I had this problem when I flipped the switch in the trunk that de-activates the lever by the driver seat.
I didn't know at the time the key lock had seized.

I went to home depot and bought a 6ft piece of dowel.
With a little finessing, I was able push the dowel between the fold down seats,
pop the switch that activates the drivers side lever and vola, opened the trunk.




1996 2.5LT V6 Contour ATX My Tour+help/info pics E0 rims, Gutted Pre-Cats,CTA Custom Exhaust & Intake, Diablo Chip.