Jeep Wrangler Door Not Closing – What To Do?

A Jeep Wrangler is designed for optimal performance to provide great opportunities for outdoor adventure. With its powerful engine, you can explore new territory which you would otherwise not be able to do with other vehicles. However, your Jeep can sometimes experience problems like the door not closing. How can you solve such a problem? We did the research to bring you some solutions.

The following are potential reasons that the door of your Jeep Wrangler will not close and how to solve the problems:

  • Problems with the latch 
    • Lubricate the latch
    • Use a screwdriver to push the latch back to position
  • Malfunctioning door handle
    • Call a professional to fix the handle, as it can be a complex task
  • Misalignment of latch jaw and striker
    • Repair loose hinges
  • Frozen latch
    • Pull and release the door handle several times
    • Thaw the latch
    • Pour warm water on the outside latch handle
  • Failed latch mechanism
    • Call a professional technician when all the above have failed

Continue reading as we go in depth about why your Jeep Wrangler door is not closing and how to solve this problem. We'll also give you a step-by-step guide on removing the door for an off-road, fun-filled adventure.

White Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Jeep Wrangler Door Not Closing - What To Do?

Reasons The Door Of Your Jeep Is Not Closing And What To Do

As is habitual, you are used to the door of your Jeep shutting without any issues. So, it can take you by surprise when your door pops back open after closing it. However, Jeep doors sometimes can refuse to close.

You can actually troubleshoot before calling a mechanic to fix your problem. However, if you cannot solve the problem, you should call a professional. Below are some common problems that can cause your door not to close and what to do about it.

Black jeep all road in a desert landscape with a blue cloudy sky in daytime

Problems With The Latch

As your latch slowly rusts, eventually one day your car door may refuse to close. To solve this, spray a lubricant like the one shown below on the latch and wait a few minutes.

Click here to see WD-40 on Amazon.

With a clean rag, wipe off any grime, dirt, or debris, and then try closing the door. Try a few more times to confirm your door can close without issues.

Also, if you accidentally closed the door while it was open, it will not close. A latch that is closed is one that has clutched over the anchor. If you check your door and find this is the case, take a screwdriver and gently push up the latch.

You can also try rotating the latch as you open and close the door handle to release the latch. If your latch is worn out or damaged, call an auto mechanic to fix it. 

Malfunctioning Door Handle

Your door handle can get stuck when trying to close the door. To close the door from inside your Jeep, you normally pull the door handle. This action detaches the door latch from the anchor. But, if your door handle has jammed, it will remain stuck in the open position.

A jammed door handle is best left to the professionals to repair or replace.

Misalignment Of Latch Jaw And Striker

Car black metal door latch

If the door of your Jeep happens to be loose at the hinges, the striker will not line up to the latch jaw. So, the door will not close since the striker is out of position.

Check out this Jeep Wrangler door hinge kit on Amazon.

Correcting the alignment of your door may be difficult for you to do. You are better off taking it to a car expert. 

Frozen Latch

Frozen Car Handle

When the temperatures are 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below, your door latch could freeze. It sometimes happens when you park your car outside for a long time during a winter storm.

As soon as you notice this, your first reaction would most likely be to open the door and take your scraper. But when you try to close it, the door does not latch.

You can solve this problem in three ways:

  1. In the first instance, do not apply force on your door to close it, as you could damage the latch jaw. With a slightly ajar door, and at the same time holding the door lever, pull it outwards and release it. Do this several times as you try to free the frozen latch. Go to the next option if this does not work. 
  2. Get into your Jeep, start the engine, and close the door to the extent you are able to. Press the defrost button for your windshield and set it to the maximum. Also, turn on the heater to the highest setting. The interior will become warm and will thaw the latch after 20 minutes. 
  3. Start your car and press the defrost button for the windscreen. As your car is warming up, fetch some warm water. Do not use boiling water. When the inside of your Jeep is warm enough, hold the door when almost closed. Pour the warm water above the outside latch handle. 
  4. If none of the above work, call your auto mechanic.

Failed Latch Mechanism

If all the methods above do not work, it means the whole latch system has malfunctioned. At this point, consult with your auto mechanic to have a look at it. They will then either repair it or replace the latch system altogether. 

Cost Of Repairing Jeep Door That Will Not Close

To repair the latch of your Jeep depends on how difficult it is to remove them. There are extra costs for the parts that depend on if they have sensors or actuators in the latch. 

It might cost you less if you take it to an independent shop and more if you take it to your car dealer. Generally, you will pay $100 to $250 to replace door latches. 

Car door hinges cost $12.73 to $15.55 per hinge, though they can cost as low as $9.90. And, if you prefer your door hinges to have a nice finish, the price will of course go up.

To thaw your door latch and handle will cost you almost nothing because you can do so at home with warm water.

How To Take The Doors Off Your Jeep

One of the best features of your Jeep Wrangler is that you can easily remove the doors and roof. The steps below are a brief guide on how you can remove the doors from your Jeep:

  1. Fold in the mirrors.
  2. Roll down the windows to protect them.
  3. Remove the black straps that are inside the door jamb.
  4. Disconnect all the wires that link the doors to the vehicle.
  5. Remove the bolts and nuts from their hinges
  6. Gently slide the doors up and off your car.
  7. Store your doors in a safe place where they cannot get damaged.
  8. Disable the door lights and alarm. 

Tips On Storing The Doors Of Your Jeep Safely

Dirty SUV after an off-road race, stands in nature with the hood and door

After removing the doors from your Jeep, you want to store them in a safe area where they cannot get damaged. The following are some tips that can help you with this:

Lay Them Down On A Thick Blanket

This is one of the cheapest ways to store your Jeep doors. You can lay them down flat on top of the blanket. Or, you could lean them against the wall with the base on the blanket. A dry area is preferable with minimal movement to prevent accidentally knocking them over. 

Hang Your Doors Up

You could hang them up on a heavy-duty door hanger bracket mounted on the wall like the one shown below.

View these hanger brackets on Amazon.

Use A Jeep Door Storage Bracket

This is the best method for storing your jeep doors. It takes up less space and reduces the risk of damage. It is designed to prevent your doors from tipping over.

Have a look at these door storage brackets on Amazon.

In Closing

White Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

If the door of your Jeep Wrangler refuses to close, there are ways you can troubleshoot using the methods mentioned here. However, call a professional to help you out when one, more, or all the methods fail. 

On the other hand, you can remove the doors from your Jeep, which is easy to do. But do remember to store them away safely to prevent them from being damaged.

If you enjoyed reading this post, be sure to take a look at these others:

Where Can You Rent A Jeep Wrangler?

Jeep Wrangler Headlights Won’t Turn On – What To Do?

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