Kia EV2: Opening and closing / Tailgate

WARNING

Exhaust fumes

Driving your vehicle with the tailgate left open or ajar draws dangerous exhaust gases directly into the cabin, which can cause severe health damage or fatalities for all vehicle occupants. If transporting oversized cargo requires keeping the tailgate open, open all windows and cabin fresh-air vents fully to maintain continuous cross-ventilation.

WARNING

Rear cargo area

Passengers should never be permitted to ride in the rear luggage or cargo compartment, as no safety seatbelts or restraint anchors are available there. To prevent catastrophic injury during sudden braking or traffic accidents, all occupants must always be seated properly with dedicated restraints.

Opening the tailgate

• When the tailgate is fully unlocked, you can open it effortlessly by pressing the exterior release handle and lifting the door upward.

• The tailgate automatically locks or unlocks in synchronization whenever you secure or unsecure all vehicle doors using your smart key fob or the central cabin door lock switch.

• Pressing and holding the dedicated tailgate unlock button on your smart key fob for approximately 1 second will unlatch only the tailgate. Once opened and subsequently closed, the tailgate will automatically re-lock, provided all other vehicle doors are already locked.

NOTE

In freezing winter conditions accompanied by ice, snow, or heavy moisture, the exterior tailgate release handle and latch mechanisms may temporarily malfunction or freeze shut.

WARNING

The tailgate swings upward and outward when opened. Always verify that no people, low ceilings, or surrounding objects are in close proximity before triggering the tailgate opening mechanism on your Kia EV2.

NOTE

Always ensure the tailgate is completely closed and securely latched before driving off. Operating the vehicle with an unlatched tailgate can permanently bend or damage the gas support struts and mounting hardware.

Closing the tailgate

To close the tailgate, pull it down using the dedicated interior grip handle and push it firmly into place, ensuring the latch mechanism engages completely and securely.

WARNING

Keep your hands, fingers, feet, and clothing clear of the door frame and pinch points before pulling the tailgate down to avoid accidental crushing injuries.

WARNING

Exhaust fumes

Always verify that the tailgate lid is securely closed and fully latched whenever your Kia EV2 is in motion. Leaving the rear hatch open or unlatched introduces toxic vehicle emissions into the passenger compartment, risking severe illness or death.

NOTE

To protect the delicate locking latch and striker components from misalignment or damage, ensure no luggage items, straps, or foreign objects are caught near the latch area when closing the tailgate.

Emergency tailgate safety release

If you ever need to unlock and open the tailgate manually from inside the luggage compartment during a power failure or entrapment scenario, follow these precise emergency steps:

1. Remove the small inspection cover panel located at the bottom center of the interior tailgate trim.

2. Slide the internal mechanical release latch firmly in the direction indicated by the arrow to disengage the lock mechanism.

3. Push outward against the tailgate structure to swing the door open.

   WARNING

   • In case of an emergency situation, make sure you are thoroughly familiar with:

     • the exact location of the emergency tailgate safety release lever inside your Kia EV2 luggage area

     • the correct mechanical procedure to force open the tailgate if someone is accidentally locked inside the cargo trunk

   • No human passengers or pets should ever be allowed to travel or sit inside the luggage compartment of the vehicle. The rear cargo area provides zero structural protection and is extremely hazardous during a collision.

   • Engage this emergency mechanical release lever strictly during genuine emergencies, and exercise extreme caution if opening the hatch while the vehicle is moving slowly.