Tesla Model 3 Rear Trunk Won’t Open (Issue Solved)

You are coming from the supermarket and bringing groceries. You are to put the groceries in your car trunk. But your Tesla Model 3 rear trunk is not opening. It’s quite frustrating and annoying. Many Tesla owners have reported this trouble.

I can understand how it feels to stuff your goods among the passengers in your car. As the trunk has failed, we need to solve this issue. 

I have done a lot of research to help you to get out of this trouble and this article will assist you in a better way to examine the issue  

Let’s initiate our article…

How To Fix Tesla Model 3 rear trunk won’t open

I’ll give you thorough details on the causes and potential remedies for your problem. I’ll now go over each of them individually.

1. A faulty trunk lock

This is another significant factor in your Tesla Model 3’s rear trunk becoming stuck. It’s possible that it becomes blocked or that one of the internal mechanisms fails. So the trunk lock is no longer activated. In this instance, you can hear the activation noise, but nothing happens.

Solutions:

1. You need to check your Tesla’s truck door lock for any damage or signs of malfunctioning. If you find any, you would need to fix it or replace the lock. You would need professional help to fix or replace your lock.
2. You would need to open the trunk to investigate your trunk lock. There is a manual release option with which you can open the trunk.

• You have to search for a small access panel in the trunk, typically on the left side. The emergency trunk release cable can be seen by removing the panel.
• You should pull the emergency release cable firmly to manually unlock the trunk latch after you’ve gained access to it. By doing so, you should be able to release the lock mechanism and access the trunk.

2. Cinching actuator that has seized:

The Tesla Model 3 warns you when the cinch actuator malfunctions by beeping three times when you click the trunk button, but nothing happens.

If the actuator is seized, you’ll have problems with the rear trunk opening. Any broken or damaged component could be the cause of your issue. The key fob, physically opening the rear trunk, or using the lever will not work.

Solution:

You can resolve this issue by having skilled mechanics swap out the old actuator with a new one. Getting it changed right away is not the best course of action. 

You might choose from the following alternative approaches:

1. To manually open the trunk for this use, you should use the emergency release mechanism within. Once the trunk has been opened, you should close it before attempting to use the normal key fob or remote to unlock it.
2. The fuse for the latch or trunk should be checked in your Model 3’s fuse box, which is usually located under the hood or in the trunk. If you suspect any loose or blown fuse, you have to reconnect it tightly and or replace it with a new one with the same rattling.
3. Check the trunk operation once more after replacing the blown fuse with a new one of the same amperage.
4. You should check the trunk region for any physical obstructions that might prevent the actuator from operating correctly.
5. You must look for any debris, items, or loose parts that might be impeding the mechanism. You have to remove any obstacles before making another effort to open the trunk.
6. Poor lubrication or a buildup of dirt may cause your actuator to seize. You should apply the necessary silicone-based lubricant to the actuator mechanism following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

3. Issue with the connection wires:

This is another reason why your Tesla Model 3 rear trunk won’t open. Any damaging force or shocks have probably caused your connection wires to separate. You can estimate this issue if the identical wires-connected rear lights are not illuminated.

Solution:

The following are the solutions to the connection wire problems causing the trunk to stick on Tesla models.

1. You should visually inspect the wiring in the trunk first. Using a voltmeter, you should check the system for any signs of damage such as frayed or broken wires, loose connections, or corrosion.
2. You should make sure all of the cables are in good condition and firmly attached. If you find any broken wires, you have two options: replace them or attempt to repair the minor damage.

Follow the instructions for a secure and insulated connection.

1. You should remove the insulation from the damaged wire to create a more secure and insulated connection.
2. You must twist the exposed end together.
3. After that, you must wrap them in heat shrink tubing or electrical tape. 

However, if the damage is significant or if you don’t feel secure doing it yourself, it is recommended to have the wires fixed.

To remove the harness, follow these steps:

1. You must ensure that the harness is in the proper location and is not hindered by any moving parts, jagged edges, or other damage.
2. If necessary, you should reroute the harness to eliminate any potential hazards or sources of interference.
3. After inspecting and repairing any damaged cables, you should test the trunk operation to verify if the connection issues have been resolved.
4. You should use the interior button, touchscreen, or trunk controls on the key fob to open and close the trunk. 

4. Blockage:

If the rear trunk of your Tesla Model 3 is jammed and not opening, it could be because the lock has become clogged as a result of foreign objects getting caught inside. It prevents internal mechanisms from moving.

Solutions:

When you run into this problem, there aren’t many solutions.

1. You ought to use a blower to clean it.
2. You can remove the blockage with pliers.
3. To shield it from any external objects, you must have to use a plastic cover. 

5. Heightened resistance

Increased resistance to your car’s rear trunk motion may be the cause of your Tesla Model 3’s jammed trunk. You can expect this if the interior and external sections of the trunk have received less lubrication. Your lock becomes stuck as resistance increases.

Solutions:

To decrease the resistance, you should follow the given instructions:

1. Lubricating the components of your Tesla Model 3 rear trunk correctly with a quality lubricant is a straightforward solution for you.
2. You should properly lubricate the lock and apply lubricant spray to reduce resistance when opening or shutting the rear trunk.

Due to increasing resistance, this is the easiest technique to open a lock that has become stuck.

6. Software issues:

Software problems are one of the main reasons the rear trunk of the Tesla Model 3 not opening. A software update has taken place creating unnecessary trouble.

Your Tesla’s upgrades always happen OTA (over the air). On occasion, software upgrades result in issues with your entire Tesla’s electrical system.

Solutions:

You can conduct a hard reset, update the software, and reset the infotainment system, Soft reset is one of the potential options I will recommend.

The infotainment system should first be rebooted using the steps outlined below:

• To do this, you should make sure that your car is parked.
• Press and hold both steering-wheel scroll buttons.
• When the screen turns black, you should let go of the scroll wheels.
• The computer then restarts, and you wait. 
• It might not take long to complete this procedure. After the reboot is complete, you should test the trunk lock to see if the issue has been resolved.

Your Tesla Model 3’s software update procedure is not too difficult to do. 

Here’s a how-to manual to walk you through the procedure:

• You should make sure your Tesla Model 3 is initially linked to a reliable Wi-Fi network. 
• Go to the main menu.
• Now tap on the software.
• Now tap on check for update.
• If any is available, tap on download and install it.
• Your Tesla Model 3 will restart after the installation is finished, and the most recent software version will be used.

Follow these procedures to do a hard reset on a Tesla Model 3 to reset the car’s systems and perhaps fix software issues:

• Make sure your car is parked and turned off.
• Open the hood, and disconnect the battery terminals. 
• Wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Reconnect the terminals carefully.

7. Ill or dead battery:

Your Tesla Model 3 rear trunk not opening is frequently caused by a bad or dead battery.

When you start the car and get inside, you may see this. However, it won’t start, ensuring that your Tesla’s battery is dead.

Solutions:

If the trunk of your Tesla Model S is stuck because of a dead or damaged battery, there are a few steps you may take to solve the issue.

• To fix this, you should try using jumper cables and a different vehicle with a charged battery to jump-start the 12V battery. Now keep your car turned on and let your battery fully charge.
• If your battery is damaged, you may need to replace it with a new one.

8. Alignment of the trunk door

A malfunctioning trunk fitting may be the cause of your Tesla Model 3 rear trunk won’t open. Your trunk’s components, which open and close frequently, are severely harmed by misalignment. And this makes the situation even more unsettling.

Solutions:

1. You should look for any visible signs of alignment problems on the vehicle, such as gaps or uneven spacing between the body and the trunk door. You should verify whether the trunk door is level, high, or low. If you suspect any fault, you should take your car to a mechanic to fix this issue.

Follow the instructions for hinge issues: 

• You should locate the hinge points on the rear trunk door and the hinge points on the car’s body.
• You should remove the bolts or screws holding the hinges and make the necessary adjustments to align the trunk door appropriately.
• After making each little adjustment, you must recheck the alignment before moving on.
• After achieving the proper alignment, tighten the nuts or screws firmly.

Follow these measures if you have a weatherstripping problem: 

1. Inspect the weatherstripping on the trunk door.
2. You must replace any worn or broken components.
3. You should make sure the weather stripping is firmly seated and forms a tight seal when the trunk door is closed.

You can get a complete guide through this video. Watch it out:

Final Observations

In this article, I have discussed all the possible causes and their possible solutions for this problem.

I have included detailed explanations of these issues and  solutions, which include:

• A clutch actuator that has seized.
• A rise in resistance.
• A wiring connection problem.
• A broken trunk lock.
• Obstruction.
• update software.
• Misaligned trunk.
• Poor battery

If you have queries regarding this article,  you can contact me. I will try my best to give you the proper assistance

If my Tesla Model 3 isn’t powered, how can I open the trunk?

In case of an emergency, your Tesla is fitted with a mechanical release button that opens the rear trunk. On the interior of the trunk, the door is where you’ll find this button.

Where can I find the trunk release of my Tesla Model 3?

In this model, it can be accessed through the touch screen display inside the car.

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