Can't close the Tailgate

I have a '95 Ford Ranger and the tailgate no longer latches. The moving piece doesn't clear the hole in the fixed post in order to latch. No matter what I try to do, I can't seem to get the damn thing to latch. What could be causing this problem?

Something didn't release I would remove the screws and pull the cover and look. It just may need lubricated or something maybe broken.

Mine does that too, along with other problems. I will never buy a Ford again.

My 98 just started doing that this summer. The problem was in the stoppers on the tailgate itself, they were not allowing the latches to reach the truck bed so i grinded them down a little, this helped a lot but it is still a little bit touchy, needs to be pushed from one side fairly hard to get it to shut, hopefully this will help

My 98 just started doing that this summer. The problem was in the stoppers on the tailgate itself, they were not allowing the latches to reach the truck bed so i grinded them down a little, this helped a lot but it is still a little bit touchy, needs to be pushed from one side fairly hard to get it to shut, hopefully this will help

sorry, it doesn't need to be pile drived to get shut, you just have to push it shut, somewhat strongly, all the way untill it latches

Just like everything else, the tailgate needs a littl maintenance. Keep the latching (stationary and moveable) clean and well lubricated. Check all the way around for alignment problems. Since the tailgate are designed to be easily removable, check the two hinges on each side for loosenes.