What Causes the Door Handle to Pull but the Door Won't Open?
2 Answers
The reason the door won't open is due to a malfunction in the locking mechanism components. Below are the causes and solutions for the door not opening: 1. Misalignment: Solution: Apply force by bumping the door a few times—either from inside or outside the car using your body—or have someone assist by pulling the door from the outside while another person pushes from inside. 2. Malfunction in the locking mechanism components: Solution: Remove the door panel from inside the car, though this is challenging since the door won't open and may result in broken panel clips. After removing the trim panel, take off the sound insulation layer to gain better access to the locking mechanism. Try pulling the cable manually to see if it moves. If not, use a hammer and chisel or a drill to dismantle the locking mechanism.
I just encountered this situation recently - the door handle could be pulled, but the door simply wouldn't open, which was really frustrating. The most common cause is the internal cable getting stuck, possibly due to insufficient lubrication leading to rust over time. In winter, doors are also prone to freezing, especially when ice forms in the door gaps after snowfall. The solution is to gently tap the latch area from inside the car to try loosening it, or spray some specialized lubricant. If it's the child lock being activated (common with rear doors), check if the switch was accidentally turned on. For safety, don't pull too hard when this happens to prevent cable breakage - escape through another door or window in emergencies, then promptly visit a repair shop. Regularly applying grease to door locks prevents jamming - prevention is always more convenient than repairs.
