For the 2nd time in a 2 year period - May 2013 & August 2010 our rear hatch handle has just come off in our hand while trying to normally open the hatch. It's a manual open hatch, not a power-open hatch. Donley's Ford Dealer in Galion, OH said the hatch handle replacement would be over $200. But in August 2010 we found one in an auto recycling dealer for cheaper price. Took that to a local repairman. They were able to retrieve the cable for the original handle by going thru the inside back of the hatch. They reattached the handle to the cable at that time. I saved the other handle for any future problems.

So the handle worked okay for the 3 yr period, but did the same thing - came off in our hand. This time, I'm so aggravated w/it, that I push it out of my mind rather then even have it repaired. I cannot physically open my rear hatch neither from the inside nor from the outside. Not convenient, when I'm used to opening the back for groceries or grandkids' soccer/t-ball games etc.

In the first place, it comes off the cable....so has that problem been addressed at Ford? Plus in the 2nd place, w/the handle off- there is NO way to open the back hatch even from the inside. Is this not a safety issue also?! So frustrated w/ no handle on my hatch - only 2 open holes showing on my vehicle.