What is the reason why the left rear door cannot be opened from the inside?
2 Answers
The reasons why the left rear door cannot be opened from the inside are as follows: Child lock issue: Solution: First, open the door from the outside. There is a child lock switch on the side of the door; set the child lock switch to the off position. Lock mechanism problem: Solution: It could be that the internal lock mechanism is damaged. Replace it with a new one. Alternatively, the return spring on the lock mechanism may have fallen off. Remove the door panel and reinstall the spring. Purpose of the child lock: The child lock is a feature designed to prevent children from accidentally opening the door and causing harm. Its function is to prevent active and unaware children from opening the door during driving when seated in the rear, thereby avoiding danger.
I've encountered this issue several times, usually due to two reasons: The most common is accidentally activating the child safety lock. That small switch is located on the side edge of the door, and sometimes passengers in the back seat might unintentionally engage it with their knees. When checking yourself, open the door and look for the child lock indicator near the door latch area, then simply flip it back using a key or your finger. Another possibility is a loose connection in the interior door handle mechanism, especially in older vehicles where plastic clips have aged and broken, making the handle feel limp with no resistance. My old car actually had its door cable replaced, which required removing the door panel for reinstallation. A rarer situation involves a dislodged spring inside the locking mechanism jamming it, in which case even the exterior door handle won't work. I recommend starting with the child lock check, and if you can't fix it yourself, visit a quick-service shop to have them inspect the interior panel.
