Question: I was bringing in the groceries from my car and accidentally locked the keys in my trunk. Is there a way to open a Honda Civic trunk if I don’t have the key?
Answer: Locking your keys in the trunk can be really stressful—but try not to worry. We may be able to help you open the trunk on your Honda without the key. Worst case scenario, you’ll need to call a locksmith or visit a Honda dealership.
If your Honda is unlocked but the keys are in the trunk
It will likely be much easier to get into your trunk if you can access your Honda’s main cabin, so check the doors first thing. If the doors are open:
Try the trunk release button
The trunk release button is usually found on or near the driver’s side door. Just pull the lever and your trunk will pop open.
If this doesn’t work, check whether you’ve previously disabled the trunk release button by opening the glove box and turning on the main trunk switch. Unfortunately, if the glove box is locked, you won’t be able to access the switch.
Pull the emergency trunk release handle
Most Hondas have an emergency release handle for the trunk that you can access from inside the car.
- In a Honda Civic, check for a small panel behind the back seat on the driver’s side. Remove this panel by either prying it off with your fingers or popping it up with a flathead screwdriver. The trunk release handle will be behind the panel.
- In some Hondas, you can fold down the back seat, reach into the trunk, and pull the emergency release lever. It’s usually bright orange or yellow so that you can easily find it. Note that some models require you to use a key to fold down the seats.
- You may also be able to lower the arm rest in the back seat to get access to the trunk and the trunk release handle.
If you don’t have a trunk access panel and can’t fold down the seats or the arm rest, you may have one last option—try sliding a long pole or stick between your back seat cushions. If you can snag the trunk release lever, you may be able to pop the trunk open.
If these quick fixes fail, avoid using DIY solutions to pick your lock—you can easily damage the door mechanism or trunk lock, and fixing these will likely cost a lot more than what you would have paid for locksmith services or a new key.
If your Honda’s doors are locked and you don’t have the keys
Unfortunately, your options are somewhat limited if you’ve shut the keys in the trunk and your car doors are locked.
Contact a locksmith or roadside assistance
If you can’t unlock your car, consider calling a professional. Many automotive locksmiths will come to your location to unlock your vehicle, so you won’t need to worry about a tow.
If you have a roadside assistance plan with a company like AAA, you can contact them instead. Locksmith services are usually included in a roadside assistance plan, so you may not have to pay out of pocket if you’re already a member.
Visit a Honda to get a new key
Bring your vehicle registration and ID to the nearest Honda dealership and ask them to cut you a new key. Once you open the trunk, put the new key somewhere safe so you’ll always have a spare in case this ever happens again.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
