I was picking up a friend, and she threw her backpack in the trunk of my hatchback (2013 subaru impreza), and in a one-in-a-million chance, one of the straps rested perfectly on the latch – now the trunk is jammed shut. The electric release activates, but the mechanism seems locked solid. I tried pushing down on the trunk while activating the latch to try and release the pressure on it, with no luck.

I cut the strap to reclaim the backpack, but the remainder is still jammed in there, and I’d like to try and fix it without getting out a grinder/saw and cutting the latch.

I’ve considered either freezing it with compressed gas and trying to shatter it, trying to shred what’s left by pulling it out with needle-nose pliers, or using a heavy solvent to liquify the nylon, but I have no idea which to try first…

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’ll try and add photos later.