What to Do When the Trunk Won't Close?
2 Answers
Solutions for a trunk that won't close: 1. There might be foreign objects stuck in the trunk latch; simply clean the latch thoroughly. 2. The trunk lock hook may be damaged; it needs to be repaired or replaced with a new part if necessary. 3. The spring rod might be too stiff; replace it with one that has moderate stiffness. 4. The car key might not have been taken out of the car. Some vehicles, for the safety of passengers inside, won't allow the doors or trunk to close if the key is still inside. Refer to the specific car manufacturer's manual for details. 5. If the trunk still won't close due to other reasons, take the car to a 4S shop or a repair shop for inspection.
Last time I encountered this situation was after a trip to IKEA, where I stuffed too many large items and deformed the trunk lid. It's recommended to first empty the trunk and try closing it again. If it still pops open, check the latch area for any foreign objects—common culprits include phones falling into gaps or coins getting stuck. Use a flashlight to inspect the hinges for any breaks. Many cars nowadays use hydraulic struts for support, and oil leakage from the struts can result in insufficient tension. For older cars, rusted steel cables are a common issue, which requires removing the interior trim panel to fix. If you can't resolve it yourself, temporarily securing it with wide cross-strapped tape is the safest option. Last time during rain, I relied on this trick to make it to the repair shop. Avoid using ropes to tie it down as they can come loose and flap against the rear window at high speeds.
