2011 Lacrosse Trunk Mysteriously Opens

[taverg03]

For what it's worth, I have yet to accidentally have the trunk open in 1.5 years of ownership. Keys are always in my pocket so you'd think if this was to be caused by something accidentally hitting the trunk release button, it would have happened by now.

I'm starting to think that maybe there's something up with your fob making it more sensitive to the trunk release activation than would be considered normal.

Amen, InfiniteImp. I've had my '11 CXS 1 1/3 yrs and I think it happened once while doing some yard work.

 

[misterfixit]

Amen, InfiniteImp. I've had my '11 CXS 1 1/3 yrs and I think it happened once while doing some yard work.

That doesn't mean that it can't happen. This problem should be addressed as if and when it does happen your trunk could be loaded with valuables or it could be raining.

I am also unhappy with the dealership's service department as the technician left his fingerprints and smudges all over the trunk and left a nice scratch on the door jamb on the drivers side.

 

[InfiniteImp]

That doesn't mean that it can't happen. This problem should be addressed as if and when it does happen your trunk could be loaded with valuables or it could be raining.

I am also unhappy with the dealership's service department as the technician left his fingerprints and smudges all over the trunk and left a nice scratch on the door jamb on the drivers side.

1. Don't hold your breath. I don't see GM addressing the trunk release functionality. You can always have your dealer compare your trunk release to that of another LaCrosse on their lot. If you keep accidentally opening yours there may be a defect.

2. I'd recommend complaining to the dealership's service manager and if that doesn't help, the GM, and so on. Any part they damaged should be replaced. Don't back down on that.

 

[misterfixit]

Well it happened again this morning. My wife was at work and went out to the car at lunchtime and the trunk was wide open. This makes the 3rd time for her. It has never happened with her on previous cars that I have owned.

 

[misterfixit]

I contacted the dealer and they are going to give me a loaner car tomorrow morning. I also told them about the condition that the car was left in the last time that they worked on it. We will see what happens.

 

[kxlexus]

My trunk has opened a few times when I didn't want it to.
I moved my remote to an empty pocket....problem solved.

 

[misterfixit]

😡😡😡

The dealer service manager called me this afternoon and he stated that after inspecting my vehicle and talking with GM service that the only thing that I can do is to make sure that my wife and I do not keep the keys in our pockets. The service manager agrees that the buttons on the key fob are overly sensitive. GM service states that they can not program a delay in and can not disable the remote function of the key fob.

I have a question. What are keys and fobs for? Weren't they made to keep in your pocket?

It might not do any good but I will be calling and complaining to many people about this issue.

 

[InfiniteImp]

The service manager agrees that the buttons on the key fob are overly sensitive.

Ok, I just had to check this out, seeing as it's never happened to me.. I went outside and checked the sensitivity of the fob. First off, it wouldn't even trigger until I had a clear line of sight to the trunk... after that, I tried tapping it, then softly pressing it.. nothing. Only after a firm press did it open the trunk. This type of press could not happen accidentally in my pocket.

I get this feeling that the problem does rest with your fob or maybe more generally fobs made for the 2011 model year. Maybe they used a softer rubber or a softer spring inside. Talk with your dealer and see if he can get you a 2010 fob and program it for your car. They should be compatible. Maybe that will address your problem.

 

[misterfixit]

I get this feeling that the problem does rest with your fob or maybe more generally fobs made for the 2011 model year.

Is your remote the flip key style? I had a 2010 Malibu that had the key separate from the remote. I did not have any problems with it. The buttons on the 2011 Lacrosse remotes are not recessed like the ones on the 2010 Malibu. I am very unhappy right now.

 

[shoman90]

My trunk has opened 2-3 times the last year...always with the fob in my pocket. ...usually when bending or something that puts too much pressure on the button. It has locked and set off the horn alarm as well when I've been in the garage doing work...with the keys in my pocket. The buttons should have been recessed a little more...but it is certainly not something that upsets me much at all. As stated above....I just remove the cars. I've had others cars that triggered once in a while as well....no big deal.

 

[misterfixit]

My trunk has opened 2-3 times the last year...always with the fob in my pocket. ...usually when bending or something that puts too much pressure on the button. It has locked and set off the horn alarm as well when I've been in the garage doing work...with the keys in my pocket. The buttons should have been recessed a little more...but it is certainly not something that upsets me much at all. As stated above....I just remove the cars. I've had others cars that triggered once in a while as well....no big deal.

What if you were out shopping and had a load of stuff in your trunk and you accidently opened the trunk in the store without knowing it? Would you be upset if you came back out to an empty trunk?

 

[shoman90]

What if you were out shopping and had a load of stuff in your trunk and you accidently opened the trunk in the store without knowing it? Would you be upset if you came back out to an empty trunk?

Well, yes I would be...but:

1. The only times I'm aware it's happened is when I've been twisting around, bending, working in my garage with the keys in my pocket. ...so I can fix that problem easy enough. Moving through a store wouldn't produce that issue I don't think

2. The range on the fob is adequate at best. Throw a store wall, some aisles, and/or 75 feet from the car into the mix...and the fob is not an issue. The distance the thing works for the remote start is the worst I've ever had since 1986 when I started using remote sart systems. It basically works off the same distance you can unlock the car from....nor does it send a signal back when your car starts....but I digress 😕

3. ...and finally...where we live I choose to believe my battery would run down (although I know it shuts the lights off on a timer) before someone hoisted stuff from my trunk.

Maybe your issue is more serious than mine for tripping the trunk latch and maybe you live where you can't trust people as much.

Good luck. I hope you get it resolved if it's more than a very sporadic thing.

 

[92sub]

I think I have the fix for your trunk issue........make the dealer add the spoiler to your trunk lid. My understanding is the added weight keeps the trunk from popping up in the air. It might open but nobody will notice🙂

 

[BIG ROCCO]

The spoiler idea is a good one. No problems with this yet on my car, but my car did come with the spoiler and I did notice that the trunk lid unlatches but does not rise - hardly can tell it's open.

Do both of your remotes do the same thing? Are they both the same sensitivity to this problem? Maybe a new/different remote would help?

Another thing to consider would be to disable just the trunk release button on the remote. I don't have mine here where I'm at, but what I'm suggesting is maybe you could take the remote apart and put something like an insulating piece of plastic between the trunk button and the switch on the remote?

Another idea would be to find out where the receiving antenna is for the remote and partially shield it, to make it less sensitive. Sensitive enough to work when you're within eyesight of the car, but not so sensitive that you are far from the car and come to find the trunk open.

I know - you shouldn't have to do any of this on a $32,000 car, etc, etc., but if it's driving you nuts, it might be worth it to think out of the box.

 

[InfiniteImp]

Is your remote the flip key style? I had a 2010 Malibu that had the key separate from the remote. I did not have any problems with it. The buttons on the 2011 Lacrosse remotes are not recessed like the ones on the 2010 Malibu. I am very unhappy right now.

Yes it's the flip key style - I believe they all are. My buttons are also not recessed.

 

[InfiniteImp]

I think I have the fix for your trunk issue........make the dealer add the spoiler to your trunk lid. My understanding is the added weight keeps the trunk from popping up in the air. It might open but nobody will notice🙂

You know, my trunk has never actually swung open when I've hit the trunk open button. I have no spoiler on mine. I don't know if there is some other issue at play but in my case when I unlock the trunk, I hear a click and beyond that I need to raise the trunk by hand. Once it gets past the 45 degree point it will rise on its own but not otherwise. It's never actually bothered me (my Maxima worked the same way) but I wonder what's different about my trunk such that it doesn't swing open on its own.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

Another idea would be to adjust the tension on the trunk lid springs - assuming it is adjustable, which it usually is.

 

[misterfixit]

I heard from the Buick customer service assistance center today. My case is being referred to a specialist. We will see what happens.

Infiniteimp - my trunk swings open when the button is depressed, unless it has been a week or so since it was opened. The loaner car (2011 Lacrosse) trunk opened faster. It felt like the tension springs were stronger on it.

 

[shoman90]

When it has happened...my trunk only pops open an inch or two. It doesn't go up by itself. Maybe it's supposed to .... but mine is like infiniteImps

 

[misterfixit]

GM states that their final word is that the remote trunk feature is functioning properly and that my wife and I should not keep the keys in our pockets. Their statement implies "Customer Last"