I've found to get it to latch properly, fold the seat up, as you try to latch it. Then the slamming and bashing of it is not needed and it clicks right in..
Agree 100% and why would you go to all that hassle to make and link that whole huge thing, and eat up all that space. Gove me a damn knob or button on the dash and be done. $4.00.
My 2013 had the same issue with spring assisted tailgate. There are many products on the market. I got this one for $50.
https://www.ride88.com/product-page/tailgate-boss
I was bummed to have them deleted, but quickly got over it when I really thought about it and realized the only time I'd use it was to show friends. Or the once in a blue moon: "wow much does that weigh??"
Sure, but when you add "bike rack carrying, surf fishing gear hauling, and all the rest", as op suggests, you will lost those, and have to turn off front sensors at each start. Bluecruise not available either? Maybe? Dunno..
There are software updates for sensors. I had it done. Works 99% better now. I had a front sensor that was nutty, software update fixed it 99% of the time. Took 2 hours.