Where Is the Trunk Release on a Nissan Rogue? Opening the Liftgate From Inside
The Nissan Rogue has a liftgate, not a trunk lid, and there is no trunk-release button on the driver’s side like on many sedans. You normally open it with the button under the liftgate handle (with the doors unlocked or the key fob nearby), the liftgate button on the key fob, or the power liftgate switch on models that have one. If the liftgate will not open because of a dead battery or a fault, newer Rogues (2021+) have a manual release lever on the latch that you reach from inside the cargo area, usually behind a small cover in the liftgate trim. Check your owner’s manual for the exact spot on your year.
A lot of Rogue owners search for the “trunk latch inside” after a dead battery, a stuck power liftgate or simply because they cannot find a release button on the dash. This guide covers all the normal ways to open the Rogue’s liftgate and what to do when none of them work.
Normal Ways to Open the Rogue Liftgate
| Method | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handle button | Press the rubber button under the liftgate handle | Doors unlocked or intelligent key nearby |
| Key fob | Press and hold the liftgate button | On fobs with a liftgate button |
| Power liftgate switch | Switch on the instrument panel or driver’s door area | Models with a power liftgate |
| Hands-free (motion) liftgate | Kick motion under the rear bumper with the fob | Available on some newer trims |
How to Open the Rogue Liftgate From Inside (Emergency Release)
Fold down the rear seats so you can reach the liftgate from inside the car.
Look at the lower inner trim of the liftgate, near the center where the latch sits, for a small removable cover.
Pry it off gently with a flat tool, such as a trim tool or a cloth-wrapped screwdriver.
Use a screwdriver to move the lever on the latch. Nissan’s service information for 2021+ Rogues describes pushing it toward the passenger side.
Push the liftgate up from inside, then have the cause repaired by a Nissan dealer or qualified shop.
Locations and steps differ by model year, so check the “back door” or liftgate section of your owner’s manual. More detail: how to open a Nissan Rogue trunk from inside and how to open the trunk on a Nissan Rogue.
Why Won’t My Rogue Liftgate Open?
- Doors still locked or the key fob is too far away.
- Dead 12V battery: the electric latch needs power.
- Weak key fob battery.
- Failed handle switch: the fob or dash switch may still work if only the handle button failed.
- Power liftgate turned off in the settings, or a blown fuse.
- Ice freezing the seal or latch in winter.
- Try all three: handle button, fob and dash switch. If one works, the problem is in the others.
- Jump-start a dead battery first. The liftgate often works again right away.
- Keep a trim tool in the glovebox, not the cargo area.
- Do not force a stuck power liftgate by hand. It can damage the struts.
The Nissan Rogue uses a liftgate opened by the handle button, the key fob or a power liftgate switch. There is no trunk-release button on the driver’s side. If it will not open, check the locks, fob and 12V battery first. For emergencies, newer Rogues have a manual release lever on the latch, reached from inside the cargo area behind a small cover.
Nissan Rogue Liftgate FAQs
There is no sedan-style trunk button. Use the button under the liftgate handle, the fob’s liftgate button or the power liftgate switch on equipped models.
Fold the rear seats, remove the small cover on the liftgate’s inner trim near the latch and move the manual release lever with a screwdriver.
Common causes are locked doors, a dead 12V battery, a weak fob battery, a failed handle switch or a disabled power liftgate.
Use the manual release from inside, or jump-start the car so the electric latch works again.
On equipped models, check the power liftgate main switch and the vehicle settings menu.
Some trims have a motion-activated liftgate. Check your trim’s features.
- Rogue has a liftgate, no trunk button.
- Handle button, fob or power switch.
- Emergency lever inside on the latch.
- Dead battery? Jump-start first.
- Check your manual for your year.