# Broken trunk latch on the Ford Focus! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** focus, ford\ **Created:** [January 8, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-trunk-latch-on-the-ford-focus/59675 "2011-01-08T01:40:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![focus4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@focus4life](https://community.cartalk.com/u/focus4life)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-trunk-latch-on-the-ford-focus/59675/1 "2011-01-08T01:40:55Z")
Hi! My beloved 2003 Ford Focus sedan has recently developed a problem with the trunk latch. When the button is pressed, the trunk tries to latch 3 times, then gives up. I’ve had sporadic problems in the past where it would get stuck in the locked position, when the trunk was open. I fixed it by repeatedly hitting the trunk unlock button, and it worked. Now it’s consistently not latching when I close it until maybe 20 tries and a lot of frustrated banging on the trunk. I have a travelling office and depend on my trunk daily to transport files, so this is a problem. I’m a social worker and just replaced the water pump, so I don’t have the cash to take it in for every problem. My uncle is a mechanic 4 hours away, so if this is a quick fix with a part I can get from Auto Zone, I would love to have that option. Please help! ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-trunk-latch-on-the-ford-focus/59675/2 "2011-01-08T02:21:41Z")
Call them and ask. A good cleaning with wd might help but replacement would be better. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-trunk-latch-on-the-ford-focus/59675/3 "2011-01-08T02:25:38Z")
A replacement latch may be only available through the dealer or a salvage yard. Try the local dealer’s parts counter to see if one is available. Generally, these are easy to replace, maybe having to remove a trim panel or two in the trunk lid. Only 2 bolts old them on. The trickiest part is getting it adjusted right. A few trials loosening and tightening the bolts will get it right. And, don’t worry. The key latch is a separate part with a rod or bar connecting it to the latch. No need to get it re-keyed to work. ---
**Author:** ![kizwiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7cd45c/32.png) [@kizwiki](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kizwiki)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 5:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/broken-trunk-latch-on-the-ford-focus/59675/4 "2011-01-08T05:32:13Z")
Try some graphite lube inside the lock and on the latch before you replace the part. Be pretty liberal with the stuff. Work the key back and forth a few times to spead the stuff around inside the lock.