What to Do When Both the Inside and Outside of a Car Door Won't Open?
3 Answers
Here are the solutions when both the inside and outside of a car door won't open: 1. Replace the door check strap. 2. Replace the door hinge and striker. 3. Replace the door lock actuator cable. Below are the reasons why both the inside and outside of a car door won't open: 1. Central locking motor failure. 2. The connecting mechanism between the central locking motor and the lock actuator has come loose. 3. Abnormal wear or missing clips in the lock actuator's connecting hinges. 4. Damage to the exterior or interior door handles. Additional information on why a smart electronic key fails to open the door: 1. The car battery is low on power. 2. The key fob battery is dead.
I've been driving for twenty years and have encountered stuck car doors several times. If the door won't open from either inside or outside, it's most likely that the child lock was accidentally activated, especially in cold weather or after rain when the lock mechanism tends to rust and seize up. My first step is to try opening other doors—as long as one can be accessed, it's much safer. If none work, it could be that the lock linkage has come unhooked or there's an electronic system malfunction. In such cases, I repeatedly twist the mechanical keyhole with the key a few times or try pressing the remote unlock button; if there's no response, I check if the battery is dead. If all else fails, I avoid forcing the door open to prevent damaging the car or the weatherstripping. Instead, I immediately call a professional locksmith or the dealership for roadside assistance. As a preventive measure, I lubricate the door locks monthly to prevent aging and freezing—developing this habit saves a lot of trouble.
Last time, my buddy's car door got stuck and couldn't be opened from inside or outside, which freaked him out. Turned out his kid had messed with the child lock, but sometimes it's due to a broken lock mechanism or an electrical short circuit. Nowadays, new cars rely on keyless entry, and when it fails, I usually restart the car battery—disconnect the negative terminal, wait a few seconds, then reconnect it, which might reset the system. If you're stuck inside, quickly open the window for ventilation and use your phone's flashlight to check the internal door switch; if you're outside, try using the app for remote unlocking. Don't just wait around—contact roadside assistance for the fastest help. I also learned a trick: keep a multi-functional window-breaking tool in the car for emergencies in case you can't get out. This experience taught me that regular maintenance of door locks is crucial—don't let small issues turn into big ones.
