Abstract: A emergency trunk release apparatus of disclosed, comprised of comprising a lock bypass panel, located inside a trunk compartment. The lock bypass panel consists of an activation switch that is wired in parallel with a vehicle's electric trunk release such that its actuation will cause the trunk to open. The activation switch is a depression-type activation switch with an enlarged pad surface that allows it to be found easily in a dark trunk environment. The activation switch may be illuminated by any conventional means, so as to facilitate viewing in the darkness of the trunk. The present invention also includes a manual deactivation switch that takes the present invention temporarily out of service during times where cargo may accidentally activate the activation switch. It is envisioned that the present invention may be installed as a retrofit kit on existing automobiles or as original equipment on new vehicles.