Trunk Latch Failure

In 2000 it became mandatory all cars 2001 and up have an emergency release handle inside in case someone gets locked in the trunk. Until the latch fails theres no way to know if it will still work (possible extra mechanism?) but you could tie a rope to it and run that into the cabin and tuck it beside the back seat.

Hi, Unfortunately, the emergency release handle failed as well. Hyundai Motors called me from Ca. and said they'd note this issue for future cars. That obviously does not help me. As it stands now, I'm putting everything in the back seat because I no longer trust the trunk on this car. I think they should recall the car. Thanks for your help Dr. Charles Rasmussen

I touched something and realized bit put my groceries in and now yhat I need them out it is not opening.

We have a key trunk opener on ours we have to use until we can get it to the Hyundai Dealer to have it looked at. Our trunk wouldn't open with the key faub or the latch release button but we found a key hole while we were looking around. I hope you have one and this helps.

2017 HYUNDAI SONATA SPORT TRUNK LATCH FAILED 52,000 MILES. I GUESS I WILL BE PAYING FOR IT HUH

My trunk just failed today at 52,435 miles

My 2017 Sonata trunk latch failed at 41098 miles. Dealer says he has to pull rear seats out as there is no way to open the trunk from the inside or outside with out removing the defective latch. Latch has been on back order for 2 weeks. Dealer says this has happened on numerous occasions. Can I trust the new latch. Leary about putting things in the trunk. Recall??

I have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. A month ago my trunk wouldn’t open either. The fob, the dash button or key doesn’t work. Took it to the dealer and had to pay $60 just for them to look at it. They said it would cost me $525 to drill out the key cylinder and reprogram the fob. Told them it was a manufacturer defect. Who makes a car that you can’t get into the trunk from the inside of the car. Called Hyundai and made a complaint and they sent it to the BBB auto complaints. I’m waiting for them to send me a packet to fill so they can investigate the matter. If everyone calls them with this complaint they would have to have a recall. Why should we have to destroy the inside of our car to gain access to our trunk. How do we get to a spare if we get a flat tire. Please call this number and file your complaint 1-800-955-5100. The more people that file a complaint puts more pressure on the manufacturer to have a recall.

I have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. A month ago my trunk would not open either. The fob, the dash button or key doesn’t work. I had to rip out the back set to get in the trunk and it was a b***h to do. Lucky the truck release in the trunk worked, but as soon as you close it the same thing you can't open it from the outside! Please call this number and file your complaint 1-800-955-5100

2011, 130k miles. Trunk wouldn't open, only clicked. Key wouldn't go into lock (due to never having used). Applied penetrating oil a couple of times, jiggle and pushed key in as far as possible several times (almost got too stuck to get it back out). Eventually got it unlocked with the key and found that something had bumped the button on the latch that locks the trunk from opening electronically. D'oh! Glad I did not take it to the dealer!

The trunk latch on my 2018 Sonata failed after less than 15,000 miles. I could not get it closed and had to force the cable off to close it. The dealer repaired it and it snapped again after using the trunk 3-4 times. This is such an inconvenience!!! The dealer repaired a 3rd time and it lasted about 6 times before it snapped again. It took a while to get the part and after it was fixed it only lasted a few times. I not sure if it's a design flaw or service incompleteness. Either way - it is back at the dealer again for the 5th TIME!!!

The trunk latch on my 2018 Sonata failed after less than 15,000 miles. I could not get it closed and had to force the cable off to close it. The dealer repaired it and it snapped again after using the trunk 3-4 times. This is such an inconvenience!!! The dealer repaired a 3rd time and it lasted about 6 times before it snapped again. It took a while to get the part and after it was fixed it only lasted a few times. I'm not sure if it's a design flaw or service incompleteness. Either way - it is back at the dealer again for the 5th TIME!!!

The trunk latch on my 2017 Sonata won't open with the remote or button on the dash. I used the key which only turns about 1/4 inch, but didn't work, then I noticed to the left of the key there is a handle and if you press on the handle while the key is turned the larch unlocks. I also noticed when I close the trunk it won't latch unless I push it down hard.

Yesssssssssss this was ABSOLUTELY the solution!!! Thank you!!!

So, I removed my trunk latch (very easy to do) to see what the problem is and to see if it is something that i could fix. I just want to ask Hyundai why would you make a part under so much stress out of plastic!! I would buy another latch, but I'm thinking it will be plastic too. So, I going to see if I can somehow repair it. Great job Hyundai, not!!

@GuruCYN77 I have exactly the same issue as you, that latch is made of plastic!! Do you have any idea how to fix it? super strong glue for plastic will fix the problem?

@Hedy I used J-B Weld to glue it back together. I coated the top and sides of the broken part with J-B Weld. So for it has worked. Good Luck

2017 Hyundai Sonata with just ― 6,122 miles. Saturday, the trunk latch on my 2017 Sonata wouldn't open. NOT with the remote and NOT with the button on the dash. And NOT even with the key. I have spent three days trying to figure out how to open the truck. How utterly FRUSTRATING.

@GuruCYN77 Same issue here. 2018 Sonata with about 15k on it. Happened to me last night and I tried the same thing with epoxy. doesnt seem to be holding for me though. I stretched the spring out a little so it wouldn't have as much tension on it and I was able to get it back together so it'll work a few times so I could shut the trunk until I can make it up to the dealership.

2017 Sonata 77,000. My trunk latch failed (fortunately open) and dealer said it was out of warranty at 60,000. New latch at dealer where I purchased the car was $108 (thank you Bakersfield Hyundai) , online dealer $59. It’s a very simple remove and replace. I would suggest everyone do this simple inside the car seat back release that I did: 1: Get access to the L/H seat back latch and unbolt (2ea 12mm). 2: Attach approximately 3’ of .032 safety wire to the latch release as shown. 3: Feed next to the existing release cable into the trunk. 4: Use a very small 6” drill bit and drill up through the existing round hole in the ceiling of the trunk as pictured. 5: Feed the wire through the hole and the liner behind the seat and twist a loop in it. 6: Twist a loop in the wire and tuck it back in the hole. The next time your latch fails in the closed position you have access to the trunk from inside the car. Just pull on the wire and the left rear seat pops open.

Another photo

One more photo

Cheap Korean cars...........................

I have this problem. At first trunk failed to open with electronic means but now even the key and emergency won’t open it. It’s like “stuck” in closed position. Hyundai needs to do a recall this is a major safety issue

Same. Just failed last night at 49914 miles. I filed a complaint with the BBB. Hyundai needs to issue a recall. https://www.auto.bbb.org/lemon-law-complaint-form/

Just submitted complaint to bbb like above

I have similar issue, my trunk won’t latch closed. Does anyone know how to get it to close?

So... i have the same issue... what i have found is that if i jiggle the key back and forth quickly in the slot on the trunk while pressing the handle on the trunk, it eventually opens. If you are unable to close, this is caused by the locking mechanism being set wrong. The best way to fix this is to jiggle the key back and forth quickly until it clicks. (on the inside you will see a piece of plastic sticking out next to the lock unlock images)

GuruCYN77 I have exagly same happen, I have been super grue but 3day later broken again. I'm 57500mi on it. i just make appointment dealership service. So worry abut it happen going to be again. it was made by plastic.

2017 sonata trunk latch fail on 57500mi. it need recall.

Mine failed at 50279 on 2017 Sonata Hybrid SE.

When the car is unlocked press the trunk down and open. Sometimes it won’t open on the first time so just keep trying. When trying to close use the key fob. Insert it and turn as if you were going to open the trunk with the key. As you do that close the trunk and hold it down, do not let off the pressure or return key to regular position. When you are sure you have your trunk all the way down then you can take the key out and your trunk should be closed.

The same thing happen to me after I went grocery shopping my trunk would not open. I finally got it open with the fob, but it took a long time before it worked. I agree that everybody that is experiencing this type of problem needs to file a complaint with BBB so they can issue a recall. I'm currently at the dealership and for them to diagnose the problem is $160.00, which is ridiculous. I have not receive the final cost............

I have a 2017 Sonata Limited with 40,000 miles. For about 6 months, the electrical mechanism that pops the trunk would continue even AFTER the trunk was open. But just yesterday the trunk latch failed to open the trunk. The button on the key fob and the button on the inside dash wouldn't open the trunk (I can hear the 'click' sound but the lock wouldn't open). After using the key I was able to open the trunk. But the trunk would not close unless I used the key again. I'm afraid to use my trunk until this problem is fixed. I'm going to the dealer today to see what they say. I have filed a complaint with BBB

I had the same problem in my 2017 Sonata and posted it on Cargurus. Eventually I took it to the dealer where I purchased the car and found that it was covered under the warranty and they replaced the latch mechanism for free and it's worked fine since then. The dealer told me it was a fairly common problem, so beware it may happen again. I kept it for 3 years and traded it in on a new Kona, now I solved the problem for good and the Kona is great.

I spoke to a Hyundai service rep at my local AZ dealer today and he said they have started using a new manufacturer for the latch release. They were able to install a new one for free on my 2017 Sonata because it was still under warranty. Hopefully this one works from now on.

My trunk latch failed without warning. Fob wouldn't work, trunk button on dash wouldn't work. Mechanical key wouldn't work. I had to mess with it a lot. I put the key in the lock, pressed the trunk lid button and the unlock button on fob at the same time. After a few tries it opened. I plan on installing a backup string to somehow pop back seats from inside. Took latch apart. A critical part, made from plastic, broke. Super glued it.

Here it is glued back in place (on the left).

Same issue with my 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. I have not pulled the trunk latch yet... but fully expect to find the same failure.

2017 Azera I was able to open the trunk by pushing down on the trunk lid while turning the key. I tried it several times with success.

Just bought 2017 Sonata Limited ,22k miles, one owner. I was able to get it open by using the key manually and pushing up the rubber part on trunk. To close it, however, I needed to put the key in, turn it and hold it while pushing up on the rubber and using my elbow to shut it. But, when I got off highway today, my trunk opened on its own, Also on the way home. Dangerous. I also read that there was a class action law suit which ended this past January?? awfully soon for this specific problem. A recall is definitely necessary. Just don't know who to address this problem too in order to get results....Thanks all for your comments.

Mine failed at 46600 miles and it pisses me off there is no recall on this issue!

Mine failed at 39000 miles. I will also be reporting it.

2017 with 50K trunk wouldn’t open finally able to open and now it will not shut. Had to tape it shut just to make it home. Super frustrating!

2017 Hyundai Sport less than 5,000 miles! Trunk latch failed! This car literally just sits in our garage!

2017 sonata, 9,000 miles trunk failed to open with the key or electronically but I was able to open by twisting very hard on the key while pressing the button on the fob. You can feel the key move another mm while holding down the button. Going to the dealer next week, thanks for all the ideas

I have a 2017 sonata with about 17,100 miles and just ran into this trunk latch problem. Nothing worked!! Contacted both Hertrich Sonata in New Castle, Delaware AND the Customer Care Center. Both are worthless. No answers, just the run around. What a disgrace!! I can't even use my car! Hyundai does not care at all. Besides BBB, what are other avenues I can pursue?

2017 Sonata. I have had the “defective latch” break twice now. Once when the car was about a year old (2017).. the trunk latch broke, luckily in the open position. It was under warranty and was replaced. Then a few nights ago (12/2020) the latch broke in the closed position and nothing could open it, not keys, fob etc. I had to remove the bench seat in the back and then reach my hand under and get a box wrench to loosen the bolts on the hinge. Luckily I was able to get the back seats lifted up enough to get a stick inside and hit the seat release cable. Once the seats were down I had to pop the lock with a screwdriver to get it to open. I ordered the latch assembly for $30.00 on Amazon and replaced it in about 20 minutes. To say that the latch is poorly designed is an understatement. To say that the only way to put the seats down is thru the trunk is a design-fail cluster F of epic proportions. If you have this issue, I wish you well. I’m currently working on rigging the release cable for the seats to the inside back deck, to avoid this issue again.

@Guru9ZCZPQ How did you remove the rear seat??? I have a 2017 plug-in Sonata and can't get into the trunk with any of the above "fixes". I've tried, but can't find a way to get the rear seat to come out. Please help! Thanks.

Have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata sport, trunk mechanism just failed. Would not open from fob or inside switch. Found the key hole, using the key in the fob. Got the trunk open, but now the trunk will not close. Will take to get serviced tomorrow.

2016 Sonata - trunk opened but will not latch. Looked online at Amazon (thank you poster above Guru9ZCZPQ) - can replace whole latch for approx $25. Contacted dealership Parts - have a REPAIR KIT for $12 or new latch for $120. Picking up repair kit to try it first.

This from the dealer $12.00

Instead of the BBB, send in your problems with the latch to the NHTSA. Here is how I would word it: The trunk will not open by any means, at times it can be opened, but the emergency release does not work. If anyone gets in, they cannot get out, especially with the Hybrids which do not have fold down back seats" "Federal mandate states the trunk must have an operational emergency release, but with the trunk latch issue, the emergency release does NOT work" WHen NHTSA see enough folks reporting this issue, they will investigate, and possibly issue a recall.

Shortly after we bought our Sonata about 2.5 years ago, the trunk came open on a trip. We couldn't make it latch. The police helped - tied it down. In Bakersfield we got it fixed at the Hyundai dealership. It worked ok until about two weeks ago. NOW IT WON'T OPEN !!!!

About 4 months after we bought our 2017 Hybrid Sonata in 2018, while driving up I-5, our trunk opened and would not close - would not latch shut. The police helped - tied it down. In Bakersfield we got a motel while the Hyundai dealership did a fix on it. Just recently, the TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN most of the time. A couple of times it seemed to open on its own. Also the anti-theft horn has been going off occasionally for no apparent reason.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/hyundai-kia-recall-cars-due-to-trunk-latch-concerns-a1960806000/ describes the recall for this problem. Our dealer in Sacramento knows about it, although Hyundai hasn't created a "remedy" for it yet. My (2017 Sonata Hybrid) trunk doesn't latch closed as of 25aug2021 and I'm seeking a fix from the dealers.

Oh my goodness, I had the same problem with my trunk, ( 2017 Sonata) food I just got from the grocery store was trapped inside the trunk. It all went bad because I couldn’t get the trunk open. Oh god the horrible smell that was left the next day, I tried everything to open the trunk, to get to my grocery’s. Even called a specialist to try to unlock it, nothing helped. 130$ down the toilet. Finally went to the dealership, they unlocked it finally, but charged me 350$ and weren’t able to get my trunk to close again so they just used a bungee cord to hold it in place, unbelievable.

My 2017 Sonata (36000 miles) trunk would not open by any of these means. Could not get the seats down. After 3 days my battery died so I called AAA. The trunk light was on (could see it while trying to pry the back seats out) and drained my battery. New one was $260 Will call dealer tomorrow because I just saw that there is a recall due to this problem. I hope the trunk light bulb burns out soon so I don't have to get a jump. Lots of my time wasted. Will install the cable suggested above--thanks for that idea. Otherwise I love my car.