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If this has been addressed previously, I apologize. I'm a new-to-me Lexus owner. And have since learned a very...very expensive mistake.
2015 nx200t F-Sport AWD Left side steering column Driver door panel Passenger side view of trunk Drivers side view of trunk
Straight to the point, how does one access the actuator to replace it ONLY from inside the SUV and really just need to know how to get the inside panel of trunk door off...or if its possible.
The following we have already addressed and we have already been to Lexus Service Dept.
- No, the key fobs provided by used car dealer do not have the trunk button (which we've learned the fobs we have are replacements intentionally replaced with no trunk button)
- No, The glove box does not have a trunk lock/unlock button
- No there's literally no trunk access lever to manually flip to be able to open the trunk
-No the hidden key within the fobs do not open , lock, unlock anything on the vehicle...because they're not genuine replacements.
- No trunk button to left or to the right of steering column.
- No owners manual physically included (downloaded online)
- Safe assumption that it is supposed to be a power lift gate
I have felt along the frame as much as possible. I can feel where the handles are but I can't locate the button for the trunk that is typically shown in images.
Here's what we've come to conclusion, the trunk was jammed shut, the Actuator is literally disconnected inside the walls of the trunk door. I can't get a better photo of inside the door than what I have provided.
We didn't check to see if the trunk door opened. Silly of us to assume all the doors function proper. We never even noticed the missing plastic cover missing from inside until 2 weeks after purchase. It took another 2 weeks to realize we had "got-gotten".
Husband is mechanically inclined, but has never worked on a Lexus. And we don't want to screw anything up more than what it is.
The trunk hasn't opened for 2 years based the records Lexus has.
If your vehicle was equipped with a power liftgate, a release switch would be located in the position indicated by the red circle in the attached image. For non-power liftgates, the (mechanical) release is item 2 in the image posted by ISNX.
The release-to-latch linkage may be broken or disconnected. The panel that has been removed in your last image provides access to the latch, but you have to know what sort of tool to use, and precisely where. A dozen "donuts" (a form of currency up here in New England) donated to the technicians at your local dealership (preferably in the morning) will typically result in some instructions from an individual who actually knows how.
According to the service instructions, the liftgate must be open to remove the interior trim panels and access the latch mechanism.
In the image where red circle is indicated, we are quite confident that this has been switched out and that it originally came with a trunk release. As is the same with the key fob.
The trunk hatch handle above license plate does have both the buttons as the image you shared indicates. You can "hear" it trying to function but that's about it.
Ultimately, the conclusion of the trunk door needing to be open to access the actuator was what we ultimately assumed would need to take place but were really very hopeful that maybe there was a way around it, lol.
Speculation:
The conclusion was that something smashed into the trunk or it was somehow jammed shut....but not "all the way". This would cause the safety alert sound and signal to activate that the trunk door was still "open". Previous owner got in there and disconnected however they could manage to get the alert sound to stop.
And only because 1 time while driving, the alert that the door was open, had started when we were driving. And we had never gotten the trunk door to open.
Well, I thank you for the information. Prompt response was much appreciated!
I found the emergency liftgate latch release instructions on Page 124 of the 2015 NX Owners' Manual. Refer to attached image below.
The manual and power latch mechanisms are distinctly different. Perhaps, with the help of a phone "selfie attachment", you can obtain a photo that resembles one of the drawing options, so we can determine what liftgate latch is installed.
It is not as easy as you infer to "switch out" just the power liftgate dashboard button. The entire row of 4 buttons is a single assembly (see 2nd attached photo, shot from the rear); it is not possible to replace just the liftgate button with a blank.
It appears to me the "Premium Package" is required to obtain a power liftgate. This seems to apply to both Base and F-Sport versions.
After I posted question, husband came inside and seems to have visually confirmed what you stated. He could see the connection sites for what he assumed would be for the optional power lift gate.
What a mess
. Thanks for all of the information! I think that we will be looking to trade and cut our losses on this one. 🫤
A previous owner deliberately prevented any access whatsoever to the trunk area, which seems odd because the seats' back rests can be flipped forward.
I wonder what might be hidden in the spare wheel bay or next to the battery...
A previous owner deliberately prevented any access whatsoever to the trunk area, which seems odd because the seats' back rests can flipped forward.
I wonder what might be hidden in the spare wheel bay or next to the battery...
We actually pulled everything out we could in the trunk area down to spare tire and the side panels (that are easily removed with those plastic round...."button" things". Just empty.
Truly, I think since the conclusion now is that it was a manual lift gate....something screwed up the actuator....most likey by accident and the previous owner could t afford to have it fixed so just disconnected the wires that creates the constant "ding" safety alert. And then traded in the vehicle.
Then why did he switch the key fobs for ones without the trunk release buttons? That seems like quite a hassle.
🤣🤣seriously, it's the same points I was trying to make with my husband about this whole trunk situation. So, it was either the car owner.....or the Toyota dealership who sold the car to this local used car lot I bought from. It could've been a little bit of everyone involved. Toyota claims to have done a pre delivery inspection. Question is....did they ALERT used car lot purchasing agent about the trunk? Did they try to hide it?....
Either way this used car dealer we bought from had to of known about the trunk......
They're all shady.
Makes me want to ditch vehicles an buy a tandem bicycle 😅
To attempt to open the hatch you will need 2 persons:
A small individual to crouch in the spare tire well and operate the manual latch release with a screwdriver;
A burly adult to simultaneously push up and out on the hatch from inside. A piece of cardboard can be used to protect the trim panel.
Troubleshooting Trunk Door Actuator
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