99 E320 wagon, 155 K in a road-salty place, Adirondack Mtns. Hatch has gotten sticky before, lubrication fixed it, but this time just after loading for a trip the hatch closed hard and I didn't hear the self-closer working normally; but it was tightly closed until we reached an overnight destination, when the hatch would not open. The lifting handle moves freely without operating anything inside. Same with the inside release lever. Now it occurs to me it may be the Central Locking system not unlocking that latch.
But repeated locking and unlocking, using the infra-red as well as radio key, does not change the situation.
Finally it occured to me to try the manual key. Can't get it in the cylinder. Icy and perhaps corroded. Will warm that up and spray it and try it tomorrow, meanwhile any ideas?

At the same time having trouble with a rear seatback latch. Broke the handle trying to release that one and now have to get in back to tear the seatback down and release it. Those seatback latches have been working hard. Should I have sprayed some lithium grease in there in hope of loosening them up?

 

What did you find out? Mine is doing the exact same thing.

 

Hmmm. Doesn't seem like there's a lot of help offered here.

I just bought a '94 e320 wagon and the rear door hinges and more are rusted to the point of one side coming out.

Do anyone have information about a repair for this?

Dean.