If you’re having issues with your 2015 Lincoln MKZ’s trunk not opening, there is not one common cause to blame. There could be an issue with your trunk control module, latch, cable, lock actuator, or lock mechanism.

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What to do if your 2015 Lincoln MKZ trunk won’t open

If your trunk’s not working, the best course of action is probably to head to a local Lincoln dealer to get your problem figured out. But in the meantime, there is some troubleshooting you can do on your own.

Problems with the control module

The 2015 MKZ has a power-down and power-lift feature for your trunk. Some users that have faced any issues with their trunks have narrowed it down to a faulty control module.

For most 2015 Lincoln MKZ drivers, the trunk would only fail to open or close intermittently at first. The power-down feature would stop working reliably, and then the power-lift feature. Eventually, it stops working at all, regardless of whether you’re using a key or the trunk control button in your car.

Turns out, the 2015 MKZ has a strangely designed trunk. In addition to several motors controlling the trunk lid latch, latch release, and soft close features, there are four separate control modules located in the trunk light on the passenger side. If even one of these malfunctions, the entire trunk system can be compromised.

The best course of action when this happens is to go to your Lincoln dealer and get a replacement trunk control module.

Broken latch

The latch is what your trunk uses to close. It’s similar to the latch in your door. Your trunk has a connecting unit that attaches to a similar component on the car’s frame, so when you close it the two components latch together and seal the trunk securely.

If you notice that closing the trunk doesn’t seal it and it stays loose, there may also be a problem with the latch. This can also explain why the trunk isn’t opening, as the latch simply may have lost its ability to release the trunk. This will likely be a problem that occurs if you’ve had some kind of impact to the back of your car.

Damaged trunk cable

While the Lincoln MKZ does have an external release on the trunk, it doesn’t have any kind of handle—so you have to rely entirely on the key or a release button in the car to open it. This process uses a cable connecting the release or signal receiver from the key to the trunk latch itself. If this cable is damaged, you won’t be able to open your trunk.

Lock actuator malfunction

The lock actuator controls the lock on your trunk. Since it is a motor with shifting gears that determine whether your trunk is locked or not, any damage to the motor means your trunk latch will not work.

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Lincoln Navigator trunk space

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How to manually open a 2015 Lincoln MKZ trunk

The best way to fix any of these problems is to visit a Lincoln dealer or independent mechanic who can diagnose and fix the problem for you. However, in the meantime, there is a way for you to get in your car’s trunk if you really need to.

You may not be aware of this, but most passenger cars built after 2002 have been required to have a trunk release mechanism built into the trunk. Pulling on this can open the trunk in the event of an emergency.

The 2015 Lincoln MKZ has a similar trunk release. But how can you get inside the trunk if you can’t even open it in the first place? There’s a way to do it—but it is a little difficult.

You’ll have to start by folding over your rear seats. This is very easy on the MKZ. Just look at the top right and top left of your driver and passenger side rear seats, respectively, and find a panel latch. All you need to do is pull it up, and the seats fold forward.

You’ll then be able to see your trunk release lever—just pull on it and your trunk should pop right open. While this method may not work if you have cargo in your rear seats or there’s a lot of passengers, it will come in handy during an emergency. You can also use it for some extra storage if you need it.

Cost of trunk repair for 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Since there can be different causes for your trunk not opening, you can expect the needed repairs to vary in cost.

For a 2015 Lincoln MKZ, RepairPal estimates that a

trunk lock actuator replacement

may cost anywhere from $142 to $159 for parts and labor. This range depends on where you live and what kind of access to parts you can expect from your mechanics.

An average trunk release cable replacement cost is between $156 and $183. A trunk latch replacement may cost you up to $280 for just the part and another $150 for labor. Of course, minor problems with minor fixes may not even need any replacement parts, so you can expect only to pay for labor costs for these.

MORE:

Are Lincolns expensive to maintain?

How to save on Lincoln MKZ insurance

Your car insurance may not cover a busted part like a trunk lock actuator, but it will provide essential protection in the case of an accident. But how do you know what coverage you need—and more importantly, whether you’re paying a fair price for that coverage?

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