The black rubber hatch latch cover is heat sensitive. In summer it sort of melts and my fingers get sticky black stains. In winter cold it becomes so rigid that There is no way to press in the release the hatch again until the spring thaw. I have to lower the back seat to gain trunk access. It began about the second year I had the car (bought new in Sept 2006.) When I asked the dealer if I could replace the faulty cover, he said I would have to buy an entire new latch mechanism for hundreds of $$$.