Emergency Trunk Release: 4 Steps to Escape From Inside
Most passenger cars sold since 2002 have an emergency trunk release inside the trunk, usually a glow-in-the-dark T-handle or pull cord near the latch on the underside of the lid. Reach for it, pull or press it as labeled, then push the trunk lid upward to open it. If you are trapped right now, do that first and read the rest later.
TL;DR:
Federal rules require interior releases in passenger cars with trunks, but exempt hatchback rear doors; some compliant trunks unlatch automatically instead.
Pull, press, or move the release as marked, then push the lid upward; brace with your feet if your arms lack leverage.
If the release or electronics fail, fold the rear seats and enter through the cabin; a hidden fob key works only when the trunk has a keyhole.
Test the release safely with nobody inside, charge its glow in bright light, and have a locksmith inspect a sticking cable or jammed lid.
Table of Contents
Where is the release and what does it look like?
Start with the trunk lid. The release sits on the interior side of the lid, close to the latch assembly. According to NHTSA’s test procedure, it is typically a glow-in-the-dark, T-shaped handle or pull cord. Run your hand along the lid’s inner edge and the lip around the latch. You are feeling for something that sticks out a little and feels different from the carpet and plastic around it.
Here are the forms you are most likely to find:
A T-handle: a small plastic grip shaped like the letter T, often bright green or yellow-green when it glows.
A pull cord: a short cable ending in a loop or knob, usually attached directly to the latch.
A labeled lever: a small lever with an arrow showing which way to move it.
A small button: less common, found on some newer models, often marked with an icon of a trunk or a person.
Hatchbacks and SUVs can look different, and we cover why in the regulatory section below. If your vehicle has a rear door instead of a trunk lid, check the owner’s manual, because the release may be absent or placed somewhere unexpected.
The glow comes from phosphorescent material, which soaks up ambient light and releases it slowly. The same federal document says the material is designed to remain visible in pitch-black conditions for several hours after exposure to light. If your handle looks dull in a lit garage, that is normal. Leave the trunk lid open in daylight for a while and the glow returns once you close it in the dark.
The exact placement and feel vary by make and model, so your owner’s manual is the best reference. Look up “emergency trunk release” in the index and note the page. Some manufacturers put the handle on the latch itself, others on a cable that runs along the lid’s inner panel. A quick read now means you will not be guessing later.
Genesis, for example, describes its emergency trunk safety release as a lever you move in the direction of the arrow. Other brands use a pull handle instead. The shape changes, but the idea does not: one deliberate motion unlatches the lid.
How do you open the trunk from the inside?
Work through this checklist in order. Stay calm, because your hands will do the job if you let them.
Reach: feel along the underside of the trunk lid near the latch for the handle, cord, lever or button.
Actuate: pull, press or move it in the direction the label or arrow shows.
Push: put your hand or both hands flat against the lid and push upward.
Exit: once the lid lifts, climb out feet first or sit up and swing your legs over the edge.
Each release type feels slightly different. With a pull handle or pull cord, a firm tug should move the latch with a small click or release of tension. With a lever, follow the arrow printed beside it. Kia’s owner’s manual guidance says the same thing in plain terms: move the lever in the direction of the arrow and push the trunk lid to open. With a button, press and hold it as directed in your owner’s manual. Some require a twist before they respond.
What you want to feel is the latch letting go. You may hear a clunk, feel the lid loosen, or see a thin line of light appear along the edge. If nothing moves, release the handle, reposition your grip, and try again with a steadier pull. A cord can slip through wet or sweaty fingers, so wrap it once around your hand if you can.
Pushing the lid often takes more effort than people expect, especially on heavy trunk lids or when the struts are weak. Here is how to brace yourself when reach or strength is limited:
Use your legs: lie on your back, bend your knees and push the lid with the soles of your feet. Your legs are far stronger than your arms.
Use your hips and back: if you are on your side, press your shoulder or back against the lid and straighten your body.
Use the seatbacks: on many cars the rear seatbacks fold down. Push or kick them forward to open a path into the cabin, then use the doors.
If you are in a tight space, move slowly. Panic burns oxygen and strength you will want later.
What can you do if the release is missing or the car has no power?
Sometimes there is no handle to pull, or the battery is dead and the normal electronic release will not respond. In either case, work through these non-destructive options before anything else.
Fold the rear seats and go in from the cabin. Most sedans have rear seatbacks that fold forward, opening a gap between the cabin and the trunk. SlashGear’s dead-battery explainer lists this as the first practical fallback. Open a rear door, find the release levers or straps near the top of the seatbacks (often in the trunk, sometimes on the seat itself), fold the seats down, and crawl through or reach in to pull the cargo out.
Use the mechanical key hidden in your fob. Many key fobs hide a small metal key. Slide the release switch on the fob, pull out the blade, and look for a keyhole on the trunk lid, often under a small cover or beside the license plate. Not every car has one, so check your manual before you spend time searching.
Restore low-voltage power. A dead battery is often why the electronic release fails. A portable 12V jump pack or another car can bring power back to the system. In broad terms: connect the positive clamp to the positive terminal, connect the negative clamp to bare metal on the engine or frame, power up the pack or the donor car, and try the release. Follow the instructions that come with your jump pack, because terminals and connection points differ by vehicle. Some manufacturers publish their own procedures, such as Tesla’s guidance for powered frunks with no power, which shows that external power can be applied at specific terminals to unlatch a powered front trunk.
Know when to stop and call for help:
You cannot find a handle, cord, lever or button after a thorough check.
The latch moves but the lid will not rise.
The fold-down seats do not budge or your car has no pass-through.
You are tempted to pry, drill or force anything.
Roadside assistance or a licensed locksmith can open a trunk without damaging the latch, the trim or the paint. Forcing it can snap plastic clips, bend the lid or injure you, and it rarely saves time. If your keys are stuck inside, our guide on what to do when your keys are locked in the trunk walks through the safest next steps.
Why does the release exist, and what are the safety rules?
The release exists because of a federal safety rule. NHTSA’s interpretation of Standard No. 401 explains that passenger cars with trunk compartments must have an interior trunk release, and that back doors on hatchbacks are excluded from the requirement. The underlying rulemaking is documented in the Federal Register notice, which carries the regulatory text and background. In practice, this is why cars certified after September 1, 2001 and sold from 2002 onward carry the glow-in-the-dark handle. The history behind the rule, including the tragedies that drove it, is summarized by Kids and Car Safety.
The standard applies to passenger cars with trunks, and hatchback back doors are exempt.
The standard also allows an alternative design: a trunk that unlatches automatically within a set time. If your car uses that approach, the trunk may open without any handle at all, though few owners ever notice because manufacturers usually add a handle anyway.
Manufacturers repeat the same safety rules in their manuals. The Genesis manual states that the emergency trunk release is for life-safety emergencies and not for regular use. Keep these rules close:
Never let children or animals ride in or play in the trunk. It is highly dangerous in a collision.
Never rely on the release as a way to hide or transport a person.
Test the handle in daylight, in a safe place, with someone watching.
How do you test and maintain the release?
A release you have never touched might not work when you need it. Testing is a useful way to check that the release works. CarParts.com’s overview recommends familiarizing yourself with your vehicle’s release in a controlled, well-lit place instead of waiting for a real emergency.
Here is a safe driveway routine:
Park on level ground, set the parking brake and open the trunk.
Inspect the handle or cord for cracks, fraying or a loose mount.
Charge the glow by leaving the lid open in bright light, then check it in a dark garage.
Have a family member stand outside, close the lid with nobody inside, and use the release from the inside by reaching through the open cabin pass-through, if your car has one.
Check that nearby trim and clips are in place and not cracked.
If something looks worn, the fixes are simple. Expose the glow surface to light more often. Replace a damaged handle with a part for your make and model. When you need to pull back trim to see the cable or latch, avoid metal screwdrivers: plastic clips are fragile and break easily, and proper plastic trim tools are safer for the liner. A set of dedicated trim tools, like the kind covered in this overview of automotive hand tools, costs far less than a broken liner.
If the mechanism sticks, the cable feels loose, or the trim is brittle and crumbles when touched, stop. A locksmith or dealer can diagnose it without breaking clips or damaging the lid liner.
A note from Brian on checking before you need it
Spend some time locating it, and show everyone who rides with you. Keep a spare mechanical key somewhere other than the trunk, and never store a portable jump starter back there, because that is exactly what you will not be able to reach.
— Brian
When should you call a locksmith for trunk problems?
If the release will not budge, the latch is jammed, or you are locked out of your own trunk, a professional visit is safer than forcing anything. We are a local, mobile team: we come to you, we communicate directly without call centers, and we work with integrity and technical expertise so you never have to worry about scam operators.
Here is what we can help with through our automotive locksmith services:
Emergency vehicle access when you are locked out or locked in
Trunk latch diagnosis and repair
Mechanical key replacement, including keys cut for fobs
Fast mobile service at your location across Delaware
Call a verified locksmith or your roadside provider instead of trying destructive entry. For a quick start, see all of our locksmith services and request help from our team today.
FAQ
How do I pop my trunk manually?
Look for a handle, lever, cord or small keyhole on the trunk lid or near the latch inside the cabin pass-through. Pull, press or move it in the direction shown, then lift the lid. If your car has none, fold the rear seats down and reach in from the cabin, as SlashGear explains.
How do I open a Chrysler 200 trunk with a dead battery?
Restore low-voltage power with a portable 12V jump pack or another car, then use the normal release. You can also fold the rear seats and enter the trunk from the cabin, or use the mechanical key from the fob if your trunk has a keyhole. Check your owner’s manual for the exact points on your model.
How can I open my car trunk without using the key?
Use the interior emergency release if you are inside the trunk, or fold the rear seats down from the cabin if you are outside. If the fob is dead, the hidden mechanical key may fit a trunk keyhole. When none of that works, a roadside provider or locksmith can open it without damage.
Do all cars have an emergency trunk release button?
No, but passenger cars with trunks subject to the standard have an interior release. NHTSA’s interpretation of Standard No. 401 requires an interior release on passenger cars with trunks and excludes hatchback back doors. The release may be a handle, cord, lever or button, so check your manual.
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