In this video I go over what is becoming more and more of an issue with this generation of Escapes due to the poor lift gate glass seal leaking rain water into the latch and electronics in the lift gate. I go over the cause, how to gain access, diagnosis, and of course repair.

 

Here are the latest part numbers as many have requested-
Latest Liftgate Glass Weatherstrip ALL Years- BL8Z-7842084-C
Latest Latch and Actuator Assembly 2008- 8L8Z-7843150-B
Latest Latch and Actuator Assembly 2009-2012- 9L8Z-7843150-B

 

I have watched your great video on fixing the liftgate latch on an 09 XLT, but I have a bad liftgate latch switch on my 08 XLT. Cannot figure how to remove and replace it. Switch is in a plastic trim molding just below the window and above the license plate. Removed the four nuts from the studs that appear to come from the trim molding, but cannot move it. I don't want to break the molding, but can't figure out how to get the switch out without removing the trim molding. Ideas and help wanted...

 

Excellent video!
Also, earlier models of the escape have the same issue with water and access is done the same way. Shrinkage of the weather striping opens the seam at the bottom of the window near the latch for the glass.

 

As I mentioned in my earlier post, to access the liftgate latch SWITCH, the trim molding on the 2008 Escape that is between the license plate and the bottom of the rear window has to be removed. After removing the four nuts on studs from the molding, I cannot figure how to remove it without breaking the two plastic clips that also seem to be retaining it. Anyone with any thoughts would be much appreciated!!!!

 

If you mean the portion where the handles are, mine was held in place with the bolts and 2 sided foam tape as a sealant for weather. If I recall correctly the bottom pops out first.
You need to carefully pry the assembly loose to remove it. My '02 had a broken hatch handle.

 

Thanks for the response, but I am not sure I made my problem clear. So I'll take another shot at it with a picture of the part after it is removed. The part is on ebay and is a good illustration of what I think is the plastic clip that is holding the molding on to the liftgate. Look at this link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131536979693?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT double-click on the picture and go to the seventh out of 11 views of the molding. Note the white plastic fastener that projects below the molding between the window switch and the license plate light. That fastener needs to have the fingers that form a "V" collapsed against the center post in order to remove the molding. I don't think this process is simple or easy, note that the plastic clip on the opposite side is not present and probably was broken off in disassembly. Do you know how to collapse the clip enough to allow it to pass through it's hole in the liftgate? Is there a tool or do I try to use two screwdriver blades to collapse the "V"