2007 Camry Trunk Won't Stay Closed / Won't Close

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SYMPTOMS
Trunk fails to stay closed after using the trunk button or the key fob remote to unlock the Trunk
ROOT CAUSE
Black Rotary Actuator (for electronic opening of the trunk) in the Trunk Latch Assembly loses it's return tension, resulting in the Silver Unlock Actuator to become stuck on open, thus the trunk latch won't "catch" and the trunk won't stay closed
WORKAROUND
This should help you use the electronic
1. Remove covers
2. Remove Latch (not necessary, but makes Step 3 easier)
3. Shave (little at a time) the part of the Black Rotary Actuator which holds the Silver Unlock Actuator from returning to normal position
4. Before you shave too much, test it.
FIX & COST
Replacing the latch assembly… $280 ish for parts. Another 20 - 30 bucks for labor
Latch assembly is a dealer only part. No After Markets
//2020 UPDATE: Folks in the comments say DIY replacement with $25-$30 aftermarket part is available.

[@brendancrean1985]

Hi Kevin, your video is still helping people in 2022! Saved me from an awkward situation with the mother-in-law. Thanks!

[@KevinandMae1]

Love this. Glad it helped!

[@vathilaherath]

Hi Mr.Kevin, My dad came home from work today and told me about his car having this problem.So I looked around a bit and found your video. I bent that piece a tiny bit to the other side of the plastic and it worked out really well. Anyway I'm here to tell you that your video saved us from a lot of hassle. Great work, keep it up and stay safe.

[@brianlove6506]

Thanks so much for your help with this. We all love our older Camries because we can still fit a family of grown ups in them. Outstanding effort by you to solve this, video it and explain the details!

[@WestCoastIrk]

i had the same problem, tried to fix it, but ended up buying the latch on amazon for like 25 bucks, they are really easy to install and there are alot of step by step videos showing how to replace the whole thing. I went to a mechanic he wanted 350 bucks to fix it... did it myself for less than 30.

[@KevinandMae1]

Nice. Prices have come down a lot since I did the video.

[@hbdawnpatrol]

You are a rock star. It help me!!!! Mine is a 2007 Camry & It worked! . I didn’t have to shave mine, but as a 60 yr young female on vacay 2hrs from home; on a Sunday at Lowe’s hardware store my trunk “stuck’ I opened It & then it wouldn’t close. Drove to the vacation home & in 110* weather, in less than 5 mins I repaired the trunk didn’t have to wait till Monday for a Toyota dealer service & can now drive home. Relived. Thank you for sharing!

[@KevinandMae1]

You're welcome @Dawn!

[@JT-qz6kw]

You just saved me an enooooooormous boatload of stinky grief. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Social media content creator / influencer of the decade if you ask me.

[@ivanmagoci7864]

Wow i just moved that little thing and it works.... thanks a million!! ... im taking my wife on a vacation right now accros the country and at our hotel last night the trunk wouldnt close..... i just fixed it and my wife thinks im the smartest person in the world :)

[@SoftwareSavesMe]

Thank you for making this video! You saved me--I was stuck 30 miles from home with a trunk full of camera gear and not a bungee cord in sight. You got me home. . .where I'll mess with it tomorrow.

[@KevinandMae1]

so glad I could help you out!

[@Kashima024]

This just happened tonmy brother's Camry SE and I couldn't figure it out and once again KZbin comes to the rescue I appreciate it my dude 👍

[@damienrooney2757]

Instead of shaving off the plastic bit, bend the metal part it pushes against a few mm towards the plastic piece. So thank you for pointing to the actual fault 👍

[@zachmoneypenny]

Thanks for this video Kevin! Your post has saved me and others a ton of time and money for taking a simple fix out of the overpriced repair shops hands and fixing it ourselves, the way folks used to. Thanks again and God bless!

[@KevinandMae1]

You're welcome Zach!

[@EDCALHANDYMAN]

Zach Moneypenny thank yuo brother

[@goldenempress3339]

I have a 2008 , after seeing this I feel better , I was actually trying to tie it down some way to get home ! But this helps me to know , it will not cost me much ❤

[@StarRoseAngelic]

I thought damn why tf are the parts so high but then i realized you created this vid years ago lmao The part is now on amazon for like $20 so i think i'll try and replace the entire thing. Wish me luck! Thx for the vid.

[@michaellicata2525]

Thank you Kevin. The cause of my problem was a stuck latch due to the ball/braided cable end of the safety latch release, which broke off years ago and just now got lodged in the mechanism. I followed your video, poked around with the mechanism, and the ball/braided cable popped out. Saved $300. Toyota '08 Camry, 189,000 miles.

[@KevinandMae1]

Glad it helped Mike!

[@feliciaalas7193]

Thanks for the video, it was a great start. I ended up taking the unit off and opening it up. Inside where the gear and spring is at, I found that a plastic stop had broken off. The plastic stop purpose was to prevent the black plastic cam (the item that gets jammed) from going past where's it's needed. In fact, this is why it's getting stuck on the metal release you showed in your video. I used some alcohol to clean the pieces and super glue to glue the piece back, lubed it up and put two winds on the spring and put it back together (only two Phillips head). It work for now, we'll see how long it lasts. There maybe another way to prevent the black plastic cam from going to far without taking the unit apart, I may try that next time. By the way. The easy fix (manual) would be to turn off the electric opener. This can be accomplished without pulling any wires. Simply use the key from the fob in the trunk lock, turn it 90 degrees counter clockwise (so that the slot is horizontal). You will no longer be able to use the fob or the electric release on the trunk. You can continue to use the release next to the driver's seat and the emergency release inside the trunk. Once you pull the release several times to un-stick the plastic cam, you won't have any issues with it getting stuck since the electric motor will no longer push the cam and jam the lock open.

[@richardmorrissey5041]

As others have noted it costs less than $25 to buy the part from amazon and less than 10 minutes to replace even for someone as mechanically incompetent as myself. The dealer wanted a ton of money

[@sarwit91]

This helped me out just now -- It's freezing cold outside and seeing how it works helped me figure it out quick! Thanks!

[@myinttrading101]

LITERALLY ME RIGHT NOW! My dumbass pulled the cable because my fuel door wont open by the button so i usually have to pull the fuel door cable but instead pulled the wrong one, which was the trunk's and just screwed myself there!

[@joshrosa8164]

Thank you! My wife calls me from work saying my trunk won't close. She has a 2008 Camry. Worked great.

[@KevinandMae1]

you are welcome!

[@kqawiyy]

Thanks for posting this, I'm actually able to reliably close my trunk now by just using my house key to push the black actuator back into place instead of jiggling the release

[@jimj6916]

All of these car companies are a rip off for a 5 minute job.......U did great.....hope this helps out a lot of people.....:-)

[@fluxcap]

Another work around I discovered that doesn't require shaving material from that plastic part. Once the trunk is opened, pull and hold the emergency release lever, and push the remote button again. Holding the release lever moves the metal arm out of the way and allows the plastic piece to then circle all the way around when you hit the button again.

[@KevinandMae1]

Nice!

[@ptejas1]

This method fixed my trunk in 07 es350! Thanks man! Cheers!

[@joelexis8887]

My man thank you so much for this. I thank God for people like you!!!

[@KevinandMae1]

😀 grateful I could be helpful to someone!

[@Fuzzix222]

exactly the video I needed, fixed for free instead of paying the quoted $150 at a mechanic! Thanks so much!

[@e1d1s1]

Thanks. Your breakdown of how the mechanism worked helped me figure out the same problem on a Mazda3.

[@J71CHEVY]

Thank you! Another thing you can do is bend the little metal arm that comes in contact with the black plastic part that you just shaved. And if you shave/cut it down completely (like I did), you can still use your remote, BUT you'll have to hold down the "trunk button' TWICE to open the truck. Hold it down Once to unlock it Hold it down a Second time to make it pop up.

[@KevinandMae1]

awesome

[@jiggz16]

Thank you for posting saved me headache and the hot heat

[@waynehall3475]

Great video, I ordered the part from the dealer at the price you stated because I didn't have time to repair the latch. I may try to repair the latch and resell on internet. There are many new adhesives to repair plastic parts. Some don't work for certain plastics, but I will try baking soda and super glue or one of the commercial powder glues.

[@staceyistheone]

OMG! I'm a gurl and I did this! Thank you so MUCH! I'm thrilled with myself right now.

[@KevinandMae1]

glad it was useful!

[@paulamcdonald5446]

staceyistheone me too! Well done lady!

[@sarwit91]

SAME

[@GlobalDynamicsEureka]

Same here.

[@ECC86]

Thank you very much for posting this!! Such a big help. I never would have been able to figure this out on my own. Worked perfectly for my 2009 Camry.

[@KevinandMae1]

Eugenia Christina You're welcome Eugenia!

[@SHORTYDHT]

Thank you for this video I was at the super market for 45 mins! After I seen the video it took me 30 secs 👍🏼

[@KevinandMae1]

glad it helped!

[@paulamcdonald5446]

Well done, thank you so much!! Completely helpful and useful, happened to me on 2008 Camry SE at 137k miles, 2018. Wish I would have watched this before I took the bolts out and removed the latch assembly. For others, the plastic grommet on mechanical arm for the linkage to inside the car was also worn and broken, but connected at the time.

[@sherrilynhedling387]

You’re my hero! It worked! Saved us a trip to Toyota. 👍🏼😄

[@xInsaneJuggernautx]

Thank you so much for this!! Saved me a ton of trouble this morning

[@cassandra-show]

Trunk lock actuator is $21.89 on RockAuto now. Cheap to replace rather than carving up the busted OEM one.

[@chrisbaker4475]

Thank you! My trunk wouldn't close and you helped. My problem was that the latch part had something jammed into it and it was bent slightly out of place. But your video helped my immensely!

[@reservoirred101]

This was the same problem my 09 camry face, thanks for the vid, superhelpful!

[@tehalsingh2412]

Thank you so much for this video. Very helpful. I was able to fix my car’s trunk watching this video. Solved problem for Toyota Camry 2013

[@KevinandMae1]

you're welcome! Glad it helped

[@pegitita]

This was very helpful information to have when in a time pinch. Thank you for posting it.

[@dachness]

Thanks for posting this. Turns out my spring is so weak it won't reliable reset even after clearing the metal piece. So after I trimmed the piece I disconnected the electronics and am using manual until my replacement assembly comes in from Amazon.

[@jamaalscarlett7673]

Thank you for this video. You saved me a lot of aggravation and money.

[@monicaespino1966]

Thank you very much for this video! I was freaking out lol you saved me

[@sharkglider]

Finally, my trunk will close. Thanks so much.

[@Paladar97]

Thank you for the video, we were on the way to the airport when the trunk got stuck

[@yuyulaysummer]

I just fixed it. It worked!! Thanks a lot!

[@KevinandMae1]

yuyu lay you're welcome!

[@MrPandoman]

The reason the latch gets stuck behind the black plastic piece has nothing to do with tension. The cam travels too far because there is a plastic stop pin that is broken inside the housing that contains the rotating electronic actuator. Once I disassembled the entire assembly, I drilled a small hole through the black plastic housing and inserted a nail in place of where the plastic stop was broken. I had to cut the nail to about 1/4" length, and it's best to use one that has a larger head, which is inserted from the outside and glued in place. This fix makes it working like it was originally intended. One nail and you can save about $200.

[@resQnance]

This recently happened to me and I also found the stop notch was broken inside the black lock motor cover. I used a small PC motherboard screw inserted via drill hole through the black plastic housing, but I also glued a thick washer that didn't have too much wiggle room around the screw to ensure a wider distribution of force on the black cover.

[@mikeknussman4431]

I agree! I also found the cam stop/spring retainer under the driven gear within the actuator to be broken. This allows the cam to go to a position that prevents the latch linkage from fully closing. I used JB Weld to reattach the broken piece to the actuator housing. During reassembly you must preload the torsional spring on the gear by 1 turn. Twist the spring one turn and seat the spring tang on the gear notch, then install the gear and spring assembly into the housing and worm gear.

[@gregandmellissastephens166]

I ha v e a 2004 camry and the latch cost me $65 at the dealer. Big difference for three years older. Easy to replace.

[@joelzsheridancomedy3983]

Thanks man trunk was driving nuts.

[@jordanvasquez2846]

Thanks man this video really helped! And I was able to close my trunk.

[@ivangutierrez1662]

Thanks for the video youre a life saver

[@cormet55os28]

Nor should you!! Thanks for the tip btw

[@monirgrover]

It is so precise and helpful. Thank you so much.

[@s_koalabear7129]

This is helpful. I have a 2011 Lexus HS250H that has the same problem. I will definitely try to use your suggestion to save myself a few hundreds of dollars. Thanks for the video.

[@Talube101]

This video was a huge help. Thank you very much!

[@Walooploop]

Next vehicle, I'm buying a damn truck. Thanks for the vid, it helped.

[@carolyncolby8244]

I cannot thank you enough for this video!

[@shlgvabay7077]

So, do you have to manually unlock it few times to get it unstuck again? Whats the point of using the button on the key if we have to go back in the car and unstuck it every time? Still have to replace the part.

[@RR137G]

You can buy a new latch on eBay for 26.00 they are made in China but so far it has worked well.

[@bluerazzberry99]

i just removed the electronic part, idc about it, i put a bolt that fits perfect 5mm to keep the spring n parts centered like it was. maybe itll work, going to get a fastener tmrw so i can see

[@necrocarnal]

Awesome video that helped out today

[@bigblockchevy2294]

watched your video, then went and fixed my GF's trunk latch, now she thinks i'm the smartest person on the planet. thank you!

[@srosecor]

Great vid! Going to go try it on my trunk now

[@joselimon3640]

Great video!

[@HermanBustamanteJr]

Totally helpful video. Thanks. I will try your method to save some cash.

[@tasziachatellier4586]

Or just push on the left slid lever. The part that holds the ball for the glow in the dark tag. Seems like it has to be done each time. - I dont have anything to saw the metal, and would rather wait and replace the malfunction peice. This works for me so far...

[@costantinotony4748]

Thanks so much! Very helpful! It works!

[@TheCarrionShow]

Man thank you for this videos you did a perfect job explaining this. im going to try it on mine

[@KevinandMae1]

You're welcome!

[@KevinandMae1]

your welcome Dean, hope it helped!

[@imman4440]

It worked brother. Thank you so much

[@ohhijatt2708]

Thanks alot for the video 👌.. it just worked perfectly for me

[@markussolomon4414]

Excellent! video. just had this same problem and fixed it. Thanks!

[@cwgoforth]

Thank you, Kevin!!!

[@KevinandMae1]

Carl Goforth you're welcome Carl!

[@woleoni4794]

You save me hundreds of dollars.

[@threestaronesun]

What is that green yellow latch with running man logo for?

[@roboprofit2548]

Huge help. Thanks man!

[@anibalraymundo6155]

Dope dude ❤

[@michaeladonis3165]

Great video.. Question.. You said the root cause was due to loss of tension.. Have you tried to adjust the tension?

[@AG-re3qw]

My trunk won't close and when we look the little wire with the ball is broken I don't know if I have to replace the whole thing or just the reales cable

[@geraldandjackieshow7448]

Works thank you

[@rshutterbug47]

You Can Get A After Market For $29.00 on Amazon

[@KevinandMae1]

Yep. Nice to see prices coming down.

[@slowmowfit]

What do you need to shave the ball?

[@JQUiK84]

A1 auto parts KZbin shows how to install it you have alot of corrosion maybe the weather

[@jamescc2010]

My corolla has a big gap on the right side of the trunk when closing. Any advise?

[@TheSCGirl]

Thank you!

[@gaudlee]

Just had this problem and found a new assembly on Amazon for $40.

[@rkgsd]

Is it from a 3rd party Amazon seller? If so, who?

[@shavikvsozoda]

This is awesome! Thank you!

[@KevinandMae1]

👍

[@richardriddick6314]

had the same issue in the dead of winter. realized it may be weather related. but all I did was use the key and turned it back and fort until it unfroze itself, car has 150 k on it. so please try that first before tearing things apart. all though that may need to be done eventually as the problem worsens.....peace...

[@KevinandMae1]

good point

[@sharkglizzy]

all I did was put the yellow thing through the net and it worked 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦🏿‍♂️

[@KevinandMae1]

😆. Nice

[@sunsetmagazine]

how did you shave that plastic piece? what did you use to shave this part down? did you have to disassemble it, or were you able to shave it while it was attached as we see in the video?

[@KevinandMae1]

sunsetmagazine I used sidecutters while it was attached as you see in the vid

[@JimDornbusch]

I need to know for a 2018 GMC Denali trunk latch that won’t cinch down

[@KevinandMae1]

Sorry Jim, not sure about that one

[@blackpanther3634]

Thank you for the Video 🙏

[@bvandenzen]

Thank you! This helped us at least get ours closed.

[@markg999]

Not a dealer only part its on amazon for much cheaper.

[@iekramysmiles3907]

What about turning the light off? Its closed my trunk but my dash board said open n running down my battery

[@annoymousl189]

Same

[@KevinandMae1]

Sorry hadn't run into that problem when I had our camry. Hope you found a solution!

[@kevinnguyen9866]

I could not get the rubble flap off. Have any tips to help me get it off?

[@KevinandMae1]

FudgeCake Devil sorry for the super late response. sure you got it off by now. For everyone else, make sure you get the two screws out first, then use a flat head screwdriver to pry it off. Be careful not to scratch

[@JQUiK84]

The latch is 18 dollars

[@XB700]

What tool did you mention to shave that bit?

[@KevinandMae1]

Tom Wolff sorry, super late response. I think I used a side-cutter plier

[@ReadyorNot811]

Ugh this looks so hard. I dont know how to shave

[@thedeerhunter4407]

20 dollar part on amazon

[@bennoroderick348]

How about in a cavalier 2001?

[@KevinandMae1]

Benny Rodriguez can't help you there

[@jamesanderson5506]

2004 Camry teunk

[@thedeerhunter4407]

woo hoo those are black plastic pieces