If your 2016 Kia Sorento trunk won’t open, it’s most likely that your key fob is out of batteries. If manually opening it from the outside doesn’t work either, it may be a problem with the latch mechanism or lock actuator.

Changing a key fob battery is easy enough, but what about those more advanced problems with your Sorento’s back hatch? Here with all the details is

Jerry

, the trusted

car insurance

comparison app.

We’ll go over potential causes for your Sorento’s trunk issues, ways to get back in your trunk, and a surefire way to cut back on your

Kia Sorento insurance costs

. Let’s get started!

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What to do if your 2016 Kia Sorento trunk won’t open

Don’t panic—if your Sorento’s back hatch is unresponsive, there are a few things you can check before taking it to the body shop.

Most common cause: broken latch

If the back hatch of your 2016 Kia Sorento is not responding to your key fob or the commands from inside the vehicle, it’s most likely that the latch holding the rear liftgate closed is broken. Latches can break if there is excessive force or impact around the latch area. If part of the latch breaks and doesn’t release properly, you won’t be able to access your Kia’s cargo area.

Some drivers will hear the latch mechanism click without releasing the door. In most cases, you’ll have to replace the part completely to get it working again.

This is a fairly common problem with the Kia’s back liftgate, but it’s not the only one. Here are a few more factors you can troubleshoot before taking in your Sorento.

Other possible causes

A broken latch can explain why your Sorento’s truck won’t open, but there are a couple of other causes to look into:

Key fob battery is dead: If you’ve only tried opening the hatch with the key fob from the outside of the vehicle, it could be that the fob itself has run out of juice.

Damaged trunk cable: In some cases, the cable powering the latch mechanism could be damaged or malfunctioning.

Broken lock actuator: This is the motor that powers the lock mechanism—if this little motor dies, it won’t move the lock in and out of position.

Button locking mechanism: If you can lock the doors with the lock button but not the trunk, it may be that the system has a bug.

With the majority of these issues, you’ll have to take your Sorento in to the dealership or a mechanic for a checkup.They’ll be able to diagnose the problem by inspecting the door locks, fuse box, electrical systems, and any other components that could be culprits in holding your Sorento’s truck closed.

MORE:

Kia tune-up cost

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How to manually open a 2016 Kia Sorento trunk

The good news is that you can still access the Sorento’s trunk by going inside the vehicle and scaling the back row of seats.

However, if you need the back hatch opened right away, there’s an emergency tailgate safety release that you can access. This is only to be used in extreme cases and can cause damage if used improperly. In most cases, it’s better to get a professional to repair the rear hatch.

You’ll find the emergency tailgate safety release under a panel with an icon of a car with the back hatch open. It should be near the bottom inside of the tailgate itself. Pull the lever and push the hatch outward to exit the vehicle.

Cost of trunk repair for 2016 Kia Sorento

Depending on the level of damage and your location, a trunk inspection will cost you somewhere in the ballpark of $95. And that’s not even including the replacement parts!

On the online

Kia parts store

, a trunk lock actuator motor costs anywhere from $50 to $100 while a complete latch replacement can cost up to $300. Even through a third-party distributor like Amazon, a Trunk Lock Kit will cost anywhere from $60 to $85. And that’s not including labor costs for getting the part installed!

However, if the inspection turns up a minor issue, you can expect to pay $100 or less depending on the location and the shop. And if the issue is covered by a warranty, you can get your repair paid for. As there have been multiple complaints about the 2016 rear hatch not opening, warranty coverage may just be your ticket to savings.

In cases where the trunk lock is damaged as a result of a collision or another non-accident-related incident, your cost may be higher. But if you have a good Kia Sorento insurance policy in place with

collision insurance

and

comprehensive coverage

, you may not have to foot the entire repair bill on your own!

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How to save on Kia Sorento insurance

While you may have to pay to get your trunk open and working again, there’s no harm in insuring your Sorento against future repairs. With older vehicles like the 2016 Sorento, it may be a good idea to invest in coverages like

rental reimbursement

and

towing and labor coverage

. Adding on coverage can be expensive—unless you shop with

Jerry

, that is!

As a

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and all-around super app, Jerry can find an affordable insurance policy that works for you. Download the app, answer a few basic questions, and you’ll get instant access to custom quotes sourced from over 55 top providers nationwide. The whole thing takes about 45 seconds, and once you’ve got your quotes, Jerry’s agents can help you switch over in record time.

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