JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY MONDEO MK 3 TAILGATE. TOOK THE LOCK OFF AND FOUND THE RELEASE MOTOR HAD STUCK IN THE UNLOCK POSITION (ARM IN). MANAGED TO GET IT FREED OFF(ARM OUT) AND PUT SOME 3 IN 1 OIL ON IT . THE RELEASE MOTOR IS THE GREY PLASTIC BIT .
2439MICK
February 2009