This problem has been ongoing since the first cold weather in December of 2016. Today I was nearly hit by another car parking next to me. Having been unable to open the rear hatch to load my groceries, I was loading through the drivers side rear door. I could have been severely injured. My local dealer where I purchased my CRV was unable to help, since there are no service bulletins in the system. The mechanics in the shop were all well aware of this issue, but had no information or suggestions on how to solve or mitigate this problem.
I tried lubricating the latch with WD40 with no success. I tried a grease applied to the latch, also with no success. I guess that Honda is not interested in keeping customers, as no attempt has been made to re-design this latch since first reported in 2014. My car is kept in my garage and is not left out in the elements. I believe the rubber pad that is pressed to release the latch lock does not activate the electric switch when too cold to be pliable enough to reach the switch. As soon as my car warms in my garage for a few hours, it will work. Perhaps a re-design of the switch with a gum rubber pad that is more pliable would work.
This problem has been extremely frustrating, and now dangerous. If someone had the time to design this switch, why don't they have time to design a fix for it?
Update from Jan 14, 2019: I have tried another approach that seems to have solved the problem. I purchased a bottle of Adams VRT. It is formulated to protect and preserve vinyl rubber and trim exterior parts on automobiles. I cleaned the switch area, then applied a coating of the product immediately after trying to open the hatch unsuccessfully. The hatch opened after the second try. I coated the area again with a small amount of the VRT. The hatch opened immediately every time after that application. The hatch has opened successfully in every attempt since, in both warm and sub freezing temps. I plan to clean and treat this switch monthly with this product.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This problem has been ongoing since the first cold weather in December of 2016. Today I was nearly hit by another car parking next to me. Having been unable to open the rear hatch to load my groceries, I was loading through the drivers side rear door. I could have been severely injured. My local dealer where I purchased my CRV was unable to help, since there are no service bulletins in the system. The mechanics in the shop were all well aware of this issue, but had no information or suggestions on how to solve or mitigate this problem.
I tried lubricating the latch with WD40 with no success. I tried a grease applied to the latch, also with no success. I guess that Honda is not interested in keeping customers, as no attempt has been made to re-design this latch since first reported in 2014. My car is kept in my garage and is not left out in the elements. I believe the rubber pad that is pressed to release the latch lock does not activate the electric switch when too cold to be pliable enough to reach the switch. As soon as my car warms in my garage for a few hours, it will work. Perhaps a re-design of the switch with a gum rubber pad that is more pliable would work.
This problem has been extremely frustrating, and now dangerous. If someone had the time to design this switch, why don't they have time to design a fix for it?
Update from Jan 14, 2019: I have tried another approach that seems to have solved the problem. I purchased a bottle of Adams VRT. It is formulated to protect and preserve vinyl rubber and trim exterior parts on automobiles. I cleaned the switch area, then applied a coating of the product immediately after trying to open the hatch unsuccessfully. The hatch opened after the second try. I coated the area again with a small amount of the VRT. The hatch opened immediately every time after that application. The hatch has opened successfully in every attempt since, in both warm and sub freezing temps. I plan to clean and treat this switch monthly with this product.
- markhertel, Klamath Falls, US