How to open trunk release button?

In most cars, you open the trunk by pressing the interior trunk release button, using the key fob, or pulling the exterior latch. If it doesn’t respond, check that the car is unlocked, the battery and fuses are in working order, and look for a manual backup release if your model provides one.

Where to Find the Trunk Release Button

Trunk releases are typically available in several convenient locations. Knowing where to look will help you open the trunk quickly in most situations.

• Inside the cabin: A button or switch on the driver's door panel, center console, or near the steering wheel, usually with a trunk icon.


• On the key fob: A dedicated trunk release button. Some models require a single press, others a press-and-hold or a double-press.


• On the exterior trunk lid: A release button or lever integrated into the handle area or behind a panel on the lid.

Note: Some vehicles require the doors to be unlocked for the interior release to function. In certain models, electronic releases may be disabled when the car is in gear or security modes are active.

Steps to Open the Trunk

Use these steps in typical situations. Start with the simplest method and proceed to alternatives if needed.

1. Ensure the car is unlocked. If the interior release does nothing, unlock the doors using the key fob or the driver's door.


2. Locate the interior trunk release button or switch, then press firmly or toggle as directed by your model.


3. If your key fob requires it, press the trunk button and either release or hold as specified by the manual (some models use a two-press sequence).


4. If there is no response, try the exterior trunk handle or latch to confirm whether the latch is jammed or obstructed.


5. If the trunk still won’t open, look for the emergency/manual release inside the trunk (often glow-in-the-dark) or use the mechanical key in the trunk lock if available.

Following these steps should open the trunk in most scenarios. If it still won’t budge, consult the owner’s manual for model-specific instructions or contact roadside assistance for help.

Model-specific variations

Some vehicles place the release in unusual spots or require special sequences. Always check your owner’s manual for the exact location and operation procedure for your make/model and year.

Fallback Methods When the Button Does Not Work

If the electronic release is not functioning, these backup methods can provide access while you arrange a repair. Use them only if you’re in a safe location and able to do so without damaging the vehicle.

• Exterior key or latch release: Use the physical mechanism on the trunk lid if your car has one, ensuring the car is in Park and unlocked before attempting.


• Manual emergency release from inside the trunk: If you can reach the latch, pull the emergency release handle to free the latch.


• Power/fuse check: A dead battery or blown fuse can disable the trunk release. Replacing the battery or inspecting the related fuse may restore function.

If these methods do not grant access, avoid forcing the latch and contact a professional technician to diagnose and repair the release system.

Safety and Maintenance Tips

Regular checks help prevent trunk release failures and keep you prepared for loading or emergencies.

• Test the trunk release from interior and exterior locations periodically to ensure reliability.


• Keep the emergency trunk release handle accessible and know its location in the cargo area.


• Inspect related fuses and battery power if the release becomes inconsistent or unresponsive.


• Replace worn or weak key fob batteries to maintain reliable signaling to the trunk release.

By staying proactive about maintenance, you reduce the risk of lockouts and ensure quick access when you need to load or unload cargo.

Summary

Trunk release mechanisms are designed for convenience and safety, offering interior switches, key fobs, and exterior latches. When a release doesn’t respond, verify unlock status, battery power, and fuses, and use any manual or emergency release as a backup. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for model-specific instructions, and seek professional help if the problem persists.

How do you open the trunk release button?

You can open the trunk using a button on the key fob, an internal lever or button inside the car, or a button on the exterior of the trunk lid itself. The most common interior button is located on the driver's side floorboard, near the dashboard, or inside the glove box. On the exterior, look for a small button or pressure sensor located on the rear of the vehicle, usually just above the license plate.
 
Interior and key fob options

• Key fob: Press the dedicated trunk button on your key fob. Some models require a short press, while others need you to hold the button for a few seconds. 
• Driver's side floor: Many cars have a lever on the floor to the left of the driver's seat. 
• Glove box: Some vehicles have a trunk release button inside the glove box. 
• Driver's door panel: You may find a trunk release button on the driver's door panel, near the window controls. 
• Check the owner's manual: If you can't find the button, consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the exact location. 

This video shows how to open the trunk using the key fob and the button inside the car: 55sAsk Jorge Lopez at Tomball FordYouTube · Feb 5, 2024
Exterior button

• On the trunk lid: Look for a small, unmarked button or pressure sensor located on the rear of the vehicle, often right above the license plate bracket. 

If the power is out

• Manual keyhole: Older vehicles may have a physical keyhole on the trunk lid itself. 
• Through the back seat: Some cars have a fold-down center seat or a pass-through that allows you to reach the trunk's manual release lever from inside the cabin. 
• Jump-start the car: If the battery is dead, you can jump-start the car and then use the regular electronic release methods. 

You can also watch this video to learn how to open the trunk from inside the car if there is a pass-through: 1mcar PROblemsYouTube · Mar 13, 2023
Emergency release (inside the trunk) 

• Glow-in-the-dark handle: Most modern vehicles have a mechanical emergency release lever inside the trunk, often made of a glow-in-the-dark material, for when you are inside the trunk. 

Can you open the trunk from the inside of the trunk?

Yes, you can open a car trunk from inside, either by using a manual release lever/button inside the cabin or by accessing the emergency release handle inside the trunk itself. Most modern cars have an interior release lever on the floor or in the glove box, and all cars made after 2002 are required by law to have a glow-in-the-dark emergency release handle inside the trunk for safety. If the car is older or the electrical release fails, you can often access the trunk by folding down the rear seats to reach the internal emergency release.
 
This video demonstrates how to open your trunk without a key by folding down the seats: 59sFixITYouTube · Jun 23, 2024
From the cabin

• Locate the release: Check for a button or lever on the dashboard, typically to the left of the driver's seat, or inside the glove box. 
• Use the key fob: Many modern key fobs have a dedicated trunk release button. 

From inside the trunk (emergency release) 

• Locate the handle: All cars made after 2002 must have a glow-in-the-dark emergency release handle inside the trunk lid. 
• Pull the handle: In an emergency, pull or push the handle to open the trunk. 

This video shows how to use the emergency trunk release handle: 32sCars.comYouTube · Jul 21, 2017
If you are locked in the trunk

• Fold the seats: If the rear seats are foldable, use the release mechanism inside the cabin to fold them down, crawl into the trunk, and pull the emergency release handle. 
• Access via the back seat: You may need to use the seat releases to fold the seatbacks down, then crawl into the trunk. 
• Check the owner's manual: If you cannot find the release, consult your owner's manual for the exact location of the release mechanism or emergency handle. 

This video demonstrates how to open your trunk without power by crawling through the back seat: 58sBimmerTechYouTube · Oct 2, 2020

Where is the release latch in the trunk?

The release latch is typically a glow-in-the-dark handle located on the inner side of the trunk lid, near the latch mechanism, as shown in this YouTube video. For vehicles without this, or if you are inside the trunk, a manual release lever or cable is often found along the floor on the driver's side, which you can access by lifting the carpet. Other release points include a button on the driver's side dashboard or inside the glove compartment.
 
You can watch this video to learn how to open the trunk without a key or dead battery: 36sFixITYouTube · Jun 23, 2024
From inside the trunk

• Glow-in-the-dark handle: Most modern cars have a luminous handle on the inside of the trunk lid, near the main latch. 
• Cable: In older cars, or as a backup, a cable is often routed to the driver's side of the trunk floor. You may need to pull up the carpet to find and tug it. 

From inside the car

• Dashboard button: There is often a button on the driver's side of the dashboard or center console that opens the trunk. 
• Glove compartment: Some cars have a release switch inside the glove compartment. 
• Key fob: A trunk release button is included on most car key fobs. 

This video demonstrates how to fix a stuck trunk latch: 58sPhillips VisionYouTube · Jan 27, 2023