I'm still amazed with Ford's limited access to the Mustang's trunk. Key fob or bust. I've looked in my owner's manual countless times to see if I missed a lever or button somewhere. Nothing. It truly was an oversight that no one caught. At least they remembered the emergency release if trapped inside.
When keys were the only way to enter a trunk in the 'good old days' maybe this isn't so unusual but I sure have not been limited like this since those old 'key' days.
Is anyone aware of any other car maker having just the key fob available to open the trunk? My 20 year old Trans Am has the button underneath by the steering wheel along with the key fob, and my new R/T has a trunk release button at the trunk itself plus a button underneath, and the key fob. 3 ways is pretty nice. I'll get used to anything but this still strikes me odd all these years later.

 

Doesn't qanswer the question, but ....... In 2014 I bought a wireless key pad from Ford, it came with a set code number but one was allowed to reset it or set a personal one. It was intended by Ford that it be stuck on the driver door, I put ours in the gas door verticle like, and as long as the gas cap is horizontal, it closes fine. I still works, I had decided if ever it died I'd cut it open and change the battery and silicone it shut again, it was like $75.

I also ran across a thread maybe here on wiring in a momentary normal open button to pigtail running to two wires in the right side wire chase under the door, I hid mine out of sight just in the glove box above the opening, not in view, but Wife and I know exactly where to press the button and it's accessible really easy. .

I may find a link? I will look.

Here is a You Tube video, I just chose a hidden button. I just found the video, I did mine from a post. My button come from Radio Shack. I'd definately hide it in a convertible.


Looks like LMR has a kit? Look at it too as they say some cars used different colors for the wires.


I never use those destructive wire splices, I strip, wrap, solder, tape or shrink wrap, or both tape and shrink over it.

 

Yeah I have looked on my 07 GT everywhere and can't find any other release. But on my 08 V6 there is a button on the driver side kick panel where the transmission is. If I remember tomorrow I will take a picture of it for you guys. From what I am told it's because it has the pony package and it comes with that I guess.

 

My '07 Ford Focus is the same way.

 

Interesting, so it wasn't just the Mustang. Ford had a thing for spending on trunk releases. I can see them sitting in a boardroom discussing spending an extra $10 for a release button.

 

I know most here don't care for American Muscle, but they sell two kits to add a button for the trunk release.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/musta...k-release.html

https://www.americanmuscle.com/cente...ease-0509.html

Edit: LMR also sells one:

https://lmr.com/item/STY-3475/2005-0...tton-W-Harness

 

I'm... well, not sure what the fuss is about, honestly. Not that I have a problem with anyone fussin' about it, nosir. Just I never even cared that the button's missing. I don't miss it in the Caliber, which also doesn't have one. I never used it in the HoopTBird, nor really many others. I always had the fob or the key. These newer cars are so electronic that you don't even need to have the buttons at all, just grab the handles if you're close to the car, right?

But I guess that answers the one question up top: Any other manufacturers. Yes. Chrysler. At least on the Calibers/Patriots/first gen Compasses anyway.

 

I recall well the old days of an ignition key ... then a separate key for doors, glove box, and trunk. Why if a driver wished to, they could go into the trunk while leaving the engine running. Then my Department began to list trunk buttons in the bid sheets put out for new police cars as a safety item right along with the commercial radio delete option. Then I got used to them as pretty soon cars almost all had trunk buttons, but then the new to us '08 Mustang had none and what once would not have garnered a second thought was noticed. Key was OK when it was a separate key with it's own "cut" so that if you left the car for service or a wash or to be parked by valette, the trunk was still locked. My '95 T-bird not only has the button, but it has a lock on the button too, it uses a different key to lock or unlock the button itself. My first Mustang was a '73, it had a square-ish headed ignion key and a round headed trunk key. My '69 Swinger had a pentastar headed ignition key and a round headed trunk key.

I recall a Trooper once asking for a trunk key being told there was none, he said he had one ... then he produced a fire axe from his own trunk ... then miraculously a key was produced by the car's driver. Car had a load of moonshine in the trunk and keys take different shapes. Many homes out in the country side had outhouses then, some even had a light.

One might be surprised to read that there are people who will leave home in their Mustang with just the one key these days. I know ... shocking huh? I know key fobs too.

 

I'm with Houtex when it comes to not quite understanding what the fuss is all about. The keyfob is really all you need for opening the trunk and in the event the keyfob battery craps out? you still have the key itself..
You can also place your spare keyfob inside the glove box or console to use as a trunk release as well.. Problem solved

 

No fuss here.

 

No fussin, just an observation I noticed with my cars. Never really used the the button on my 08 that much. Used the fob more because when loading something in the trunk I was walking to it anyhow.

 

Till I saw this thread,I thought I didn't have an inside release just because it's a convertible

I rarely bring my fob with me,cause I usually leave the top down.I usually don't have anything of value with me

 

No fuss here either folks!

 

Hey at least you guys have a key access to the trunk. On the refresh of the S197 they took away the key access. They did add a button to the center console that helps when you don't have your key fob handy, but what about when the battery is dead or pulled for the winter. Then I have no access unless I want to climb in the back seat drop the seat and find the emergency pull cord. It can be a real pain. It is easier to just re-attach the battery. I would love to have good old fashsion key access.

 

On the refreshed S-197 convertibles, there is a key access between the upper and lower seat back in the left rear. You have to sort of bend the cushion a little to access it.

 

 

That would be nice but they forgot about us coupe guys though...

 

Pfft, the coupe's just a fold down seat, reach that kid release away, no need for a key!

Seems they could have just done it for both, but whatevers...

 

Well it is kind of a fuss for me. If my keyfob craps out, I have no way of getting into the trunk. So I installed a button myself.
And no, the key will not work as I removed the keylock and installed a rear camera there instead.

 

If your primary keyfob craps out? use the spare keyfob as a backup