You have no idea how often you use your car’s trunk. It is the most reliable component of the car that transports the majority of your life. The trunk serves as a storage space for various items in our everyday lives, from the baby’s stroller to the monthly Target run.
But what if you have something in your hands, and the trunk lid would not budge? You can feel irritated after packing your belongings among the car’s occupants and wondering why the trunk did not work and what you needed to do to fix it.
We have looked at why incidents like this occur, particularly with the Subaru Outback. You will feel more prepared if something were to occur to you due to this.
Your Subaru Outback’s trunk may not open for several reasons. Dead batteries, damaged or malfunctioning trunk latches, and key fob issues are some of the most frequent difficulties.
Stay with us as we look more closely at why this could occur and what to do to discover your remedy. Any of these problems might leave you feeling irritated.
Problems and Solutions
You will need to ascertain the root of the problem before addressing it and having the trunk opened.
1. A dead battery
A dead battery usually happens when you least expect it! Having a dead battery never occurs at an opportune moment. My buddy, you are looking at a dead battery if you are standing outside your car and discover that the whole vehicle will not open and not only the trunk has shut you out.
Older Subaru models are useful since the doors also have manual locking. Unfortunately, the most recent versions only feature an automated locking mechanism and do not allow manual locks.
If you can get into your vehicle and test the ignition, you will see that a dead battery prevents the engine from starting.
What should I do?
To begin with, make sure you and your passengers are secure and away from any major streets or traffic. The automobile battery has to be charged next. Make the cavalry a call now!
The greatest moment to ask your friends and family for favors is now. They can help you jump-start your automobile and recharge your battery.
Jumper cables are a must to always have on hand, but because they are often kept in the trunk (which you cannot access), this advice is quite worthless. Therefore, be sure to have some jumper cables available when you get assistance.
Start your friends’ car’s engine, let it run for a bit, then reconnect the leads to the battery’s appropriate ports (positive to positive and negative to negative). This should provide your car with enough power to open the doors.
Start your car once you are inside, and you may cut the jumper wires. It would help if you drove your Subaru far after this to assist with the battery recharge.
If you are familiar with engines and cars, you should investigate the cause. Since car batteries typically last long, running flat should not be common. You may ensure all power is off before getting out of the car to help.
Radio, lights, air conditioning, and other devices might drain your Subaru Outback’s battery, leaving you stranded again.
2. A broken trunk latch or lock
It is never a good thing when the trunk lock breaks! This could be the problem if a dead battery has been ruled out. Although it is rare, it may happen to Subaru Outbacks.
Numerous factors may cause locks and latches to malfunction. The trunk locking mechanism may have been damaged by repeated use, forcefully shutting the trunk, or even by driving on very rough terrain.
You can see the following if your latch is broken:
- Even if the trunk is still closed after pushing the release button, you will hear a click.
- The release button may not always work.
- The latch may repeatedly open and shut when attempting to unlock the trunk, making a constant clicking noise.
What should I do?
A damaged lock has to be replaced first. To be certain that this is the problem, you must first find the locking mechanism. What is the sense of mending something that is not broken?
You will need to remove a piece of the Outback’s paneling to find the lock and check whether it is stuck or damaged. You could do better doing it at home or hiring an expert to check it over for you since this is a bit of work.
You will need to purchase and install a new lock if the problem is with the current one.
3. A Key FOB Problem
A key FOB is standard equipment with most cars, and the Subaru Outback is no exception. Your vehicle will open and start when you use the FOB. It is not a battery issue if you discover that your car starts without a problem.
The trunk lock is likely not damaged if you do not hear it click.
Now, a vehicle FOB’s life may be intriguing. It could be squeezed in the back of your trousers or rolling about in your purse, but either way, these little items are prone to harm. As a result, we may assume that it is the FOB itself.
Batteries that need to be changed, loose wiring within the FOB, or reprogramming are the three major reasons for FOB failure.
What should I do?
To start, you must figure out what is causing the FOB to malfunction. If you are having trouble with the batteries, I recommend starting with a new one. If that does not work, it could be worthwhile to see an expert.
If you are sure, you may check the wiring or consider resetting the FOB yourself, but your neighborhood garage can provide assistance if you are unsure.
Liftgate Problems
For the liftgate on your Subaru to function properly again, you may need to go through the reset procedure. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to reset the system, see below:
- To unlock the trunk, use the button on the back gate. It may be necessary to push the button repeatedly or while holding it in.
- Lift the back gate.
- Pull down and manually shut the back gate after it begins to close (this should be automated).
- Even though the process of resetting ought to be over, you may want to test it to be sure.
Our advice is to seek expert assistance if you are still experiencing issues since there may be something else underneath.
FAQs
How can I manually open the trunk of my Subaru Outback?
Your Subaru Outback may be manually opened. Pull down the rear seats to reveal the little plastic square by the latch; this may be raised upward to manually open the hatch.
Please be aware that this should only be used in an emergency and should not be used often as it might cause harm.
How can I reset the liftgate on my Subaru?
There is step-by-step instruction on how to reset the tailgate, as was already indicated. However, there is another method to reset it.
How much liquid space does a Subaru Outback have?
When the liftgate is open, press and hold the rear liftgate closure button until it beeps four times, hold this button in place for a while, then release it. The liftgate ought should be ready to shut at this point.
Why is the power liftgate closed?
If you are at a location with a lower ceiling than normal, having the ability to switch off the liftgate might be useful. The liftgate can open to a 3/4 setting but will not extend all the way.
How is a power liftgate function?
An automated hatch that can open and shut is a power liftgate. You may turn it on by depressing a button on your key FOB or inside the vehicle. If your Subaru is an older model, the liftgate will only operate when the car is unlocked.
Conclusion
There are many potential reasons why the trunk of your Subaru Outback may not open, including a dead battery, a broken key fob, or even a jammed latch. Identifying each of the three problems is fast and simple, allowing you to deal with having them fixed and getting back on the road.
We hope we can point out the problem with your Subaru Outback trunk. Finding a problem with your car, much less one in a location that is so often utilized, is the worst thing that can happen!
This error almost always occurs when you have a lot of shopping bags in your hands. Thus there is never a good moment for it to happen.
I hope this essay has clarified the potential causes of these shortcomings and the best way to address them. Even if you do not know cars, you can still complete all the advice above. However, you will need to see a technician if the issue continues.