2011 Lacrosse Trunk Mysteriously Opens

[jbechols]

I have had a continuing problem with trunk opening as a result of other items in my pocket pressing the button. I just found this item on Amazon, which I believe will solve the issue. $10.00

BUICK LaCrosse Remote Key Case Shell FOB 5 Buttons Protective Cover Holder Bag

 

[mmadden2]

Good find, not sure it it would do the trick or not, but certainly cheap enough to give it a go. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/LaCrosse-Remote-Buttons-Protective-Holder/dp/B006JWQ2PK/"]Link to jbechols's Amazon reference.[/ame]


I'm a bit of an ebay guy, same thing here, ships from china, will probably take a while...
$7 for similar
$12 various colors

 

[rsruss]

I have the same problem with my 2012 Buick Verano. It is frustrating, to be honest. But, I like everything else with the model, other than that.

I have locked my 2011 Lacrosse, went inside, and later came out to find my trunk wide open on several occasions. Luckily it has not been raining nor have I had anything valuable in it when this has happened. I carried it to the dealer today and they ordered a trunk release switch for it. I don't see how this switch would cause the trunk to open by itself when the car is locked as depressing this switch (above the license plate) when the car is locked will not open the trunk. The remote does not have a delay on it to open the trunk when the button is depressed but it is stiff so it doesn't seem likely that the problem is that the button is being accidently depressed. I still think that that the button on the remote should have at least a 2 second delay (holding the button in for 2 seconds) to open the trunk. Anyone else experiencing this problem?

 

[catsailr]

I've had this happen on my 2011 Cruze and thought it was probably the trunk button on the remote being pressed in my pocket. Never had it happen on the LaCrosse, but I hardly ever drive it.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

Interesting - 2011 Cruze and 2012 Lacrosse, and you hardly ever drive the LaCrosse - mind if I ask why?

I never really considered a Cruze before I bought the LaCrosse, but recently rented a Cruze, and really liked it...so much so, that it makes me wonder if I should have bought one instead. About the same gas mileage, a bigger trunk, a smaller back seat, and more fun to drive (seems more peppy and maneuverable than my e-Assist)than a LaCrosse. On the other hand, the Lacrosse does have a better ride, is quieter, and has a generally better interior...but as far as I can tell, probably also cost about $9K more than a Cruze.

 

[HMTJ6821]

Being retired, our LaCrosse stays in our attached garage most of the time. On occasion, when starting up the car, the DIC gives notice that the trunk is open.

At first, I thought that this was caused by the inadvertent press of the trunk button on the key fob remote. But I now have come to the conclusion that, if that was true, then the car alarm would also occasionally be activated which we would surely notice. The alarm button is just next to the trunk release button on the fob and actually is more likely to be accidentally pressed since it is wider.

I have come to believe that the real problem is the trunk release switch that is on the rear trunk lid. There have been several reports of car dealers replacing this switch which seems to correct the condition.

Blaming the key fob design appears to be a faulty assumption.

 

[kxlexus]

Hitting the trunk button on the fob is without a doubt the reason my trunk occasionally opens. To prove this I started carrying the fob in an empty pants pocket. The result, no more problem with the trunk popping open. A few weeks ago I forgot and put the fob in a pocket with other keys. Sure enough, I went outside and the trunk was open.

 

[HMTJ6821]

I do not mean to be argumentative BUT...that test is not conclusive as other variables were not controlled. For example, high humidity could also allow for condensation on the trunk switch causing the open trunk occurrence. I still ask the question why would not the other buttons also be similarly affected? Do we find our doors unlocked when we know we have locked them? Does the alarm activate for no reason?

 

[kxlexus]

It is conclusive to me. Trunk never opens when fob is in an otherwise empty pocket. Never. You do what you want...I have solved my problem.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Being retired, our LaCrosse stays in our attached garage most of the time. On occasion, when starting up the car, the DIC gives notice that the trunk is open.

At first, I thought that this was caused by the inadvertent press of the trunk button on the key fob remote. But I now have come to the conclusion that, if that was true, then the car alarm would also occasionally be activated which we would surely notice. The alarm button is just next to the trunk release button on the fob and actually is more likely to be accidentally pressed since it is wider.

I have come to believe that the real problem is the trunk release switch that is on the rear trunk lid. There have been several reports of car dealers replacing this switch which seems to correct the condition.

Blaming the key fob design appears to be a faulty assumption.

Have you brought this to the attention of your dealer? Please keep me posted on your progress and feel free to contact me if you need more assistance. Thank you.

Tricia, Buick Customer Service.

 

[misterfixit]

Being retired, our LaCrosse stays in our attached garage most of the time. On occasion, when starting up the car, the DIC gives notice that the trunk is open.

At first, I thought that this was caused by the inadvertent press of the trunk button on the key fob remote. But I now have come to the conclusion that, if that was true, then the car alarm would also occasionally be activated which we would surely notice. The alarm button is just next to the trunk release button on the fob and actually is more likely to be accidentally pressed since it is wider.

I have come to believe that the real problem is the trunk release switch that is on the rear trunk lid. There have been several reports of car dealers replacing this switch which seems to correct the condition.

Blaming the key fob design appears to be a faulty assumption.

The dealer replaced the trunk switch on my 2011 Lacrosse and the trunk still opened. We have never found it unlocked nor have we heard the panic alarm. My wife was keeping the keyfob in her pocket with two house keys attached to it since she does not carry a pocketbook. Buick Customer Service stated that there was nothing that they could do about the problem. My wife now uses a clasp to fasten the keys to her belt loop and hasn't had the trunk to open since then.

 

[catsailr]

Interesting - 2011 Cruze and 2012 Lacrosse, and you hardly ever drive the LaCrosse - mind if I ask why?

I never really considered a Cruze before I bought the LaCrosse, but recently rented a Cruze, and really liked it...so much so, that it makes me wonder if I should have bought one instead. About the same gas mileage, a bigger trunk, a smaller back seat, and more fun to drive (seems more peppy and maneuverable than my e-Assist)than a LaCrosse. On the other hand, the Lacrosse does have a better ride, is quieter, and has a generally better interior...but as far as I can tell, probably also cost about $9K more than a Cruze.

My wife won't let me. Our LaCrosse was bout $20K more than the Cruze. I ride my bike most of the time and it uses less gas than either car. Ha!

 

[speedy328]

Obviously, a lot has been written about the "trunk gremlin." I have a 2011 Lacrosse and after several months noticed my trunk open when I came out of a brick building/internal room/way beyond the remote range. But I read on this thread that this seemed to be more common than not, with dealerships/GM offering little (if any) help.
So I got a case for my key fob. Hate it -- big, bulky but you can't possibly press any buttons unless you swing the fob out. Seemed to solve the problem for several months. Then, last week sitting in my son's apartment, he looked out the window and said "your trunk is open." Went down and closed the trunk. Ten minutes later, my wife drives up and says "your trunk is open."
Scheduled appointment at Buick thinking they would say "nothing we can do."
Picked car up this afternoon. Dealership claims to have solved the problem.
I offer this from my service papers for whatever it may be worth (only time will tell):

"Check reference P10185C. Checked for DIC's. None. Inspected trunk release harness switch harness. Corrison present." Corrison on a 2011???

"Per P10185C, replaced trunk release switch. Tested operation."

Don't know if this will solve the "trunk gremlin" issue or not. I took the fob out of the case and am hoping for the best.
If I have any more issues, I'll post.
Hope this may help others.

 

[Steve85]

For what it's worth I will add my car to the list of those with the unwanted trunk opening. I have 2012 and yes I do keep my keys in my pocket as I have for the past 40+ years. I find this a big enough pain that I would not buy another Buick unless the issue was addressed. My dealer says there is nothing he can do. If you can't keep your keys in your pocket, what is the point of the push button start?

 

[misterfixit]

You will not get anywhere with Buick or GM on the problem either. Believe me I have tried. My wife keeps her keys on her beltloop now with a spring snap.

 

[MHT]

I had my keys in my pocket and was doing some work in the car and the trunk came open. I normally will not do any work in the car with my keys in my pocket. This only happened once and it has been several months ago and has not happened again.
After seeing this post I decided to do a test to see just how the key could hit the trunk button on the fob and cause the trunk to open. I only have two keys on the fob but I turned the keys all kind of ways and could not get the keys to press the trunk button. When I did get the key to press the button the odds of it being in that position in my pocket seem slim to none. My next question is why the trunk button and not any other button as all the buttons are recessed.
For all of you that this is a problem I hope GM will find a solution soon and I believe that they will. Don't be to hard on GM as I can assure you that there are other brands that have not come up with solutions to some issues with their cars.

 

[buried20kleague]

I posted earlier in this thread (last year) that I had this same issue. It continues to this day. I've even had it as I was driving down the street (with the FOB in my pocket). Luckily I was able to hop out at a stoplight right away and close it. And then obviously remove the FOB from my pocket. 😡

I honestly see this FOB issue as the weakest point of the entire car. It's maddening that nothing can be done with it, short of buying a bulky case for the FOB (WHAT???) or constantly remembering to take my keys out of my pocket. Having no trunk release inside the car is crazy, too. Makes zero sense to me.

It's not like the trunk pops open constantly... I would say once a month. But what if that once was when it was raining? Plus I keep quite a bit of expensive softball equipment in my trunk... Bats costing hundreds of dollars, my bag with my gloves and cleats in it, etc... It's not a risk I want to take.

Mostly, I've been very happy with the car. But if this issue isn't fixed, I won't be buying another. There are too many other good products out there that DON'T have silly issues like this.

For those saying they haven't experienced the issue, that could be for any number of reasons. Your body type. The kinds of clothes you wear. How you sit in a chair. How far away from the car you are during your day. etc, etc,... For whatever reason, for some of us it's a perfect storm of circumstances.

And count my trunk as one that opens all the way up. It doesn't just pop open an inch or two.

Great car... HORRIBLE FOB.

 

[MHT]

I have bad news for you I have seen where some other car brand owners are reporting that there trunks are opening mysteriously too.

 

[tjc78]

Having no trunk release inside the car is crazy, too. Makes zero sense to me.

.

What do you need it for? The trunk has a button above the license plate that can be used to open it anytime the car is unlocked. If you are inside and someone wants to toss something in the trunk just explain to them where the release is. There is no need at all to have a trunk popper in this car it would be totally redundant.

Oh and another thing, I know alot of people here have complained about the door lock switch being in the center console. This was a bit of a bummer for me as well. I have came up with a solution. The first thing I did was change the settings for door unlock. When I open my driver's door all doors unlock. The second is, you can lock all four doors by pressing the lock plunger down on the driver's door as you exit. You can also touch the black sensor on the door handle if your car is full keyless.

As for the trunk mysteriously opening, I haven't had this yet but I don't put the fob in my pocket all too often. If I do, I always make sure it is by itself in the pocket to avoid anything pushing the buttons.

 

[HMTJ6821]

Just to further explore the possibilities, I am wondering if some of the FOBs have "softer" buttons requiring less pressure to activate. But, if that was the case, then there should be also reports of inadvertent activations of the other buttons such as the alarm function.

Another possibility is that, within the FOB mechanism itself there is a FOD (foreign object debris) such as a metal shaving that closes the button contact electrically from just the jostling in the pocket. Hanging the FOB from a belt clasp, as reported by one owner, would bias the gravitational pull into just one primary direction, I would think.

I am not promoting this theory as THE answer; only seeking inputs from those whose problem was not corrected by the dealer replacement of the trunk release switch.