What is adjusting the trunk latch all about?

It’s about a good tight fit for your trunk and keeping water away from your valuables. On vehicles with batteries, modules and fuses in the trunk area, the latch serves an extremely important purpose in the safe operation of your vehicle. The trunk latch can be anything from a metal hook and locking mechanism built into the center of your trunk, to a maze of wires, motors and sensors that must be in perfect operation for the latch to operate properly. If one of these components is not installed properly or is malfunctioning, you may have a trunk that may lock only on one side or not lock at all.

Keep in mind:

• Trunk latches are made out of metal, and like any metallic parts that encounter weight and friction during their use, these parts are designed to wear out over time and become misaligned.
• On cars with power trunks and hatches, these intricate components become even more complicated. The components and sensors that help guide them must all work in concert, and this includes ensuring that the new latch mechanism works with your key fob.

Our recommendation:

If your trunk or hatch looks uneven or your isn’t staying shut at the first "thunk," it’s time to have a professional look at it. Latches can often be adjusted to save the cost of their replacement. Enlist one of our mechanics to find the quickest and most reasonable solution to your trunk latch issue.

What are the common symptoms indicating you may need to to adjust the trunk latch?

• If you find that one part of your trunk seems slightly high than the other, your latch may need to be adjusted.
• On older vehicles, you may also find that the trunk has difficulty closing. This is especially the case for any car owner that drives a convertible year round. The specifications for top storage and power operation on a modern day convertible are within mere millimeters, and the constant use of the trunk latch on these vehicles often leads to wear issues.
• The trunk latch can also become misaligned through the constant interference of an object. If you have ever overpacked your trunk and had trouble closing it, it’s because something is interfering with the operation of your latches. This part can easily can be misaligned or even broken off if this pressure on the latches is ignored.

How important is this service?

On late models in particular, a trunk or hatch that doesn’t shut correctly can lead to a long line of unexpected issues - many of which can involve your electrical system, which can be tricky to diagnose. Then there is also the unpleasantness of having a wet trunk, a latch that won’t properly open, and even a trunk that won’t stay shut unless you use a bungee cord. So if your trunk or hatch is giving you trouble, it’s important to address it sooner than later.