If the power liftgate on your Toyota Highlander stops functioning, the cause behind the malfunction could be an easy fix at home. A simple reset might restore easy access to your Highlander’s trunk space.
Another possibility is that the liftgate function has been shut off. That’s also easy to remedy. Beyond that, you may need to do some light diagnostic work or take your vehicle to a service center, but it’s a good idea to first find out if the problem is something you can fix yourself.
If you’re ready to get started and get your Highlander’s liftgate working again, check out this guide from Jerry
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What to do if your Toyota Highlander trunk won’t open
If the power liftgate access to your Toyota Highlander stops functioning, you should still be able to open it manually, but let’s be honest: it’s just not as convenient. However, before you head to the body shop or service center, you can do some quick diagnostics yourself. You might even fix the problem in a matter of minutes!
Most common cause: Liftgate powered off
You may not know that there’s an on/off switch for your Highlander’s power liftgate. It allows you to turn off the power function as a safety feature, preventing children from activating the liftgate.
Depending on your model year, you may find the liftgate’s on/off switch inside the vehicle glove box or somewhere near the steering wheel. Refer to your owner’s manual if needed. Then, simply set the liftgate to ON and press the power liftgate button on your keyfob or vehicle instrument panel.
If your power liftgate function is turned on but it’s still not working, there might be another problem. Read on for more troubleshooting and solutions.
Resetting the liftgate
Sometimes, you just need to reset your liftgate settings to operate the power-door to your Highlander’s trunk. To reset the door, go to the back of your parked Highlander and open the rear door. Find the liftgate button inside the door, press it, and hold it down for 10 seconds.
After you’ve held the button down for 10 seconds and released it, you should hear four beeps, a pause, and then two more beeps. Your liftgate has been successfully reset!
Other causes of trunk malfunctions
If activating your liftgate switch and resetting your liftgate aren’t successful, you may need to dig a little deeper. Here are some other possible problems:
Dirty tracks and sensors: Check the tracks on your liftgate as well as the sensors located on your rear bumper. If these are dirty or gritty, they could inhibit or prevent your power liftgate from working properly. Carefully clean them off and try opening your trunk again.
Key fob issue: If your key fob isn’t working to open your trunk, try using the control on your cabin instrument panel. If that works, you might have a problem with your key fob battery or button.
Electrical malfunction: Locate and check the fuse for your liftgate. A blown fuse might stop it from working.
Beyond these issues, you may have to get help from an expert to diagnose and restore your liftgate’s functioning. It’s possible that the liftgate’s motor, wiring, or latch is malfunctioning. These repairs are a bit more technical and not as easy to fix yourself at home.
How to manually open a Toyota Highlander trunk
If you can’t get your power liftgate to open, you may have to manually open up the trunk. There are a couple of methods that might work.
First, locate the keyhole on your Highlander’s rear door. It may be concealed under the vehicle emblem. Insert your key, and slowly lift up the door.
If that doesn’t work, try the emergency release in the back of your Highlander. You’ll need to get in the very back of the vehicle and look for the plastic cover over the emergency trunk release. It should be around the center of the rear door’s interior.
Once you remove this plastic cover, you should find a lever that you can pull to unlock and open the trunk door. Make sure to reset the lever before you shut the rear door to ensure it properly locks.
Cost of trunk repair for Toyota Highlander
Depending on what the problem is, paying to repair your Highlander’s liftgate could cost anywhere from a few bucks to several hundred dollars.
For instance, if you just need a new fuse and you can replace it yourself, you may not have to spend more than $5 to $10. If you need something big like a new power liftgate motor, you could be stuck paying $750 or more!
How to save on Toyota Highlander insurance
Although you might be facing some major expenses depending on what’s going on with your Toyota Highlander’s liftgate, you’ll be glad to know that we can help you make room for these costs in your budget by helping you save on your car insurance
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