If your 2017 Hyundai Sonata trunk won’t open, it’s likely because the “valet mode” is employed by a small switch on the trunk latch. If that switch is off, a damaged trunk latch, a blown fuse, or a dead key fob could be the reason the trunk won’t open.
Whether or not you regularly use your Sonata’s trunk, it’s frustrating at best when it won’t open. There are several reasons why this may be happening and here to give you an overview of those reasons and ways to get past them is Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
. While we’re at it, we’ll show you how to save on Hyundai car insurance costs
. Let’s get into it. What to do if your 2017 Hyundai Sonata trunk won’t open
It’s easy to feel at a loss when you’re pressing all the right buttons but your 2017 Hyundai Sonata trunk still won’t open. But before you schedule an appointment with your local Hyundai dealership, try troubleshooting first.
Most common cause: accidental valet mode activation
Valet mode is part of a security system built into your keyless-start Sonata that allows you to lock the trunk and glove compartment when you hand off your key fob to another person. To employ the valet system, you’ll open the trunk and flip up the small lever on the trunk latch. When you close the trunk again, only the removable mechanical key found inside the key fob will be able to unlock it again.
It’s entirely possible to have flipped this switch without realizing it, or maybe you meant to flip the switch and have simply forgotten to switch it off. Either way, it’s an easy fix as long as you have the mechanical key.
The keyhole for a 2017 Hyundai Sonata trunk can be found on the underside of the trunk lip. Insert and turn the key, then take a look at the trunk latch once it pops open. On the passenger side of the latch, you should find images of a lock in an open and closed position and a small lever. If the lever is flipped up, valet mode is on. Just flip it down again to deactivate it and regain push-button access to your trunk!
Other possible causes
If valet mode doesn’t seem to be the reason for your non-opening trunk, you could be looking at a different problem. Here are some other possible reasons your 2017 Sonata trunk won’t open:
Broken/dead key fob: Head to the driver’s side interior of your Sonata and press the trunk release button on the dash. If that works, your issue may be lying with a dead or otherwise malfunctioning key fob.
Faulty door switch: Similarly, if your key fob works to open the trunk but the dashboard button does not, you may have a faulty door switch.
Electrical malfunction: The issue may stem from a blown fuse or incorrect wiring.
Broken latch: The trunk latch itself may be broken, and in fact, this is quite a common issue with Hyundai Sonatas between 2017 and 2018.
Aside from swapping out the battery in your key fob, these issues may be best left to a professional. Schedule a maintenance appointment at your Hyundai dealership or bring your car to a local mechanic so they can diagnose and correct whatever problem is plaguing your Sonata’s trunk.
How to manually open a 2017 Hyundai Sonata trunk
Maybe you can wait a week to get in at the Hyundai dealership…or maybe you just picked up dog food for your sweet pup and it’s now locked in the trunk. If you can’t wait for a servicing appointment, there is a way to get into the 2017 Sonata’s trunk manually.
In all Sonatas from 2017 and on, there is a small box under the left back seat of the car that houses a trunk release. You’ll be able to identify it by an image of a car’s trunk on the cover. Pull the cover off to reveal a rope tag within the box—pull the rope and your trunk should pop open.
If you’re still staring at an immovable back hatch, it’s likely that you have a damaged trunk latch. Hyundai issued a recall for some 2017 and 2018 Sonatas because of malfunctioning trunk latches, so it’s possible you’re in the unlucky affected grouping. If it’s absolutely essential for you to regain access to your trunk immediately, you’ll need to drill through the lock cylinder of your trunk.
Obviously, that’s not ideal, but it will get the job done. Otherwise, you’ll still need to bring your Sonata for the repair. But there’s some good news here—most recall repairs are done by the dealership for free.
Cost of trunk repair for 2017 Hyundai Sonata
Unfortunately, non-recall related repairs will not be done for free unless you have a really good mechanic hook-up. Exactly how much those repairs will cost, though, depends on exactly what is wrong.
Getting a trunk latch replacement could cost you around $150-$250 for parts and labor depending on where you get the job done. But let’s say the latch itself is fine, it has just shifted in place—you could typically get a trunk latch adjustment
done for $100 or less since you’ll just need the labor and not the part. A trunk lock actuator replacement is likely to cost around the same as a trunk latch replacement, but as one can expect, things get pricier for the more involved repairs. For example, if you were recently in a collision that damaged your trunk lid (another possible reason the trunk won’t open) and requires a full replacement, your repair bill will probably be around $575 to $750 or more including both labor and trunk lid parts.
How to save on Hyundai Sonata insurance
Of course, with the right insurance policy that includes collision coverage
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