Component

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

460 NHTSA complaints about latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock issues across 40 makes and 190 models.

The latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 460 filings from 40 manufacturers and 190 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 9 crashes, 5 fires, 60 injuries, and 6 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD FOCUS with 51 filings, followed by VOLKSWAGEN JETTA and HONDA ACCORD. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

460
Complaints
190
Models Affected
9
Crashes
5
Fires
6
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD FOCUS 51
2 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 14
3 HONDA ACCORD 13
4 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 13
5 HONDA CIVIC 11
6 DODGE INTREPID 11
7 TOYOTA CAMRY 10
8 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 9
9 MERCURY COUGAR 8
10 FORD TAURUS 8
11 CHRYSLER CONCORDE 8
12 CHEVROLET IMPALA 7
13 BUICK LESABRE 7
14 TOYOTA COROLLA 6
15 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 6
16 CHRYSLER CIRRUS 6
17 CHEVROLET MALIBU 6
18 TOYOTA AVALON 5
19 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 5
20 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 5
21 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY 5
22 SATURN SL 4
23 PONTIAC GRAND AM 4
24 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 4
25 NISSAN ALTIMA 4
26 FORD MUSTANG 4
27 DODGE NEON 4
28 CHEVROLET CRUZE 4
29 BUICK CENTURY 4
30 TOYOTA PRIUS 3

Recent Complaints

2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery

2014 HYUNDAI SONATA

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the trunk manually using the key fob; however, the trunk intermittently fail

2023 GMC SIERRA 1500

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with a Roll-N-Lock tonneau cover. The contact stated that the tonneau cover failed to lock and latch securely since the vehicle was purchased brand new

2017 KIA RIO

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to open the trunk with the key fob, the trunk failed to unlock or open. In addition, the contact engaged the emergency gear, a

2023 TESLA MODEL Y

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while parked and the truck was opened, the truck closed on the child's head inadvertently. The contact stated that on another occasion while p

2016 FORD MUSTANG

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V082000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contac

2017 FORD MUSTANG

My 2017 Mustang Convertible gave no warning to suddenly have no access to the trunk. The key fob doesn't open it. The inside button does not work. The seat doesn't fold down. There is no actual key ho

2014 DODGE DART

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the trunk opened independently. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred after starting the v

2019 LINCOLN MKC

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2019 LINCOLN MKC. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRUNK FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE LIFTGATE AJAR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INS

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE STATIONARY, THE TRUNK INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCHED AND OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT D

2015 NISSAN ALTIMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR HOOD DOOR WAS UNSECURED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MUL

1999 MERCEDES-BENZ S420

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL AND VACUUM SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. TH

2006 CHEVROLET HHR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE

2017 KIA RIO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSE

2018 CHEVROLET IMPALA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED HOWEVER, FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY AND OPENED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARL BL

2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS STILL ABLE TO LIFT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAPAUGH MOTORS (LOCATED AT 14

2014 HYUNDAI ACCENT

2014 HYUNDAI ACCENT GS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY ISSUE, VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL SAFETY TRUNK RELEASE. *AS *JS THE CONSUMER TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE TO A FAMI

2006 JEEP LIBERTY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK OF HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V072000 (LATCHES/L

2012 FORD FUSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRUNK OPENED AND THE TRUNK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOS

2013 FORD FOCUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SECURED THE TRUNK, AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE FAILU

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock issues?
The NHTSA has received 460 complaints about latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock problems across 190 vehicle models from 40 manufacturers.
How dangerous are latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock defects?
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK issues have been linked to 9 crashes, 5 fires, 60 injuries, and 6 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock issues is the FORD FOCUS with 51 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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