Bad Trunk Latch Symptoms

What Is the Trunk Latch?

It isn’t your vehicle’s biggest or most complex part, but the trunk latch contributes to everyone’s road safety merely by closing the trunk lid and keeping it shut. Most latches last as long as your vehicle, but they can wear out earlier before their expected service life ends. Fortunately, a faulty latch might display symptoms that you cannot miss, although it might also fail without warning. So when you ask yourself “Why won’t my trunk close?”, check the trunk latch for problems.

A faulty latch might display symptoms that you cannot miss, although it might also fail without warning.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Trunk Latch

The trunk latch is tough, but not indestructible. Years of use will eventually degrade its components, especially if you have the habit of slamming the trunk lid closed or often drive it over rough road surfaces.

It’s high time to replace your vehicle’s trunk latch if it shows any of these symptoms:

Door Ajar Warning Light Switches On

The door ajar warning light will illuminate whenever one of the doors opens. You can usually find the warning light on the dashboard.

Some door ajar warning systems also monitor the trunk lid. If a bad trunk latch prevents the trunk cover from locking, the open lid will trigger the warning light.

Trunk Won’t Close

Does your vehicle’s trunk lid pop up after you close it? Or does the cover refuse to lock no matter how hard you slam it closed or hold it down? If the trunk latch won’t close, you’re dealing with a bad latch.

Mechanical trunk latches and electronic trunk latches will have different potential reasons for not locking the trunk lid.

A mechanical trunk latch contains tumblers and springs that work together to engage and disengage the lock. When a tumbler or spring dries up or gets damaged, it can fall apart, get stuck, or refuse to move.

If your vehicle uses an electronic trunk latch, a bad solenoid might be preventing your trunk from closing. Electronic latches rely on opening or closing an electric circuit to operate their locking mechanism, and the solenoid serves as the control switch for the circuit.

It’s sometimes possible to repair whatever went wrong with the trunk latch. But expect to replace the entire part in most cases.

Trunk Won’t Open

The trunk cover might refuse to open, even after you insert the key or press the unlock button on the key fob. This can happen because of a bad trunk latch that cannot unlock itself.

More About the Car Trunk Latch

These are the parts that make up the typical trunk latch:

• The trunk latch itself
• Striking mechanism
• Mechanic release for mechanical trunk latch designs
• Electronic release for electronic trunk latch designs

When you close the lid, the trunk latch and striker plate lock together. You unlock the latch with a key in mechanical types or press a button to send the right signal to the electronic types.

Trunk latches can be mechanical or electronic. Each type locks and unlocks the trunk lid in a different way.

Mechanical Trunk Latches

These are the earliest type of trunk latch. They use mechanical force generated by a spring to release their locking mechanism.

A tumbler system serves as the mechanical trunk latch’s security system. Each trunk latch includes a cylinder with a series of internal tumblers and an insert for the key. The tumblers will only allow the correct key to go all the way into the insert. Turning the fully inserted key will move the latch, allowing you to lock or unlock the trunk lid.

Mechanical trunk latches appear in vehicles made on or before 1995.Many newer models with electronic trunk latches will also include a manual key insert as a backup. If the electronic locking system fails, you can still unlock the trunk lid by using the key.

Electronic Trunk Latches

An electronic trunk latch doesn’t have its mechanical predecessor’s tumbler-based system. Instead, the newer latch type relies on a solenoid that can open and close an electric circuit, which in turn operates interconnected motors and sensors that lock and unlock the trunk.

There are two ways to operate the electronic trunk latch. Your key fob will usually have a button that locks or unlocks the latch. If you’re inside your vehicle, you can usually find a similar button on the dashboard. Other possible locations include the center console or the glove box.

Electronic trunk latches first appeared in 1996. Most vehicles built during and after that year will have them.

What Does the Car Trunk Latch Do?

The trunk latch controls access to the vehicle’s trunk. It lets you open the trunk lid when you need to load or unload something. It also keeps the trunk cover locked in the closed position, even if the trunk’s unsecured contents hit the lid while rolling about.

The trunk latch also deters thieves from breaking into the trunk or entering your vehicle’s interior through the rear.

Why Should You Replace A Bad Car Trunk Latch Immediately?

A faulty car trunk latch compromises your vehicle’s road safety and security. If it leaves the trunk lid unlocked, anything inside the trunk might fall out while you’re driving. Not only do you lose something valuable, but the driver behind you might end up having to dodge whatever tumbles out of your vehicle’s rear. Thieves will also find it easier to steal the items in the trunk or even your entire vehicle.

On the other hand, a bad trunk latch can jam the trunk lid closed, stopping you from moving things in and out of your vehicle’s trunk. While an electronic trunk latch mitigates this problem by giving you a mechanical backup latch that can unlock the trunk, you should replace a bad car trunk latch as soon as possible.

How Much Does a Replacement Trunk Latch Cost?

A new car trunk latch can go for as low as $20 and as high as $150. The price varies because of factors like the product’s brand, with some manufacturers producing more expensive components.

Where to Find a New Trunk Latch for Your Ride

Once you’ve confirmed that your trunk latch has failed, replace it with a new one right away. Here at CarParts.com, we have a wide array of replacement trunk latches sold at unbeatable prices.

Navigating our website is easy, and shopping for high-quality yet affordable parts takes only a few clicks. Simply use our vehicle selector to check for fitment, and toggle our search filters to shop by brand or price range.

What’s more, is that you don’t have to worry about the performance and reliability reliability of these parts. All products in our catalog are sourced from some of the top parts manufacturers today. Items are also vetted by our team of experts to ensure they meet our high standards for quality.

Check out our selection, and order your new trunk latch today!