2000 Kia Sportage Rear Hatch Problem

I have a 2000 Kia sportage and today I went to open the rear hatch, or rear door whatever you call it, and when I went to pop open the spare tire, I pulled on the latch and it wouldnt open. There is that small piece that you pull and the spare tire will pop away from the door, well it wont open. I see that when you pull the latch piece, it pulls on a cable that pulls on something at the bottom, but I am not sure if that piece is the problem or maybe the cabel is the problem. Can anyone help here?

I have no idea on how to open this thing.

I have a 2000 Kia sportage and today I went to open the rear hatch, or rear door whatever you call it, and when I went to pop open the spare tire, I pulled on the latch and it wouldnt open. There is that small piece that you pull and the spare tire will pop away from the door, well it wont open. I see that when you pull the latch piece, it pulls on a cable that pulls on something at the bottom, but I am not sure if that piece is the problem or maybe the cabel is the problem. Can anyone help here?

I have no idea on how to open this thing.


The cable pulls an arm that sometimes jumps over the latch that releases the spare tire carrier.

You can get in there with a large screwdriver and push on the lever that release the spare tire carrier.

I have relaced the cable several times for breakage also.

The cable pulls an arm that sometimes jumps over the latch that releases the spare tire carrier.

You can get in there with a large screwdriver and push on the lever that release the spare tire carrier.

I have relaced the cable several times for breakage also.

now is it the cable that is broken, or is it just not making contact with the latch?

the cable at first looks like it broke, but after I examined it a bit, it looks as if the cable is short and stops after it reaches the latch.

So would I need to replace the cable or replace the latch or just reposition it?

now is it the cable that is broken, or is it just not making contact with the latch?

the cable at first looks like it broke, but after I examined it a bit, it looks as if the cable is short and stops after it reaches the latch.

So would I need to replace the cable or replace the latch or just reposition it?


First you have to get it open. I always like to replace the cable. They are prone to breaking and seizing up making it difficult to move the cable.

Cables are pretty inexpensive.

alright, well I still havent gotten it open. I looked closely at the latch and I see when I pull on the handle, it pulls the cable against something that moves about less than a half an inch.

does that spare tire come off with the door closed? If I can get that off I might be able to see better.

Any suggestions?