2011 Jeep liberty rear hatch will not unlock and open

Removing the interior door panel is probably the only way.

Try maybe banging it from inside or have someone push it from the inside while you work the key from outside. If the actuator is broken...unfortunately our esteemed colleague was right, removing the interior panel is the only way.

I have the same problem when the temperature is below freezing it will not open. When standing at the rear hatch, and pressing the unlock button I do not hear the lock working. I took the interior panel off today and there was duct tape over the locking mechanism. Also found water leaking out of the Wiper motor housing.

There is a small emergency release inside behind a cover tin he shape of a guitar pick just a bit bigger you'll see a white plastic part inset a phillips into the white plastic part and turn it doesn't feel like it's doing anything and while you do that you pull the outside liftgate handle and viola

Justin, I did a search for my jeep and came across this answer that you gave would just like to say thank you very much you save me a ton of money by someone telling me I need to replace my locks or something what you said in your answer solved the problem.

Ok, what if the little white plastic part is broken?!

You cannot remove the door panel unless the door is open. The unlock feature does nothing when turned with a screwdriver while pulling the latch. The only option I see is to cut the plastic panel open near the lock but then what do you do? You cannot access the lock removal screws because they are at the bottom of the door. I will never ever buy a Jeep or Crysler product again because of this stupid engineering.