Manually open hatch/trunk when battery is dead - NX450h
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 855
I actually just had to go through this when my 12v completely drained. I've only had my NX 450h+ for 6 months and it was already the second time the 12v drained and first time it drained to a point that jumping it by the proxy terminals under the hood did not work. It was such a pain as I had to first fiddle with the driver door key cover to unlock the door with a key, remove a car seat in the back, crawl through the trunk, and remove the liftgate puddle light to then manually open the liftgate (Lexus should've just added a keyhole on the liftgate!). And the reason I had to do all this was because the jump and trickle charger were all ineffective.
After the jump from under the hood failed, I used a weaker trickle charger I had laying around to try to bring the battery back to life. When that didn't work, I went out and got a Noco Genius10 from a local store to give it more juice. That didn't work either.... When it was connected through the proxy terminals under the hood, it started making all sorts of clicking and whirling sounds, but never charged beyond the first indicator bar even after a few hours. I determined that the car was drawing more power than the charge (even though the Noco Genius10 is supposedly a strong charger) so I went to the trunk to disconnect the terminals from the battery and plugged the charger to the battery alone. This was the only way to bring it back to life without a tow.
Luckily, the 12v died while it was in my garage. But now I have a fear that it could die while I'm out and about. I shouldn't have to regularly keep it on the trickle charge, right??
Still have no idea what's causing the 12v battery leak. My next step is to bring it in to the dealer for the 6 month service and let them assess whether a 12v replacement is needed.
After the jump from under the hood failed, I used a weaker trickle charger I had laying around to try to bring the battery back to life. When that didn't work, I went out and got a Noco Genius10 from a local store to give it more juice. That didn't work either.... When it was connected through the proxy terminals under the hood, it started making all sorts of clicking and whirling sounds, but never charged beyond the first indicator bar even after a few hours. I determined that the car was drawing more power than the charge (even though the Noco Genius10 is supposedly a strong charger) so I went to the trunk to disconnect the terminals from the battery and plugged the charger to the battery alone. This was the only way to bring it back to life without a tow.
Luckily, the 12v died while it was in my garage. But now I have a fear that it could die while I'm out and about. I shouldn't have to regularly keep it on the trickle charge, right??
Still have no idea what's causing the 12v battery leak. My next step is to bring it in to the dealer for the 6 month service and let them assess whether a 12v replacement is needed.
YMMV,
MidCow3
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 855
So I have had a battery tender for about 10 years and it is worked perfect on my storage cars. Now I have a second storage car, the NX, so I bought a Noco Genius 10 and it is very, very nice.
Good Luck and charge on
YMMV,
midCow3
Good Luck
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
Manually Open the Rear Hatch 2022 to 2026 NX, NX350h or NX450h
Use a flat head screw driver to pop open the plastic cover (with LED). You will see a L-shape White Plastic. If you can't turn the L-Shape Plastic anti-clockwise, loosen the screw that is screwed on to the plastic. Once it is moved, you will see a metal level. Push it to the right and it will release the hatch.
2nd gear
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I’m interested in doing the same so thanks in advance for your help. I’m a noob so have a lot of questions.
Where did you know to drill the hole?
How did you snake the wire there? Did you do it under all the panelling in the trunk? I was looking and wasn’t sure how I’d get it to the charging panel.
How does the door close without the trickle charger outlet getting in the way?
would you have a few more images showing what it looks like? No worries if you don’t.
Again, thanks for your help!
Where did you know to drill the hole?
How did you snake the wire there? Did you do it under all the panelling in the trunk? I was looking and wasn’t sure how I’d get it to the charging panel.
How does the door close without the trickle charger outlet getting in the way?
would you have a few more images showing what it looks like? No worries if you don’t.
Again, thanks for your help!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 296
Likes: 101
From: CA
Use a flat head screw driver to pop open the plastic cover (with LED). You will see a L-shape White Plastic. If you can't turn the L-Shape Plastic anti-clockwise, loosen the screw that is screwed on to the plastic. Once it is moved, you will see a metal level. Push it to the right and it will release the hatch.
I have a quick disconnect that is connected to the 12V Battery that runs up and out by the First Aid storage pocket which connects to my Trickler that I run through the back hatch or if I need to boost it from my portable booster.
2nd gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Can't move the latch all the way to unlock trunk
First time completely dead 12V (2024 NX450h+). Accessed from inside, removed the center panel as shown above, counter clockwise rotated the plastic cover and exposed the latch. I can move the latch maybe a quarter inch to the right with finger, but it hit something and won't move further. The trunk is still locked. Any insight? Thank you
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 407
From: Ontario
If you are trying to access the battery in the trunk to boost your car, you don't need to. Look in the manual. Under the hood in the fuse box is the contact point for a boost. Just make sure you put the -ve cable from whatever booster you use far away from the black box beside the fuse panel. Again, do a search here, simple to do.
Have you tried calling Lexus Roadside Assistance?
Have you tried calling Lexus Roadside Assistance?
2nd gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thank you. It is in my garage head in, was trying to get a neighbor to jump start but the cable is not long enough for the front hood. I managed to open the battery cover in the trunk so the cable goes in from driver side rear door, just long enough to hook up and jump. Now I am sitting at Lexus dealership for an emergency appt. When I called Lexus, they mentioned they could tow it and tow is covered because the battery is under warranty. I still don't understand why I couldn't move the latch if it's designed for dead battery situation.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 407
From: Ontario
Ah, ok, makes sense then.
Still, ya might want to invest in a booster battery and store that in your center console. Unfortunately, that's an "accessory" we should all have. That and a small 12V air pump. I keep that in my trunk.
Still, ya might want to invest in a booster battery and store that in your center console. Unfortunately, that's an "accessory" we should all have. That and a small 12V air pump. I keep that in my trunk.