Fix a stuck car door latch/lock with the door closed - Subaru Impreza 2001, 2002, 2003

I couldn't find any good info about this online for Subarus so figured I would share. Also applies if you want to remove a door panel without being able to open a door. May apply to other cars, especially Nissan.

[@nuggets.6774]

My very clever, persistent mate eventually opened the driver's side door on my wife's 2009 SF Forester. The accentuator was stuffed. The only way to open the door was to eventually break the accentuator apart with a big flat-head screwdriver and a hammer. He had to pry the inner door skin out a bit to get to it. He then replaced the accentuator and put it all back together again. Everything now works. He reckons it was the most frustrating car job he's ever done.

[@applesead42]

THANK YOU!!! I spent hours trying to get the latch to open. Your insight that the locking mechanism won't unlock with the release pulled saved me from cutting the door apart. Thank you so much!

[@jasonackman2256]

Thanks for the insight. I have an 02 Forester that the front driver door would not latch. Once I got the panel off I could get my hand inside to lube up that latch mechanism to get things moving again. Your video was extremely helpful in getting my door back in business. Thanks a ton.

[@josephlabella1136]

Thank you SO MUCH my door was locked closed for 2 years

[@davetastic562]

Thanks for making this video. The front driver side door in my Outback is stuck closed. When I got home last night it wouldn’t close. I jiggled the handle, got it closed and now it won’t open. I suspect it’s the same issue as your door.

[@ahlbergmagnus]

Thank you! I have this exact problem. Will try to fix it this weekend. :)

[@xLubowski]

U are a God, had the exact same fuckin problem on my 2005 subaru outback xt. Was corroded to shit and preventing door from opening thank u so much

[@FindTheTruthBeforeTheEnd]

I’m having the opposite problem. My front passenger door lock won’t lock and is stuck almost like halfway between locked and not locked. It’s been like that for years and I’m always paranoid of my car being rummaged through. I’ll try this though. Thank you.

[@sarrah1953]

This saved me thank you

[@gerardopena5365]

How’d you get the door to open before the refurbishing explanation

[@josebermeo9042]

Having same issue with my front driver door on my 02 Forester,
So what did you do to get that spring to return back ?
Thanks

[@32citrus]

Hi Jose, I ended up removing the unit with the spring at the end of the video as you see. I quickly cleaned and lubricated the assembly and have not had any problems since.

[@gerardopena5365]

@@32citrusbut how’d u get the spring to return before u got the door to open in general at first. I can’t get mine opened

[@jimmycrooke9646]

How did u take that panel off

[@latoyabrown9058]

Thank you

[@anotherstupidhipster3551]

What did you lubricate the mechanism with?
Thanks in advance.

[@PierceFlorine]

I would recommend dry graphite lube personally since I find it doesn’t pick up as much stuff and end up getting jammed again otherwise white lithium grease.

[@vunnamprasadchanti2110]

It's work 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@randyzapata8599]

What did you lubercate it with? Wd40v

[@32citrus]

Spray grease. don't lubricate things with WD40 if you can help it - its too thin and doesn't last long

[@gerardopena5365]

Y’all know how to reach that point for passenger door

[@FredMartin-fz3tz]

I searched drivers front door,not rear door!!!!

[@gerardopena5365]

Tryna get my passenger door open😢

[@myaeckl4351]

Then why did u click on the video