What to Do if Your Hyundai Sonata Trunk Won’t Open
If your Hyundai Sonata’s trunk won’t open, try checking the Smart Trunk feature or your key fob batteries. For more information, click here!
Written by Alita Dark
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
If your Hyundai Sonata trunk won’t open and you have a more recent model, it’s a good idea to make sure Smart Trunk has been set up and that your smart key still has a charge. Cold weather or broken latch mechanisms may also be the culprit.
Since older models don’t have the nifty hands-free opening feature, a stuck trunk probably means mechanical failure instead of operator error. Still, it’s worth troubleshooting the error to (hopefully) save yourself from a trip to the mechanic.
Here to help you do so is
Jerry
, the car insurance
broker app. We’ll take a look at the reasons your trunk might be unresponsive, how to open it anyway, and tips for how to save on your Hyundai Sonata car insurance
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What to do if your Hyundai Sonata trunk won’t open
While a stuck trunk may be cause for alarm, you don’t have to rush to the mechanic right away. There are a few things you can try first to see if you can fix the problem by yourself.
Most common cause: operator error
If the trunk of your Hyundai Sonata won’t open, it might be because you’re doing something wrong. This is good news! It means the fix will be easy and (probably) free. All you have to do is figure out where the error is.
For newer models equipped with Smart Trunk, it’s worth checking to make sure you’ve actually turned this feature on. Simply walking up to your trunk and expecting it to open won’t work. First, you’ll want to make sure you have the key with you. This is especially important because the feature will not work without the presence of the fob.
Once you have your key, turn on the car and select Set Up on your touchscreen. Navigate to the Vehicle section, choose Door, and then check the box for Smart Trunk. If your smart key leaves the detecting area before the trunk has opened, it will fail to activate, and you will have to re-enter the detecting area.
Another possibility is that the trunk lid control switch has been changed to locked. In this position, the trunk can only be opened by inserting the key into the lock. Neither the fob nor the interior trunk release lever will work. This is a common issue in Sonatas made between the years 2011 and 2017.
Hopefully, your trunk will work just fine after you’ve checked these features. If not, read on to see what else may be causing your issue.
Other causes
On to more complicated causes. It’s possible your key fob has run out of charge or the cold weather is making your trunk stick, but mechanical failures may also be the culprit. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Key fob battery: Once your smart key’s battery dies, it will no longer open any of your car doors. You can test this easily by trying to lock or unlock other doors. If the fob doesn’t function for any of them, it’s time to replace the battery.
- Cold weather: Freezing conditions can cause trunk mechanics to become sluggish or unresponsive, especially if you keep your car outdoors. Try running the engine for a few minutes or storing your car in a garage to keep this from happening.
- Part failure: Your trunk is still a mechanical part of the car, and the electrical system that operates it can break down. Broken cables or latch mechanisms will lead to the trunk becoming inaccessible. If this is the case, you will likely need to see a mechanic, as those parts will have to be replaced.
How to manually open a Hyundai Sonata trunk
If your trunk truly is stuck, there are two ways to open it without taking it to the dealership. One is by locating the cable cover near the left rear seat. You will need your mechanical key to open it. Once opened, simply pull the cable that’s inside, and your trunk will open. This is available in all 2017-2022 models.
If you have an older model or the cable fails to open your trunk, your final option is the emergency release latch. It is best not to rely on this as several models have been recalled for a faulty emergency release, meaning even if you employ this step, you could still be left unable to get into your trunk.
Be aware that the emergency release is meant to be pulled by someone inside the trunk. This means you will have to remove the back seat to get into the trunk before you can even find the latch. Basically, be prepared for a workout!
Cost of trunk repair for Hyundai Sonata
If you’re lucky, you won’t have to pay anything to get your Sonata’s trunk repaired. Should your vehicle be included in one of the emergency release recalls, you can get a free fix at your local dealership. The models that were affected by this recall include:
- 2017-2018 Hyundai Sonata
- 2016-2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- 2020 Hyundai Sonata
- 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
If you have a mechanical problem, such as a broken door lock actuator, things can get pricey. If you shop through the
Hyundai parts site
, the replacement part will cost you around $225—and that’s without any labor! Replacing your key fob is no small thing either, with a price tag of $400. A broken trunk lid switch, on the other hand, shouldn’t cost you more than $41. Of course, the price of labor will vary depending on your model. Older cars with fewer mechanical parts are less likely to need a big, costly fix, while you may end up paying more for the feature-heavy newer versions.
How to save on Hyundai Sonata insurance
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