Just got my 2025 CX-5, and I love it. But the manual liftgate seems not to open if the ignition is on. Is that the case? I mean, if I'm in Park, why should the liftgate opening care if the ignition is on? I can open passenger doors if the ignition is on.

 

Make sure the vehicle is in park and the park brake is applied.

This is a safety function to prevent unwanted access to your vehicle.

 

Nope. If the vehicle is in Park, and the parking brake is applied, while the ignition is on, I CAN'T OPEN THE LIFTGATE. Why?
Prevent unwanted access to the vehicle? You mean I want to prevent people from climbing in the rear when they can just open a door to get in?

 

No, to prevent them from stealing your belongings from the trunk in a split second!

 

But I guess belongings in the back seat are at risk then.
Seriously, is it true you can't open the liftgate with the ignition on? No, it's not just locked. I tried to unlock it, and no go.

 

If you are unlocking with the FOB that might be the issue.
Try unlocking the vehicle from the inside on the driver's door control panel arm rest.

 

Thank you. You're right. I finally figured that out. The lock/unlock switch on the driver's door control panel does more than the key fob does, with regard to locking and unlocking. Who knew?

 

Yep, car has to be in park and you have unlock all four doors from the switch on the door panel. Using the key fob inside won't lock/unlock the doors with the car running.

 

That's useful to know. That the key fob isn't even functional if the car is running. Indeed, on page 3-4 of the manual, it says "The keyless entry system is fully operational (door/liftgate lock/unlock) when the ignition is switched off. The system does not operate if the ignition is switched to any position other than off." What they evidently don't say is that the door/liftgate lock/unlock button on the driver door IS, however functional.

 

I'm not being a wise *** but...

The manual will only tell you when things aren't functional, like the FOB.
There is no point in telling you what things are functional, like the door/liftgate lock/unlock.

And that is why it is always a good point to read the operators manual on anything new that you purchase.

At least you know how it works.