With Power Tailgate

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Pilot, 2010 Honda Pilot, and 2009 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Put on gloves to protect your hands.
If the tailgate latch can't be unlocked by using the keyless entry transmitter or the inside/outside tailgate switches, remove the maintenance lid (A) from the tailgate lower trim panel, then turn the emergency lever (B) clockwise as shown below.

Fig 1: Identifying Maintenance Lid & Emergency Lever

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure (see BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION ), then wait at least 3 minutes before beginning work.
NOTE: If you remove the tailgate latch while the negative battery cable is still connected, the power tailgate control unit goes into the fail-safe mode.
Remove the tailgate lower trim panel (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - TAILGATE AREA ).
Disconnect the tailgate latch connector (A) and the actuator connector (B).

Fig 2: Tailgate Latch Connector, Actuator Connector & Bolts With Torque Specifications

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Remove the bolts (C, D), and pull the tailgate latch (E) out, then remove it.
Install the latch in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

Make sure the connectors are plugged in properly.
Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure (see BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION ).
Make sure the tailgate opens properly and locks securely. Adjust the tailgate (see ADJUSTMENT ), if necessary.
If the tailgate is in fail-safe mode, reset the power tailgate control unit (see RESETTING THE POWER TAILGATE CONTROL UNIT ).