How to Open Your Trunk When the Latch and Remote Both Fail

You're standing behind your car, groceries in one hand, pressing the trunk button on your key fob over and over. Nothing. You try the trunk latch itself. Still nothing. Now what? When both your trunk release and remote stop working, you're not just dealing with a minor annoyance you could be locked out of important cargo, emergency supplies, or even a child's car seat. Knowing how to open a trunk when the latch and remote both fail is one of those car skills that feels unnecessary until you desperately need it.

The good news is that car manufacturers have been required to include emergency trunk releases since 2002, and there are several other ways to gain access. Let's walk through each option, starting with the simplest and working toward the ones that take more effort.

Why would both the trunk latch and remote stop working at the same time?

It might seem like terrible luck, but there are common reasons this happens. The most frequent cause is a dead car battery or a dead key fob battery. Both your trunk latch and remote depend on electrical power the remote sends a signal, and the electric trunk release receives it. When power is gone, neither works.

Other times, the trunk latch mechanism itself gets stuck or corroded. This can happen from moisture, age, or a broken internal spring. If your electric trunk release has stopped working and the latch is physically jammed, you can learn more about diagnosing a trunk latch that's stuck closed.

A blown fuse is another frequent culprit. Your trunk release system runs on a specific fuse, and if it blows, the electric mechanism won't respond at all.

What should you try first?

1. Check your key fob battery

Open your key fob (most have a small slot or seam you can pry open with a flathead screwdriver or coin) and look at the coin battery inside. If it looks corroded, old, or you haven't replaced it in over a year, swap it out. A CR2032 battery costs a few dollars at any hardware store and fixes remote trunk problems more often than people expect. If replacing the battery doesn't help, you may want to troubleshoot your trunk latch not responding to the remote more thoroughly.

2. Use the physical key

Most key fobs have a hidden metal key blade inside. Pull it out and check if your trunk has a keyhole. Many sedans and coupes have a small key cylinder on the trunk lid itself, even if you've never noticed it. Insert the key and turn. This bypasses all electronics and directly engages the mechanical latch.

SUVs and hatchbacks may not have a separate trunk keyhole, since the rear hatch lock often doubles as the trunk entry point.

3. Fold down the rear seats

If you can access the cabin of your car, try folding down the rear seats. Most vehicles have a release lever or button near the top of the rear seatbacks, either in the trunk area or accessible from the rear doors. Once folded, you can reach into the trunk area and manually release the latch or grab your belongings directly.

Check your owner's manual for the exact seat-fold mechanism. Some cars require pulling a strap inside the trunk, which won't help if you can't get into the trunk at all. Others have releases accessible from the rear passenger area.

4. Try the interior trunk release button

Many cars have a trunk release button or lever inside the cabin usually on the driver's side door panel, on the center console near the gear shifter, or on the dashboard. If your key fob isn't working but the car battery still has power, this interior button might still work since it runs on a different circuit or trigger.

What if the manual emergency release inside the trunk isn't working either?

Federal law requires a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle inside every trunk made after 2002. If you can access the trunk from the rear seats, look for a glowing T-shaped handle or pull tab. But what if that release is broken or stuck? This happens more than you'd think, especially on older vehicles where the pull cable corrodes or the plastic handle breaks. If you suspect your emergency manual trunk release has a problem, you can follow these troubleshooting steps for a non-functioning emergency release.

Can you open the trunk from under the car?

On some vehicles particularly older models you can access the trunk latch mechanism by reaching underneath the rear of the car. This involves locating the trunk latch cable or linkage from below and pulling or manipulating it manually. It's not comfortable, and it doesn't work on every car, but it's worth trying if other methods have failed.

You'll need to get on the ground and use a flashlight to find the cable running from the latch area. A long screwdriver or coat hanger can help you pull the cable. Be careful not to damage any brake lines or fuel components while you're under there.

Should you remove the trunk lock cylinder?

If your trunk has a keyhole that won't turn or seems jammed, the lock cylinder itself might be the issue. In some cases, you can remove the lock cylinder from outside the trunk. This typically involves:

Removing any trim or cover around the lock cylinder (usually held by clips or small screws)
Unbolting or unscrewing the cylinder from the trunk lid
Once removed, you may be able to manually trigger the latch mechanism with a screwdriver through the hole left behind

This method varies widely by make and model. It's more of a last resort before calling a professional.

When should you call a locksmith or mechanic?

If you've tried the key fob battery, the physical key, folding the rear seats, and the interior release button with no luck, it's time to call for help. A mobile locksmith can often open a trunk in minutes using professional tools without damaging the vehicle. Expect to pay between $50 and $150 depending on your location and the complexity of the lock.

A dealership can also help, but they'll usually need the car towed to their shop if you can't drive it there, which adds cost. A local mechanic might be a middle-ground option especially one familiar with your car's make.

Common mistakes people make when their trunk won't open

Forcing the trunk latch. Hitting, kicking, or forcing the latch can bend the mechanism and make the problem worse and more expensive to fix.
Ignoring the key fob battery. People assume it's a bigger problem when a $3 battery swap would have solved it.
Not checking the fuse box. A blown trunk release fuse is a five-minute fix if you know to look for it. Your owner's manual will show you which fuse controls the trunk.
Forcing the key into a frozen or corroded lock. If the lock is frozen, use a lock de-icer spray or gently warm the key before inserting it. Forcing it can break the key off inside the cylinder.
Not knowing about the rear seat fold-down option. Many car owners have no idea their rear seats fold down until someone tells them.

How to prevent this from happening again

A few simple habits can save you from this frustration in the future:

Replace your key fob battery every 12 months, even if it seems fine.
Keep a spare physical key somewhere accessible not locked inside the trunk.
Lubricate your trunk latch mechanism once a year with white lithium grease to prevent sticking and corrosion.
Check your trunk fuse during regular maintenance to catch a blown fuse before it strands you.
Know where your rear seat release is and test it occasionally so you're not figuring it out under pressure.

Quick checklist when your trunk won't open

Replace or check your key fob battery
Try the physical metal key blade in the trunk keyhole
Press the interior trunk release button inside the cabin
Fold down the rear seats and access the trunk from inside
Check the trunk fuse in your fuse box
Look for the glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release inside the trunk (if accessible from rear seats)
Try manipulating the trunk latch cable from underneath the vehicle
Call a mobile locksmith if none of the above works

Keep a small flashlight, a flathead screwdriver, and a spare key fob battery in your glovebox. Having these three items on hand makes every method above easier when you're standing in a parking lot with both hands full and a trunk that won't budge.