Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Door Latch

If the car door won't stay closed, has to be slammed hard to close, or is stuck and won't open, you may need to replace the door latch.

A door latch is a mechanism that is used to keep a car door locked. When the door handle is pulled, the latch is actuated mechanically or electronically so that the door can be opened. The latch mechanism consists of a mechanical latch inside the door, as well as a U-shaped anchor that attaches to the vehicle's door frame. The door latch mechanism is the component that locks the door, and when it has problems it can cause problems getting in and out of the vehicle. Usually, a problematic door latch assembly causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a potential problem that needs to be addressed.

1. The door will not stay closed

One of the signs of a faulty door latch mechanism is that the doors won't close. When the door is closed, the latch and anchor are locked to close the door. If the latch mechanism inside the door fails or has any problems, it may not latch onto the anchor, causing the door to not stay closed. This is a problem as vehicles with unlocked doors are not safe to drive.

2. The door must be slammed hard to close

Another sign of a problem with the door latch mechanism is that the door requires a strong blow to get it to latch. Doors should lock with light to moderate force when closing. If you notice that the door only closes correctly when it is slammed shut, then this may be a sign that the latch mechanism is not working properly or that the latch has moved with the anchor. Excessive slamming will eventually cause the latch to fail and need to be replaced.

3. The door does not open

A stuck door is another sign of a potential problem with the door latch mechanism. If the door is stuck closed and does not open when the handles are pressed, this may be a sign that the lever or lock mechanism inside the door has failed. The door, as a rule, should be dismantled from inside of the car by the professional technician.

Door latches are an important component and are used in almost all vehicles to ensure that doors close. While most door latches are designed for heavy duty use and long life, they can also fail and cause problems with the door. If you're having problems with your doors or suspect a door latch problem, have a professional technician like AvtoTachki inspect your vehicle to determine if a door latch replacement or other repair is needed.