My 2003 toyota corolla trunk latch won't open my trunk. I cannot use my keys and the latch was the only way to get inside my trunk. When I pull it, it has nothing to it. Usually you can feel some weight and a Kerdunk sound and the trunk is open. Do you know how much a new part for that would cost or how to fix?

latch cable damaged or dislodged from clip [which is possibly broken ]

Hi Kathleen lets try with a spare key to unlock trunk if that fails try with any key and a little WD 40. If none of these suggestions work then I'm gonna say that the rod that connects the key to the latch is disconnected or damaged. Gonna require pulling down rear seats using a flashlight, pulling down carpet that is in center of trunk above the latch and remove either 2 or 3 (amount)10 or 8mm (size)bolts that holds latch to inside of trunklid . Once removed the latch will stay on the lock hoop and the trunk should open. Afterwards you have to inspect the trunk lid to determine whether the clip that hold the rod is damaged and needs replacement. Good luck

I just had the same problem this morning. The light indicator for 'door open' is on and now my corolla won't start. Were you able to start your car?

Sounds like it. I would have it checked by a mechanic.

1. Open trunk
2. Place latch in lock position
3. Pull inside trunk release to see what isn't moving
4. If trunk key won't turn, the key may be worn out and need to be replaced

on the sides of the trunk there are rubber stops they screw in and out. Try screwing them in and this should fix your problem

If you have rear seats that fold down you can access the latch mechanism from the left side rear seat....if you are flexible. pull the corner of the seat forward to allow your arm to slide in behind. about 14-16" in, feeling up inside the trunk you can feel 3 quarter size holes in the sheet metal. The second hole has the cable release arm. stick your finger up there are pull towards you. this will release the seat allowing it to fold down. Crawl into the trunk. there is a glow in the dark release handle on the inside of the trunk lid to open the trunk. Note, these are instructions for an '04 corolla but I think it should work

My 05 Corolla trunk would not open. I used a broom handle shoved between the rear seats to activate the emergency release handle on the back of the trunk lid. It took about 2 minutes. When I tapped it just right the lid popped open. This was better the damaging the rear seat by bending it to reach the seat releass mechanism. It turned out that the cable came off in the asembly probably from slamming the lid shut. Once the cable was returned to its location I used needle nose pliers to sqeeze the metal tighter around the cable.

I have a corolla 2003 and I had the same problem. I turned the key to the left and the lock turned left, engaging the valet parking mechanism. I could not turn the key to the right and could not get access to the trunk because the lever next to the driver seat was disengaged.
The way I solved this problem is as follow:on the back driver seat I pulled the back seat forward to leave an opening and snick my arm in the trunck. Then I grabbed the cable used to latch the seat and I pulled forward, i.e. toward the front of the car. The cable is connectred to the trunck so that it can be disconnected easily if pulled towards the front. If you pull towards the back it will remain attached to the trunck. So grab the cable an pull towards the front, and it will release itself. Since the cable is flexible, you can pull it out of the trunk from the same the opening you put your arm, and then disenagage the driver back seat. Fold forward the back seat and get into the trunk and use the lever in the latch of the trunck to open it. The turnk will open.

If the lock does not turn, you need to disconnect the lock from the mechanism, so that the driver seat lever can start working again. To do this, and with the trunk open, remove the cover holded by nine plastic pins. Do not break the pins. After removing the cover, you will see the lock holded by two nuts. Remove the nuts with a rachet. The lock will be loose, and disconnect the lever that connects the lock to the latch. At this point the driver seat lever will start working again. Close the trunk and verify that the driver seat lever opens the trunk. Now you can open and close the trunk , and have time to call the dealer for a new lock.
Good luck.