Is it just mine Outie, or is it all of them. For the rear-lift gate, not the hold-down, I have to kind of use some strength to close it in order for it to close properly. If I just close it slowly down, it would just close, but not secure. Is it just mine? Or does other Outlander does the same. Thanks

 

Mine is the same. I always use min force when I close my doors, but the back hatch takes a little more. When I first got the car I would think I "closed" it but the car still showed open.

 

It requires a pretty solid push/hold to get it to close completely. One thing you might try is to look at the round rubber bumpers on each side inside the hatch where the tailgate hits when you close. they are threaded and can be screwed into the body a bit. Makes latching a bit easier.

 

I just went out and tried mine several times and it really doesn't take a lot of force for it to close and latch. In fact I can close it about 3/4 way down, then give it a little extra push while taking my hand off it and it closes and latches.

Besides adjusting the rubber bumpers is it possible that the latch mechanism on the door and body can get mis-aligned making it harder to close? For example if the door were leaned on while open could that cause a mis-alignment.