If you can’t get your 2016 Tiguan trunk to open, it’s probably because you accidentally activated the Volkswagon’s “valet mode.” This feature disables trunk access, but it’s a simple fix. Open the glove box and press the valet mode button inside to deactivate it.

The valet mode in your Volkswagen Tiguan can be a useful feature—until it’s not! Activating this mode by accident is a common culprit when it comes to a malfunctioning trunk. But if turning it off doesn’t work, your 2016 Tiguan’s trunk might not be opening for a more serious reason.

That’s why

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison app, put together this handy guide. We’ll go over possible causes and solutions for a 2016 VW Tiguan trunk that won’t open so you can get your car back to normal as quickly as possible. We’ll even throw in tips for saving money on your

Volkswagon Tiguan insurance costs

What to do if your 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan trunk won’t open

The most common reason for a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan trunk that won’t open involves the car’s valet mode. If you’re lucky, a simple solution will have you opening your trunk in no time.

Most common cause: the valet mode accidentally activated

Did you know your 2016 VW Tiguan has a cool security feature that prevents people from accessing the trunk and glove box? The valet mode is designed to lock the trunk and glovebox when you give your car to someone else to temporarily drive or park it.

If you turned on valet mode and forgot about it, you’ll quickly realize that you can’t get into your trunk. Or you might have turned on valet mode without realizing it. For instance, you could activate valet mode when jump-starting the battery, or items could bump into the valet mode button if you’ve got a full glove compartment.

Open your glove box (you’ll have to unlock it with the valet key if you turned on valet mode and forgot about it). Look in the left corner to see if the button with the car and lock is illuminated. If it’s lit up orange, the valet mode is on. Just push it once to turn it off and try to open your trunk. Hopefully, this simple solution is all it takes to restore trunk access.

Other possible causes

Don’t be disheartened if the valet mode wasn’t the cause of your trunk troubles. You might just be dealing with a different problem like a mechanical lock issue or an electrical malfunction. Here are a few possible reasons you can’t open your Tiguan’s trunk:

Broken key fob: Fobs experience a lot of wear and tear, so they can break. Your key fob could be a problem if you can still open the trunk using the switch on the driver-side door or the button on the trunk itself.

Faulty door switch: The driver’s door switch or trunk switch could be broken if only your key fob opens the trunk.

Electrical malfunction: The problem might be something you can’t see, like a blown fuse, failing actuator, or faulty wiring.

Broken latch: It’s never good if you can hear the actuator working but the trunk lid doesn’t open. This could be a sign that the trunk latch itself is broken.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any quick fixes you can try at home if you suspect any of these issues. Take your 2016 Tiguan to a VW dealership where an automotive diagnostic specialist can identify and repair the problem. They’ll go over everything that could be causing your trunk troubles and what will need to happen to address it.

MORE:

Volkswagen trunk does not lock or open inspection

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How to manually open a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan trunk

We get it. No one likes to rush to the dealership because they can’t get into their trunk and have to get something out of it. How are you going to get your groceries out?

Fortunately, there’s an emergency trunk release on the 2016 VW Tiguan, and you can get to it from inside the vehicle. You just need a little flexibility and a key (or a flathead screwdriver). Pull down the back seats and fold them until they’re flat.

Now, get into the back seat so you can crawl back toward the trunk latch. It’s covered by a rectangular plate and has a thin slot in the center. Insert a key or your screwdriver into the slot and slide it to the left until the trunk latch releases. Then, push the trunk open and pat yourself on the back!

While you won’t want to use this method of manually opening your trunk every time, it does work in a pinch!

Cost of trunk repair for 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

If you do end up taking your Tiguan to a VW dealership for repairs, you’re probably wondering how much it’s going to set you back. The cost of repairs ultimately depends on your location and what is causing the problem.

For example, a new lock latch runs around $85 from the VW parts store. You might end up paying between $150 to $200 once you factor in the cost of labor. The costs are similar for replacing the trunk lock actuator or trunk latch release cable.

If your trunk problem is related to the valet system or if your trunk latch just needs some adjustment, plan on paying for labor alone. You’ll probably spend around $100 or less if you're not buying parts.

The good news is that Tiguan trunk repairs are generally affordable—unless your trunk was damaged in a car accident or collision. Replacing the entire trunk lid can start at over $750 for the part alone. This is where a good insurance policy that includes

collision insurance

and

comprehensive coverage

can likely come to the rescue!

MORE:

The most common Volkswagen problems

How to save on Volkswagen Tiguan insurance

You’ve come to expect reliability from your Tiguan, even if the trunk might act up now and then. Hopefully, you expect even more from your car insurance. If you’re dissatisfied with your coverage or hoping to save more on

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