With Advanced Keyless Entry System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.5] .)
Remove the following parts:
1. Liftgate upper trim (See LIFTGATE UPPER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Liftgate side trim (See LIFTGATE SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
3. Liftgate recess (See LIFTGATE RECESS REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Liftgate lower trim (See LIFTGATE LOWER TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Press in the latch lever of the liftgate latch and lock actuator using a flathead screwdriver, and set it to the latched condition.

Fig 1: Pressing Latch Lever Of Liftgate Latch
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Install the wire to the liftgate striker and the latch lever, and secure the liftgate with it half opened.

Fig 2: Installing Wire Liftgate Striker And Latch Lever
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the cap using a remover tool.

Fig 3: Locating Liftgate Garnish Cap
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the bolt from the liftgate garnish.

Fig 4: Locating Bolt On Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the fasteners from the liftgate garnish in the order of the pins, guides shown in the figure.

Fig 5: Locating Liftgate Garnish Fastener
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the nuts in the order of (1), (2), (3) and (4) shown in the figure.

Fig 6: Removing Nuts From Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the positioning pin from the liftgate garnish.

Fig 7: Removing Positioning Pin From Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Adhere protective tape to the area shown in the figure.

Fig 8: Applying Protective Tape On Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Insert the hard-plastic remover tool in the position shown in the figure.

Fig 9: Inserting Hard-Plastic Remover Tool On Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the hard-plastic remover tool in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and disengage the liftgate garnish clips from the T-studs on the liftgate side in the order of (1) and (2).
CAUTION:
- When disengaging the T-studs, always use a hard-plastic remover tool being careful not to apply surplus load to the T-studs. If the flathead screwdriver is used when disengaging the T-studs, the T-stud unit installed on the liftgate side may be damaged.
Disconnect the connector.

Fig 10: Locating Connector On Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Insert a flathead screwdriver wrapped in protective tape into the positions shown in the figure as far as the clip root.
NOTE:
- To facilitate the procedure, insert the remover tool into the gap between the liftgate and the liftgate garnish and visually verify the clip positions.
Fig 11: Rotating Flathead Screwdriver On Liftgate Garnish
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Rotate the flathead screwdriver wrapped in protective tape in the direction of the arrows shown in the figure and disengage the clips from the liftgate in the order of (1) and (2).
CAUTION:
- If a clip being installed to the liftgate is damaged and left installed to the vehicle, it could cause abnormal noise. If a clip installed to the liftgate garnish has been damaged, remove it and replace it with a new one.
- Always detach the liftgate garnish clips with at least one other person holding the liftgate garnish. Otherwise, the liftgate garnish may fall and damage the vehicle body.
Press the tabs in the direction of the arrows shown in the figure and remove the grommet.

Fig 12: Pressing Grommet Tabs
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the liftgate garnish.
Install in the reverse order removal.