275. charge to get this repaired. The price just doesn't seem right

Remove the spare tire to have easy access and inundate the latch with wd40 for a start. Obviously, it is either rusted or/and the cable is stuck/broken. I have removed the spare and carrier for the winter because it is a mess in the snow/ice .and I do not like to fight to either open it or close it....
BY the way, keep the money: there is a way around that problem
Here you see the lever that has to be moved to unlock the latch.
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2707a.jpg
THis lever on the car body is acted on by this one on the swing carrier:
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2708a.jpg
So you will have to exert pressure on this lever if the cable is unable to do it.
Another view here:
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2710a.jpg

Except fr the cable itself, I do not see much to be damaged there. IF I was caught with this problem, I'll go to a bicycle store and buy a brake cable for $3. and fix it to suit.

BTW, I just sent an e-mail to Zukster to ask for how it ended up with him.

I have had this problem also.
The pictures LMP shows are great.
The Problem I had was the cable would get stuck in the out position and the cable latch then gets stuck on the wrong side of body latch.
Long screwdriver to pry body latch open then lube cable well.
I also added a small spring over cable to help it return.

Hi guys, I'm having this problem too. The images that LMP has posted are no longer available, any chance they could be updated?

I have just updated the above links...

Thanks so much!