1999 Chevy Suburban V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles

Doesn't fit into any of your categories, but my rear tailgate is jammed closed, and I can't open it to replace rear lights.
It appears to have been slammed shut so hard the gate is past flush with the rear of the car.
The handle feels like it is not catching on anything. It is the tailgate type with the half window that opens up, while the tailgate drops down flat.