Keys Locked In The Trunk — What Are Your Options?
Keys locked in the trunk are a different problem from keys locked in the cabin — most trunks do not have the same emergency release access, and forcing one open risks the latch mechanism and the paint around it. Non-destructive entry through the cabin, then popping the trunk from inside, is the usual fix rather than going at the trunk directly.
It happens more than people expect — groceries in, keys set down on top of a bag, trunk closed out of habit before you realise. Unlike a cabin lockout, there is no window to peer through and no obvious next move.
Why trunks are handled differently
Most trunks lock independently of the cabin doors and do not have an accessible manual override from outside. The practical route in almost every case is opening the cabin — which usually has more accessible entry points — then releasing the trunk from the interior release or the fob storage.
What not to do
- Do not pry at the trunk seam. It bends the panel and rarely actually opens the latch.
- Do not use a coat hanger through the trunk gap. Modern trunk latches are not designed to be reached this way, and it risks the wiring around the latch.
- Do not assume the trunk release button works from outside. It almost never does, by design, for security.
Does the car model matter?
| Vehicle type | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Standard sedan/SUV | Cabin entry, then interior or fob trunk release |
| Vehicles with a trunk key cylinder | Sometimes direct entry via the cylinder, if fitted |
| Keyless/push-button models | Cabin entry, then push-button trunk release from inside |
If the keys and the fob are both in the trunk
This is the version that actually needs a locksmith rather than a friend with a spare. If a fob is inside the trunk and there is no second key anywhere, a replacement key may need to be cut and programmed once the trunk is open — see car key replacement for what that involves.
Booking it
Tell us the make and model when you call — trunk release mechanisms vary enough that it helps to know in advance. Full detail on vehicle entry generally is on car lockout, and ranges are on the prices page.