A rear door assembly includes a rear opening and a roof structure having a recessed area. A carrier is movable along a portion of the recessed area between a rearward location to a forward location. A motor is attached to the carrier and the vehicle. The motor is operable to move the carrier relative to the roof structure and the rear opening between the rearward location and the forward location. A rear door has a hinge pivotally supported to the carrier for movement therewith. The rear door is movable between a door closed orientation covering the rear opening, an intermediate orientation partially exposing the rear opening and a door open orientation exposing the rear opening. A linear movement device has a first end attached to the carrier for movement therewith and a second end attached to the rear door at a location spaced apart from the hinge.