How you open a Toyota RAV4 trunk (Toyota calls it the back door or liftgate) depends on the trim and model year. On a power back door, push and hold the main switch on the instrument panel, press the open button on the liftgate or the key fob, or use the hands-free foot sensor if your vehicle has one. On a manual back door, unlock the vehicle and use the handle or button on the liftgate.
Find out which back door your RAV4 has
The RAV4 is sold with two kinds of rear opening. Some trims have a power back door and some have a manual one. On the 2019 to 2025 RAV4, a retrofit-kit supplier lists the LE and XLE as manual and the XLE Premium, Limited and TRD Off-Road as power, but trim packaging changes between years and between the gas, hybrid and Prime versions, so check your own window sticker or owner’s manual. If there is a switch on the lower left of the dashboard near the steering wheel for the back door, your vehicle has a power back door.
| Type | Typical controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power back door | Main switch on the instrument panel, switch on the back door, key fob or Smart Key button, optional hands-free foot sensor | Toyota’s 2013, 2019 and 2020 quick reference guides all show the instrument panel switch |
| Manual back door | Unlock with the key, fob or Smart Key, then open with the handle or button on the liftgate | No power struts or motor |
Open a power back door
From the driver’s seat
- Find the power back door main switch on the instrument panel.
- Push and hold it to open the door. Toyota’s guides describe it as a push and hold switch for both opening and closing.
- Wait for the door to stop moving before you step behind the vehicle.
From the key fob or the back door
- Use the back door button on your key or Smart Key remote, if it has one, and follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for your model year.
- On the back door itself, the switch opens the door and there is a close button on the door for closing. Toyota’s 2013 guide says one press of the back door switch opens partway and a second press opens it fully.
Hands-free, foot-activated opening
Some power-door RAV4s have a foot sensor. Toyota’s 2019 and 2020 guides say to carry the Smart Key and swipe your foot near the lower center part of the rear bumper within one second to trigger the sensor. Keep the key on you, and do not hold the foot under the bumper for long.
Open a manual back door
- Unlock the vehicle with the fob, the Smart Key or the key. On Smart Key models, carrying the key is enough for the touch sensor on the door handle.
- Press or lift the release on the liftgate handle.
- Lift the liftgate fully and check that it stays up, especially in wind or on a slope.
Set the power door’s opening height
Toyota’s 2019 and 2020 guides say the opening height of the power back door can be adjusted through the Multi-Information Display, and the 2019 guide mentions a manual setting as well. This helps in low garages. To set or change the height, use the settings in the instrument cluster and follow your owner’s manual for your model year.
Troubleshooting
The power back door does not respond
- Unlock the vehicle. The door may not open if it is locked and the key is not near.
- Check that the power back door has not been turned off in the vehicle settings or by the main switch, if your model has one.
- Clear anything from the liftgate opening, and check that the glass or latch area is free of dirt and ice.
- After the 12-volt battery has been disconnected or replaced, Toyota says the power back door needs to be reinitialized. Check the procedure in your owner’s manual.
- If the door still does not move, have a dealer check the system. Blown fuses, worn struts and latch faults need proper diagnosis.
The hands-free sensor does not work
- Confirm you are carrying the Smart Key.
- Swipe within one second, close to the lower center of the bumper.
- Clean mud or snow off the bumper area.
- Check that the feature is turned on in your vehicle settings.
The liftgate will not stay up
Struts wear out over time. If the door drifts down, have the gas struts checked and replaced by a qualified technician and do not prop it up with your head or body under it.
Safety notes
- Keep your hands, arms and head out of the opening path and the closing path of the back door.
- Do not stand behind the vehicle while a power door is moving.
- Do not drive with the back door open.
- Do not let children play with the switches or the key.
- Do not lock keys or children in the cargo area.
Care tips
Wipe the rubber seal and the latch area occasionally to keep dirt away. Clear leaves from the drain area below the liftgate. Keep the fob away from water. There is no fixed schedule in Toyota’s guides for these tasks, so follow the maintenance pages of your owner’s manual.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the trunk release button in a RAV4?
On power models it is the main switch on the instrument panel, on the driver’s side. There is also a switch on the back door itself. Manual models have no power switch; you open the liftgate with the handle or button on the door itself.
Does every RAV4 have a power back door?
No. Lower trims typically have a manual back door, while higher trims have the power one. Check your vehicle’s equipment list.
Does the RAV4 have a hands-free trunk opener?
Some do. Toyota’s 2019 and 2020 guides describe a foot sensor on power-door models that works with a Smart Key. It is not on every trim.
Do I have to reinitialize the power door after a battery change?
Yes, Toyota’s guides say so. The exact steps are in the owner’s manual.
Can I open the power door by hand?
Follow your owner’s manual for manual operation. Forcing the door by hand when the system is active can damage the mechanism.
Sources opened while checking: Toyota 2019 RAV4 Hybrid quick reference guide and Toyota 2020 RAV4 Hybrid quick reference guide.
