4 Possible Problems With Car Doors, Keys & Locks: Capitol Subaru Car Care

January 24, 2020

One of the keys to keeping your car in good shape is knowing what can go wrong with your car's door locks and handles. Here are four common causes for problems with the keys and locks on a modern car. If your doors aren't working, the key won't turn in the ignition or even if your door handles were damaged in an attempted car theft, get a quality repair from the Subaru experts at Capitol Subaru. We've got OEM parts direct from the Subaru factory so repairs are seamless and leave your car good as new!

4. Inner Door Handle Not Working? Try The Outer Door Handle

If one of your car's outer door handles isn't working, you might not be able to get into the vehicle -- at least not without climbing over the center console or hopping in through the window. And unless you're driving the General Lee, that's probably more trouble than you want to go through just to get in the driver's seat. But if it's the inner door handle that's not working, be sure to check the outer handle. If the outer handle works, you can exit the car in a pinch by rolling down the window and reaching out to grab the handle outside the vehicle. This may allow the door to open normally if your car has an broken inner door handle -- so you can keep driving it until you find time for a service visit to Capitol Subaru.

3. A Flipped Latch Could Prevent Your Door From Shutting

That heavy, confidence-inspiring thud you hear when you shut the car door comes in part from the latch securing the door shut. If this latch becomes bumped accidentally or malfunctions, the door latch might get flipped to the closed position while the door itself is still open. This may prevent the door from shutting properly -- instead, it'll just bounce off the latch with a sickening rattle. You may be able to fix this problem by reaching into the latch and flipping it back, using a tool like a small screwdriver. Or, just head to our service center for a quick repair from one of our experts.

2. Locks Can Be Damaged In An Attempted Theft

Whether a true car thief attempted to steal your car, or a burglar merely wanted access to the valuables inside, it's not unheard of for thieves to use crowbars and other brute-force methods to open your car door. This can cause damage to the door's latch, the lock or even the door itself, preventing it from opening and closing like it should. If you notice signs of physical damage to your car's door handles or locks, or evidence that someone tried to pry the doors open forcefully, you may need a repair to restore the proper function of your locks. You might also consider filing a police report if the thief was successful. And if you've got comprehensive auto insurance, repairs to your vehicle due to an attempted theft should be covered by your policy.

1. Heavy Keychains Can Damage Ignition Cylinders

While many modern cars are moving to push-button start, most vehicles on the road today feature a classic turn-key ignition cylinder. Just like in the lock you might find on your front door, tumblers inside the ignition cylinder mesh with the teeth on the key. Over time, the teeth on your key can become worn down, making it difficult or even impossible for the key to turn in the ignition and start your car. What's more, a heavy keychain can cause damage to the lock cylinder itself. The lock cylinder is really only designed to support the weight of a car key and maybe the key fob. If your keychain looks like something a high school janitor would have looped to his belt, all that weight hanging on the key can put strain on the ignition cylinder's internal parts, leading to damage. Eventually, the whole cylinder may need to be replaced! So ditch that heavy metal keychain to make your ignition cylinder last longer.

To keep the locks and doors in your car working well, we recommend lubricating the locks regularly for smooth operation. We've got the help you need to take care of all your car's important components at the Capitol Subaru service department.