Trunk opens without key fob present.
 

I am the new owner of a 2015 ES350 and I've found that my trunk can be opened using the button under the trunk lip even when I don't have the key fob in my possession (my 2014 Dodge Charger does the same thing). Can anybody tell me if this is normal and how to prevent anybody without the key fob in their possession from accessing my trunk? T.I.A.

If the car is locked, then the trunk should not open without the key. If the car is unlocked, the fob does not need to be present to open it.

this is not true! My key fob has to be present to open the trunk with the outer button, whether the doors are locked or not.

The trunk will not open by the handle under the trunk lid without the key being present. This is whether the car is locked or unlocked. The key must be in proximity of the trunk for it to open. I don't know if this could be changed in settings where a key is not necessary.

Interesting, thanks for the correction guys. I guess I incorrectly assumed the ES was the same as my RX and IS, which allow entry into the hatch/trunk without the key nearby when the doors are unlocked.

However, page 99 of the 2016 ES owner's manual, in the "Opening the trunk from outside the vehicle" section, it states:

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do...f/OM33B64U.pdf

Update: I looked at the personalized settings menu for the ES and found that there is no setting where the trunk can be opened without the key being present.

You could be right then JDR. I was looking at the 2013 and maybe it was changed for 2015-16.

It can be changed via setting - here is the log from my Carista App. The one we are talking about is:

Unlock trunk when doors are unlocked
*ON* / OFF

The following settings were available specifically to your vehicle using Carista:


Doors / Windows / Remote:

Blink turn signals when locking/unlocking with remote
*YES* / NO

Beep when locking/unlocking with remote
*YES* / NO

Volume of beep when locking/unocking with remote
OFF / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / *5* / 6 / MAX

Beep when opening/closing windows with remote
*YES* / NO

Warn when door can't be locked with remote because it's open
*YES* / NO

Warn when a window is still open when locking doors
*YES* / NO

Warn when sunroof is still open when locking doors
*YES* / NO

Panic function on remote
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Open trunk lid with remote
SINGLE CLICK / DOUBLE CLICK / *LONG PRESS* / VERY LONG PRESS / DISABLED

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door
*YES* / NO

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door within…
30 SECONDS / *60 SECONDS* / 120 SECONDS

Unlock doors via remote
*DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND* / ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS

Unlock doors via physical key
*DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND* / ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS

Unlock doors via smart key (door handle button)
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / *ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS*

Auto-lock doors when moving
ON / *OFF*

Lock doors when shifting into gear
*ON* / OFF

Unlock doors when shifting into park (P)
*ON* / OFF

Unlock all doors when driver's door is opened
ON / *OFF*

Unlock trunk when doors are unlocked
*ON* / OFF

After locking with smart key, allow re-opening within…
0.5 SECONDS / 1.5 SECONDS / *2.5 SECONDS* / 5 SECONDS

Smart key location to start car
FRONT SEATS / *ANYWHERE IN VEHICLE*

Unlock trunk when smart key in range
*YES* / NO

Open windows and sunroof by holding key in door lock
*ON* / OFF

Close windows and sunroof by holding key in door lock
*ON* / OFF

Open windows and sunroof via long-press on remote
*ON* / OFF

Auto fold side-view mirrors (req. power folding mirrors)
WITH IGNITION / *WITH DOOR LOCKS* / DISABLED

Lower passenger-side mirror when in reverse gear (req. memory seats)
DEFAULT / *USER-SPECIFIED*


Instruments / Display / Dings:

Engine start indicator
*ON* / OFF

Display odometer after ignition is turned off for…
*30 SECONDS* / 1 MINUTE / 10 MINUTES / OFF

Ding when headlights are left on
*YES* / NO

Seat belt warning ding (driver)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Seat belt warning ding (front passenger)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Turn signal click volume
LOW / *MEDIUM* / HIGH

Lane-change turn signal auto-flasher count
OFF / *3 FLASHES* / 5 FLASHES / 7 FLASHES

Remote low battery warning
*ON* / OFF


Lights:

Daytime running lights
*ON* / OFF

Coming-home lights duration
*OFF* / 30 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS / 90 SECONDS

Auto headlights activation threshold
DARKEST / DARKER / *NORMAL* / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Turn on marker lights when vehicle is unlocked via remote
*ON* / OFF

Instrument lights dimming sensitivity
DARKEST / DARKER / *NORMAL* / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Instrument lights restoring sensitivity
DARKEST / DARKER / *NORMAL* / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Dim interior lights after…
7 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 30 SECONDS

Turn on interior lights when you shut off engine
*YES* / NO

Turn on interior lights when you unlock doors
*YES* / NO

Turn on interior lights when smart key in range
*YES* / NO

Interior footlight (bright when doors open, dim when driving)
*YES* / NO

Turn on interior door-handle & center console lights dimly (flood lights) when ignition is on and shifter is not in park (P)
*YES* / NO

Turn on exterior footlight (on side mirror) when smart key in range
*YES* / NO

Turn on exterior footlight (on side mirror) when doors unlocked via remote
*YES* / NO

Turn on exterior footlight (on side mirror) for…
OFF / 7 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 30 SECONDS

Interior light control
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Exterior light control
*ENABLED* / DISABLED


Heater & A/C:

Temperature dial calibration
-2°C / -1°C / *NORMAL* / +1°C / +2°C

Ambient temperature calibration
-3°C / -2°C / -1°C / *NORMAL* / +1°C / +2°C / +3°C

A/C ECO mode
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Auto-increase blower speed when front defroster is on
*YES* / NO

Auto-turn on A/C when AUTO button pressed (if needed)
YES / *NO*

Deactivate front defroster when AUTO button pressed
*YES* / NO

Fan speed reaches its target…
SLOWLY / *NORMALLY* / FAST


Other:

Roll down rear shade when in reverse gear
YES / *NO*

Delay for rolling down rear shade when in reverse gear
IMMEDIATE / *0.7 SECONDS* / 0.9 SECONDS / 1.2 SECONDS

Slide driver's seat back for easy exit
*OFF* / SHORT / STANDARD

Obtained with Carista 2.6.1 for Android.
Download app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...rizmos.carista
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caristaapp

Can't do it with my 2013...

dealer setting/change it appears (or with the use of the Carista app) but not something that can be changed from within the nav/vehicle settings.

My new 2015 ES 350 behaves like what you said here.
If only the driver door is unlocked, I can't open the trunk. If all doors are unlocked, I can open the trunk without the fob.

JDR is absolutely correct. This is how our 2015 is configured. The key only needs to be present if the car is locked. What would be the reason otherwise, one could just open the car door and press the dash button.

Yes, this is what I have to do when washing my '13. I leave the key in the house, due to the constant locking/unlocking that occurs when I spray the door handles. To get in the trunk, I need to open the door and push the button.

My 2013 needs the key to be present to open the trunk from the outside, whether the doors are locked or unlocked. Also, Carista does not have the option to change this setting.

Bummer. I'm sure glad they fixed that, or at least made it optional for the 2015. That is just ridiculous.