Child Trunk Release

jamala00 · 03-11-2021, 06:37 PM

I forgot I was going to ask this.

So I got my car out of storage the other day. When I put it away I took the battery out to bring it home to keep it on a tender as my storage unit does not have electricity. Anyway, not even thinking about it when I put it away, I shut the trunk all the way. Well when I went to put the battery back I obviously couldn't get in the trunk. I folded down the back seat to crawl back there and sure $hit, the child safety release does not work. I was able to push over the latch with a small screwdriver, but I need to figure out why that child release doesn't work. I pull on it and I can see the latch mechanism move a little, but it won't pop open the trunk. Anyone ever have that thing apart?

wwiiavfan · 03-11-2021, 06:54 PM

Jay, it might be if there is too much tension on the latch. Happens with the electric release sometimes. Try having someone push down a bit on the trunk while you work the release.

jamala00 · 03-11-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwiiavfan

Jay, it might be if there is too much tension on the latch. Happens with the electric release sometimes. Try having someone push down a bit on the trunk while you work the release.

Ahh. Thx, that could be. I'll try that and see if it will release.

FarmerFran · 03-11-2021, 09:08 PM

Perfect conclusion to why we needed this in the first place!

Someone trapped "ask someone to push down I while try to escape"!

ember1205 · 03-12-2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Perfect conclusion to why we needed this in the first place!

Someone trapped "ask someone to push down I while try to escape"!

Exactly where my mind went... So, all a trapped child needs to do to get out is have an adult outside the car help. Perfect!

jamala00 · 03-12-2021, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ember1205

Exactly where my mind went... So, all a trapped child needs to do to get out is have an adult outside the car help. Perfect!

I can almost guarantee you that nobody ever tries to make sure that child latch release works. I can say I've never checked one in any of my vehicles until now. I will figure out why this one isn't working and fix it.

jamala00 · 03-12-2021, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwiiavfan

Jay, it might be if there is too much tension on the latch. Happens with the electric release sometimes. Try having someone push down a bit on the trunk while you work the release.

That is exactly what the problem is. I opened the trunk and with the trunk open closet the latch. When I pull the child safety release it works just fine. So it's definitely tension when it's closed causing it not to work.

ember1205 · 03-12-2021, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamala00

I can almost guarantee you that nobody ever tries to make sure that child latch release works. I can say I've never checked one in any of my vehicles until now. I will figure out why this one isn't working and fix it.

I completely agree that no one checks them. But, if it's a 'feature' that has to be in the cars, then it needs to be expected to work. This is a poor design if it doesn't work because of the tension on the latch and I can't understand how they would have gotten that design approved.

The WORST part of that failure is that only the smallest of children could fit in that trunk... They are the ones the least-capable of using the release.

COKen · 03-12-2021, 09:03 AM

Wouldn't this be considered a safety issue? If so, you may want to send a note to NHTSA and copy GM. You may even save a life.

jamala00 · 03-12-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ember1205

I completely agree that no one checks them. But, if it's a 'feature' that has to be in the cars, then it needs to be expected to work. This is a poor design if it doesn't work because of the tension on the latch and I can't understand how they would have gotten that design approved.

The WORST part of that failure is that only the smallest of children could fit in that trunk... They are the ones the least-capable of using the release.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

Wouldn't this be considered a safety issue? If so, you may want to send a note to NHTSA and copy GM. You may even save a life.

I did contact GM and emailed both the NHTSA and GM to let them know my experience. I'm not sure what they will do with the info. I mean there could simply be just an issue with my car. If 10 people tried that and 5 of them had the same issue, then I'd think it's a bigger concern. If 10 people tried it and mine is the only one that didn't work, then I think it's just something on my car that needs to be fixed. Like I said earlier, I don't think this is something anyone ever checks until it needs to be used. Then... like me, it may be to late. If you have small kids, I'd suggest you check it.

ZED SLED · 03-12-2021, 10:15 AM

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COKen · 03-12-2021, 02:47 PM

I'm not sure, but I think some safety issues are covered long after the warranty runs out.

metros11 · 03-12-2021, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamala00

I can almost guarantee you that nobody ever tries to make sure that child latch release works. I can say I've never checked one in any of my vehicles until now. I will figure out why this one isn't working and fix it.

My son tried it, worked as designed.

jamala00 · 03-12-2021, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metros11

My son tried it, worked as designed.

Cool.. Ya, I'm betting that there is just something wrong with mine. Needs to be adjusted or whatever.

03-11-2021, 06:37 PM	#1
jamala00 Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2020 Location: WI Posts: 2,451	Child Trunk Release I forgot I was going to ask this. So I got my car out of storage the other day. When I put it away I took the battery out to bring it home to keep it on a tender as my storage unit does not have electricity. Anyway, not even thinking about it when I put it away, I shut the trunk all the way. Well when I went to put the battery back I obviously couldn't get in the trunk. I folded down the back seat to crawl back there and sure $hit, the child safety release does not work. I was able to push over the latch with a small screwdriver, but I need to figure out why that child release doesn't work. I pull on it and I can see the latch mechanism move a little, but it won't pop open the trunk. Anyone ever have that thing apart?

03-11-2021, 09:08 PM	#4
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,031	Perfect conclusion to why we needed this in the first place! Someone trapped "ask someone to push down I while try to escape"! __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 Vert TR-6060 Sharkskin "Sharky" Firecracker Red Wrangler Willys, 3.6L eTorque, 850RE 8 speed automatic, 25W Willys package, Technology Group, Convenience Group (aka $600 garage door opener), Cold weather Group, Trailer Tow and HD electric group with AUX switches, 3 piece black freedom top.

03-12-2021, 09:03 AM	#9
COKen Drives: '21 Camao SS, BMW 435i, M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 63	Wouldn't this be considered a safety issue? If so, you may want to send a note to NHTSA and copy GM. You may even save a life. __________________ 2021 Camaro SS Riverside Blue Metallic 2014 435i M-Sport, Mineral Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg, Tech Pkg, 8 Spd Sport AT, Heated Front Seats, ACC, BMW M Perf Tune w/MPE, BMW LSD, BBS CH. 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, Steel Gray Metailic HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C.

03-12-2021, 10:15 AM	#11
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,474 View My Garage	__________________

03-12-2021, 02:47 PM	#12
COKen Drives: '21 Camao SS, BMW 435i, M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Colorado Posts: 63	I'm not sure, but I think some safety issues are covered long after the warranty runs out. __________________ 2021 Camaro SS Riverside Blue Metallic 2014 435i M-Sport, Mineral Gray, Black Dakota Leather, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg, Tech Pkg, 8 Spd Sport AT, Heated Front Seats, ACC, BMW M Perf Tune w/MPE, BMW LSD, BBS CH. 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, Steel Gray Metailic HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C.

03-11-2021, 06:54 PM	#2
wwiiavfan Drives: 2017 1SS Hyper Blue Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 478	Jay, it might be if there is too much tension on the latch. Happens with the electric release sometimes. Try having someone push down a bit on the trunk while you work the release.

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