What to do if your car trunk wont close?

If your trunk won’t close, start by checking for obstructions and ensuring the latch aligns with the striker. Don’t force the lid—if it still won’t latch, inspect for worn or damaged parts and call a professional or roadside assistance.

Common causes of a trunk that won’t close

Understanding the typical culprits helps you target the fix without guessing or risking further damage.

• Obstruction or misalignment of the latch or striker, often from spilled items, luggage, or luggage straps.


• Damaged, bent, or corroded latch or striker components that fail to engage properly.


• Debris, rust, or grime inside the latch mechanism that prevents it from catching.


• Electrical or power-trunk issues, such as a faulty release switch, wiring, or fuse problems in cars with automatic or remote-operated trunks.


• Swollen weather seals or frame misalignment caused by impact or temperature changes.

Conclusion: Most closure problems stem from obstructions, misalignment, or worn components that can often be addressed with cleaning, realignment, or part replacement.

Troubleshooting: steps you can take at home

The following steps are designed to diagnose and remedy common, non-critical issues without specialized tools.

• Open the trunk and inspect the latch and striker area for visible obstructions, grime, or corrosion.


• Check that the trunk is fully opened, level, and aligned with the car body to ensure the latch can engage.


• Gently attempt to close the trunk from the center, avoiding slamming or forcing the lid; listen for the latch engaging or a sound of resistance.


• If your car has a manual release or emergency lever (often accessible from inside the trunk), test it with the trunk open to confirm it operates normally.


• For powered trunks, inspect the electrical connections at the tailgate and the fuse box for blown fuses or loose wires, if you have safe access to do so.


• Clean and, if needed, lightly lubricate the latch using a small amount of penetrating oil or white lithium grease—wipe away excess to prevent staining the paint.

Conclusion: After cleaning, realigning, and testing, reattempt closing with steady, even pressure and verify the latch engages securely.

Electric or powered trunks: additional checks

Vehicles with automatic or remote-operated trunks have extra failure modes such as sensor faults, motor wear, or control module issues.

• Check the trunk release fuse and control modules recommended by your vehicle’s manual; replace fuses as needed.


• Reset the trunk system by turning the ignition off, waiting a moment, and trying again, or re-synchronizing with the key fob if your model supports it.


• Inspect the wiring harness at the tailgate for loose connectors or damaged insulation; avoid handling electrical components while the battery is connected.


• If the motor or latch doesn’t respond consistently, consider professional inspection, as electronic components can fail without obvious external signs.

Conclusion: Electric trunks often fail due to fuses, motors, or sensor issues; many problems resolve after a reset or simple fuse replacement, but stubborn cases require service.

When to seek professional help

Some closing problems go beyond quick fixes and warrant expert diagnosis to prevent further damage or safety risks.

• The latch, striker, or surrounding bodywork is visibly bent, cracked, or severely corroded.


• You cannot achieve a secure latch after cleaning, lubrication, and alignment attempts.


• The trunk will not stay closed or re-engage after repeated attempts, or you hear unusual noises during operation.


• Electrical issues persist after checking obvious fuses and connectors, or you notice a burning smell, melting plastic, or arcing sounds.


• The trunk is part of a broader electrical fault in the vehicle (e.g., a dead battery, blown fuse affecting multiple systems).

Conclusion: Persistent closure failures or any signs of damage or electrical fault warrant a professional assessment—don’t drive with an unsecured trunk.

Safe, temporary considerations if you need to transport items soon

When immediate closure isn’t possible and you must move items, prioritize safety and security. Do not drive with an open trunk. If you must travel, arrange for towing or roadside assistance to a repair facility, and consider securing items with appropriate transport methods until a fix is completed.

Summary

A trunk that won’t close is usually caused by obstructions, misalignment, or worn latch components, with electrical or seal issues as possible culprits. Start with a calm inspection: clear debris, verify alignment, test any manual or electric release, and clean or lubricate the latch as appropriate. If basic troubleshooting doesn’t restore closure, or you observe damage or electrical faults, seek professional service. For safety, never drive with a trunk that won’t stay shut, and use roadside assistance or a tow to a shop when needed.

What causes a trunk latch to fail?

Several factors can contribute to this issue, such as a faulty lock actuator, damaged lock mechanism, or problems with the key fob or central locking system. Diagnosing the cause requires a thorough inspection of the locking components and electrical connections.

Why is my car trunk not closing?

A car trunk that won't close is often caused by an obstruction, a misaligned striker or latch, or a faulty latch mechanism. First, check for any physical obstructions, then try manually adjusting the striker or latch by loosening its bolts and repositioning it. If these steps fail, the issue could be due to a broken component, a faulty electrical signal, or a locked latch that needs to be manually reset. 
Step 1: Check for obstructions and simple issues 

• Clear the opening: Remove any objects in the trunk or anything blocking the closing path, including shifted rubber seals. 
• Manual lock test: See if the latch is simply in a locked position. Use a flathead screwdriver to flip the latch mechanism closed to test if it's functional. 
• Check the key fob: In some cases, a key fob left inside the trunk can prevent it from closing. 

This video shows how to check for obstructions and manually close the trunk latch: 59sXJ JesseYouTube · Jun 30, 2023
Step 2: Adjust the striker or latch 

• Locate the striker: Remove the interior trunk trim to access the striker, the metal loop on the trunk lid that the latch connects to. 
• Adjust the striker: Loosen the bolts on the striker bracket and adjust its position. Tighten the bolts once you find the correct alignment. This is a common solution for misalignment caused by vibrations or minor impacts. 
• Adjust the latch assembly: If the striker adjustment doesn't work, you may need to adjust the latch assembly on the car's body. Loosen the bolts on the latch, adjust its position, and then re-tighten the bolts. 

This video demonstrates how to adjust the trunk latch to fix closing issues: 57sBig Al RepairsYouTube · Jul 15, 2020
Step 3: Troubleshoot the latch mechanism 

• Reset the latch: If the trunk sounds like it is hitting something and won't latch, the internal mechanism may be stuck. Try using a screwdriver to manually reset the latch. 
• Lubricate components: Spray lubricant into the latch and striker to ensure they move freely and aren't sticking. 
• Check the release handle: Inspect the emergency release handle inside the trunk. Its cable could be snagged, which would prevent the latch from closing. Make sure the cable is free and not pulling on the latch. 

This video explains how to fix a stuck trunk latch mechanism: 1mPhillips VisionYouTube · Jan 27, 2023
Step 4: Consider replacement or professional help

• Worn-out or broken latch: If the latch assembly is worn out or a component has broken, it may need replacement. A broken plastic part or a faulty microswitch inside the latch can prevent it from closing properly. 
• Electrical issues: Damage to wiring, fuses, or the lock actuator could be the cause. A professional can diagnose and repair electrical problems. 
• Professional service: If you've tried the above steps and the problem persists, take your car to a mechanic. A professional can perform a more thorough diagnosis and make necessary repairs, such as replacing the latch assembly. 

You can watch this video to learn about common trunk latch issues that may require replacement: 1mXJ JesseYouTube · Feb 9, 2022

Can you manually close an automatic trunk?

Yes, you can manually close an automatic trunk, but it's often recommended to first disable the automatic function to prevent damage. To close it manually, you can use the power close button on the key fob or inside the trunk, or you may need to disable the auto-close feature through the vehicle's settings before pushing the trunk down yourself. 
Before closing manually 
This video demonstrates how to disable the auto-close function on a Tesla Model Y: 1mDIY PintoYouTube · Feb 24, 2024

• Check for an "Auto Close Off" button: Some vehicles have a physical button inside the trunk to disable the auto-close function, allowing you to close it manually without it immediately starting to close automatically again. 
• Use the vehicle's settings: Newer vehicles may have a setting in the instrument cluster's message center or on the infotainment screen to turn off the power liftgate function. 
• Be gentle: If you don't disable the power function, do not slam it shut. Close it with moderate force to avoid damaging the motor and mechanism. 

How to close it

• Use a button: Press the close button on your key fob or the switch located on the underside of the liftgate. 
• Close it from the inside: If the trunk is open, you can usually find a power close button on the left side trim panel inside the cargo area. 
• Manually push it: If the power function is disabled, push the trunk down gently until it latches. You may need to push a little harder than usual, as the motor strike is designed to go a bit further than a manual one. 

How much to fix a trunk that won't close?

The trunk latch is responsible for closing the trunk lid and keeping it shut as you drive. A trunk that won't open or close and an illuminated door ajar warning light are telltale signs that point to a bad trunk latch. It can cost anywhere between $20 and $150 to replace a faulty trunk latch.