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Toyota RAV4 Trunk Not Working

A trunk that just won’t work is, unfortunately, a common issue that affects all makes and models of vehicles. What’s even worse is that there are a few different things that can cause a trunk to not work as it is designed to.

Because of this, you could find yourself trying several different troubleshooting steps before you find the one that works for you. 

The most common cause of a Toyota RAV4 trunk not working is that the lock actuator has malfunctioned. This small, yet important piece is what keeps the trunk door from unlatching when the trunk is locked. 

White SUV view of back door trunk

The lock actuator is a small piece that controls the lock on your vehicle’s trunk. It consists of a small motor and gears. It works by shifting the gears to prevent the trunk’s latch from releasing when you lock it.

If, however, the lock actuator malfunctions or dies, it cannot lock or unlock the trunk, causing the Toyota RAV4 trunk not to work. 

The lock actuator will need to be replaced as soon as possible. For those people who have worked on their vehicle themselves, you should have no problem replacing the part. If, however, you are not comfortable replacing this piece, reach out to a trusted mechanic and make an appointment for your vehicle. 

Toyota RAV4 Trunk Not Opening All The Way

SUV back door trunk door open

If your Toyota RAV4 trunk won’t open all the way, it will quickly become a burden, making it difficult to transport items to and from your home. While the issue is problematic, it is something you can fix yourself rather quickly. 

When a Toyota RAV4 trunk doesn’t open all the way, the issue is usually due to the lifegate not being set at its maximum height. Thankfully, you can correct this problem by resetting the lifegate. 

To reset the lifegate, you must first make sure the lifegate is open but not moving. Then press and hold the close button. This button is typically on the door jam of the lifegate and can only be accessed once the lifegate is open. Once you find the button, press it and keep it held down until you hear 4 beeps.

There will be a short pause, but make sure to keep the button held down even during this pause. Keep holding the button until it beeps 2 more times and then release it. Close the lifegate. The lifegate is now reset and will open all the way. 

Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Apr 2, 2022. .

Toyota RAV4 Trunk Not Opening

Back view of SUV rear tail light

Nothing may be more frustrating than a Toyota RAV trunk that won’t close, except for maybe one that won’t open. When the vehicle’s trunk refuses to open, it takes away one of the main selling points that the RAV4 has to offer. 

If your Toyota RAV4 trunk isn’t opening, one common issue is a malfunctioning trunk latch or actuator. Over time, these parts can wear out or become misaligned. To fix this, inspect the latch and actuator for any visible damage or misalignment, and replace the faulty component if necessary.

Another reason for the Toyota RAV4 trunk not opening could be due to a blown fuse. Fuses protect the electrical circuits in your vehicle, and if the fuse associated with the trunk release mechanism is blown, the trunk won’t open. Locate the fuse box, often under the dashboard or in the engine compartment, and replace the fuse specific to the trunk release.

A further potential cause is a dead car battery. If the battery is dead or very low, the electrical systems in the RAV4, including the trunk release, might not function. In such cases, jump-starting the car or replacing the battery should solve the problem and allow you to open the trunk.

Toyota RAV4 Trunk Not Closing

Back view of SUV rear tail light

One of the features of the Toyota RAV4 is the abundance of trunk space, which means plenty of room to haul stuff. When the trunk doesn’t close, however, that can quickly leave you wanting to pull your hair out. After all, how are you expected to keep your stuff from falling out if the trunk won’t close properly?

The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Apr 2, 2022..

When a Toyota RAV 4 trunk won’t close, the issue is usually caused by a blocked or damaged lock. It’s not uncommon for trunk locks to become blocked or even damaged, which prevents the trunk from closing up tight.

If you suspect the issue is with the lock, inspect the locking mechanisms to see if it is stuck in the open position. Use your fingers to try to free a stuck lock. It can take several tries to work the lock free.

Check to ensure there are no foreign objects or debris that may be blocking the lock from functioning properly. If you notice a buildup of dirt and grime, use an old toothbrush and warm soapy water to scrub the lock clean.

For stubborn stuck locks, spray a bit of WD40 on the lock to help loosen it. The WD40 is a lubricant that can help get a stuck lock moving freely. If that doesn’t work, then the entire locking mechanism may be damaged and will require replacing. 

Toyota RAV4 Trunk Stuck

SUV back door trunk door open

A stuck trunk is not only an annoyance, it can become a safety hazard if the trunk is stuck in an open position. While there is no easy fix for a stuck trunk, it is something that can be dealt with by a trusted mechanic. 

When the Toyota RAV4 trunk is stuck, the issue is usually due to cut or damaged wires or wiring harness. When these wires become damaged, they can create a slew of electrical problems and even interfere with the trunk’s ability to function properly.

The wires or wiring harness of the vehicle’s trunk can become locked due to damage from force or normal wear and tear. This will cause the trunk release handle to not function as it is designed to. When this occurs, you may also notice the rear lights have issues as well.

This is because they are connected to the same wiring harness as the trunk. The wiring and/or wiring harness will need to be replaced to correct this problem.

If the trunk is completely stuck and you cannot open it using the normal methods, there are some ways around this problem. The lock actuator has malfunctioned. This piece is what controls the lock on your vehicle’s trunk.

It consists of a small motor and gears. It works by shifting the gears to prevent the trunk’s latch from releasing when you lock it. If, however, the lock actuator malfunctions or dies, it cannot lock or unlock the trunk.

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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Apr 2, 2022 and last updated on .