2011 Lacrosse Trunk Mysteriously Opens

[RHS]

I am curious just how you would propose to modify the software to prevent the trunk lid from opening accidently without preventing opening when desired. A double press of the trunk release button? Three? A five second hold?

There are any number of possibe solutions. Some of my other cars required a double press within a small time frame. This greatly reduces the probability of an accidental activation. You could further decrease the odds by requiring three presses in a short period or perhaps a long duration press followed by a short duration press (or vice versa).

Another option (which seems very logical to me) would be to press and release the trunk release button followed by the car's door unlock button, within a short time period (say 1 second). This sequence would be programmed to only unlock the trunk, not the door locks.

I could think of several other options, all of which would be fairly simple logic sequences to code into the software.

 

[RHS]

The problem is that GM doesn't care about this.

You are probably right. I bet the Insurance Institute or a couple of good trial lawyers could change their mind. Unfortunately someone (or more likely several people, unless it got a lot of publicity) would have to suffer a very regretable loss first

 

[HMTJ6821]

For a long time, I have fought the concept that an accidental press of the trunk release on the key fob would be the cause of my occasional unlocked--but thankfully, not open--trunk lid. However, after failing to replicate any of the other possibilities--corrosion on the trunk release switch, body computer software update, I took the simple step of adding a second key ring to the attachment point on the key fob. In other words, the ring of keys is attached to second smaller key ring which is then attached to the fob.

Viola! There have been no more accidental unlockings of the trunk lid. I am delighted that such a simple solution should solve the problem. It actually makes the "package" of keys and fob fit better in my pants pocket.

 

[mmadden2]

If anyone could have a bunch of stuff stolen out of a trunk it would be my wife. Still no trunk issues after 6 months of ownership. Fingers crossed 🙂

 

[shoman90]

I didn't read this whole thing...but while in the dealership this AM to get a wheel replaced under warranty (9 spoke clear coat peeling a little)...I mentioned that my trunk has opened maybe 4-5 times since we've had the car. Not a big deal because my springs don't pop the thing open and I get the info center light and just shut it.

....but there is a bulletin on this and I now have a new trunk switch and wiring harness on the way. Sorry if I'm late to any prior updates on this thread

 

[InfiniteImp]

I didn't read this whole thing...but while in the dealership this AM to get a wheel replaced under warranty (9 spoke clear coat peeling a little)...I mentioned that my trunk has opened maybe 4-5 times since we've had the car. Not a big deal because my springs don't pop the thing open and I get the info center light and just shut it.

....but there is a bulletin on this and I now have a new trunk switch and wiring harness on the way. Sorry if I'm late to any prior updates on this thread

Can you get the bulletin # and post it? I'm not having the problem myself but there are others here who will appreciate it.

P.S. I adjusted my trunk springs so that it does raise when unlocked. Love it when it rises on its own (especially given that it didn't for the first 1 1/2 years of ownership before I changed the tension).

 

[RHS]

I didn't read this whole thing...but while in the dealership this AM to get a wheel replaced under warranty (9 spoke clear coat peeling a little)...I mentioned that my trunk has opened maybe 4-5 times since we've had the car. Not a big deal because my springs don't pop the thing open and I get the info center light and just shut it.

....but there is a bulletin on this and I now have a new trunk switch and wiring harness on the way. Sorry if I'm late to any prior updates on this thread

Unless the trunk was opening while you and your fob were a hundred yards from the car, you are still going to have the trunk pop up on you. This won't fix it. I'm sure the dealer appreciates the business and the paycheck for warranty services rendered. Hopefully they didn't cause more problems (scratches, rattles, etc.) like has happened with others when they performed what was likely an unnecessary "repair".

 

[shoman90]

Unless the trunk was opening while you and your fob were a hundred yards from the car, you are still going to have the trunk pop up on you. This won't fix it. I'm sure the dealer appreciates the business and the paycheck for warranty services rendered. Hopefully they didn't cause more problems (scratches, rattles, etc.) like has happened with others when they performed what was likely an unnecessary "repair".

I'm told there is a TSB on this. I'll see if I can get it tomorrow. Buick sure as heck is not going to give away parts and labor for a mere fob problem. That might line the dealer's pocket, but it would make no 'cents' at all for them 😉

My dealer, service manager, and mechanics are top notch. I have nothing but good things to say about them. They have been excellent the few times I've been in for minor warranty work

 

[RHS]

If anyone could have a bunch of stuff stolen out of a trunk it would be my wife. Still no trunk issues after 6 months of ownership. Fingers crossed 🙂

My wife has only had it pop open once or twice, at most, in the 12 months we've had the car. She keeps her keys in a separate section of her purse, rather than in her pocket. I'll be darned if I'm going to carry around a purse.

 

[RHS]

If anyone could have a bunch of stuff stolen out of a trunk it would be my wife. Still no trunk issues after 6 months of ownership. Fingers crossed 🙂

This is something like the third biggest topic on this forum. It must be a common problem.

 

[RHS]

I'm told there is a TSB on this. I'll see if I can get it tomorrow. Buick sure as heck is not going to give away parts and labor for a mere fob problem. That might line the dealer's pocket, but it would make no 'cents' at all for them 😉

My dealer, service manager, and mechanics are top notch. I have nothing but good things to say about them. They have been excellent the few times I've been in for minor warranty work

You would think they would watch their money better but they really don't. I have had so many parts changed over the years that were so unrelated to the problem, simply because the "technicians" only did what the computer told them to do. GM probably does have a weakness in those parts, so they feel obligated to replace them, but the symptoms that point to those parts needing replacement don't match those of MOST of the posters in this forum who have this problem.

From the other posts here, where the dealer saw the TSB and replaced the trunk lock and wiring harness, it was simply because the customer complained about the trunk unlocking unintentionally and that TSB was the closest matching TSB they could find. They crossed their fingers and gave it a whirl. No real troubleshooting skills required. Several people have reported that the work performed and parts replaced under the TSB didn't fix the problem.

Please post and let us know if you have any more mystery trunk actions after the repairs are finished. My money says you will but luckily the problem hasn't occurred a lot for you. It will be interesting to see if your TSB is the same as in the other, earlier posts. Good luck.

 

[RHS]

For a long time, I have fought the concept that an accidental press of the trunk release on the key fob would be the cause of my occasional unlocked--but thankfully, not open--trunk lid. However, after failing to replicate any of the other possibilities--corrosion on the trunk release switch, body computer software update, I took the simple step of adding a second key ring to the attachment point on the key fob. In other words, the ring of keys is attached to second smaller key ring which is then attached to the fob.

Viola! There have been no more accidental unlockings of the trunk lid. I am delighted that such a simple solution should solve the problem. It actually makes the "package" of keys and fob fit better in my pants pocket.

Let us know if it does accidentally open, again. I hope you have found a reasonable work around for a poor design. I have more keys than the average bear, on a double key ring, including another car's fob. The other car's fob doesn't have a problem. Never the less, I think I'll play around with the key and fob locations to see if it helps me like it has done you so far.

 

[MHT]

I had the mysterious trunk open and thought it was the key fob. I tried everything I could to replicate the problem by trying to accidently hit the trunk button on the key fob but nothing I did caused an accidental push of the key fob button.
I took the car to the dealer and they replaced the key pad switch on the trunk and also did a module reset and so far it has been three months now since the repair and no problem.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

I didn't read this whole thing...but while in the dealership this AM to get a wheel replaced under warranty (9 spoke clear coat peeling a little)...I mentioned that my trunk has opened maybe 4-5 times since we've had the car. Not a big deal because my springs don't pop the thing open and I get the info center light and just shut it.

....but there is a bulletin on this and I now have a new trunk switch and wiring harness on the way. Sorry if I'm late to any prior updates on this thread

Let me know how everything goes at the dealer and if your concern seems to be resolved. Feel free to contact me in the meantime if you need anything. Thank you.

Tricia, Buick Customer Service.

 

[lkein]

I'm looking for help on this as well. A friend and I both own 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS's. We often meet at a local restaurant to eat and usually end up parking our cars side-by-side when we arrive. On more than one occasion, we have left the restaurant to find BOTH of our trunk lids standing wide open. The last time we met, I made a point of keeping my fob out of my pocket, carrying it inside the restaurant in my hand, resting it on the table the whole time we are there, and then hand carrying it back out to the parking lot -- only to find my trunk lid standing wide open again! To me that procedure rules out any chance of something stray in my pocket accidently pressing the trunk release.

This is a huge annoyance. Living near a large city with typical big-city crime rates, I am hugely hesitant about taking my car into the city and locking it, knowing that chances are the trunk lid will be standing wide open when I return to the car (assuming the car is still there)......

Has Buick issued any reliable fixes for this yet?

 

[HMTJ6821]

Take it to the dealer. There is a fix that involves replacing the trunk release switch or connections if corroded. There have been instances of the electronic control being replaced as well. It depends on what is causing the trunk release to activate. Let the dealer investigate.

 

[shoman90]

Forgot to post this preliminary TSB number for the trunk issue: PI0492A.

It apppears this is not only for Lacrosses... a quick look shows the Chevy Cruze with the same switch / harness. I'm sure there are many more models as well. Actually I hope there are...because it would be senseless to have more than one operating system for the entie GM product line. Thinking like that ( different parts for low end / high end) caused part of GMs problems in the first place.

 

[SteakNEggs]

It's not just the fob? It seems when I remote start is the only time I have an open trunk witch has happened three times in the past month LOL

I was just going to buy a new fob 🙁

 

[GolfingDuo]

It's not just the fob? It seems when I remote start is the only time I have an open trunk witch has happened three times in the past month LOL

I was just going to buy a new fob 🙁

You might have a defective fob. You should have it checked.

 

[brubart]

I have a 2012 lacrosse with the same problem of the trunk opening mysteriously. I think the 2 second delay might be a good solution. I have been driving down the road and then noticed the trunk open warning on my dash was on, so i had to pull over get out of the car and close the trunk.