Problem with rear outside door handles

[Tbrant]

I'm having the same issue!!!! Bought a 2020 1500 laramie with 32k miles this past monday and have had it to dealership for clunking in front end that they tell me is normal and now my passenger rear door would not shut and latch for the second time until I got the truck warmed up. This is not practical for me as my 10 year old daughter is in and out of the back doors everytime we go somewhere!!! I've always had gmc's and decided to go with the ram because I liked everything about it.... but now I'm 4 days into owning it and its one thing after another it seems. Feeling disappointed....

 

[c3k]

I'm having the same issue!!!! Bought a 2020 1500 laramie with 32k miles this past monday and have had it to dealership for clunking in front end that they tell me is normal and now my passenger rear door would not shut and latch for the second time until I got the truck warmed up. This is not practical for me as my 10 year old daughter is in and out of the back doors everytime we go somewhere!!! I've always had gmc's and decided to go with the ram because I liked everything about it.... but now I'm 4 days into owning it and its one thing after another it seems. Feeling disappointed....

Send an email to the general manager. Tell them how your 10 year old daughter almost fell out of the truck on the highway because the door did not latch properly. Ask them how they propose to resolve this safety issue and what timeline they're thinking would be appropriate and what loaner vehicle they will provide.

Frame it politely, with the above comments highlighting the safety aspect of this issue, and I'm sure you'll get rapid resolution.

(I thought the consensus was that moisture is getting into a latch cable inside the door?)

 

[Sparky1500]

I'd almost be tempted to get my own cable #7s, cut a water drainage opening into the bottom of the "U", grease the snot out of cable (end to end), then re-install.

Have you tried this out yet?I’m curious how hard it is to get those cables out. It’s only my left side rear door that freezes up on me. So I would only have to do it to the one for now.

 

[Pestsprayer]

Status update. Took the truck in on Thursday and they replaced the latch on the door. I opened and closed it no problem. Fast forward to today - Monday and I get a call from the dealer. They said you were in last week to get your door fixed...yes...well that won't fix the issue. LOL!

They went on to tell me that they recently received a TSB (?) on this. The issue is that the door cable is shrinking in COLD weather! Just like we all suspected...it had something to do with temps below 30 degrees. That would certainly line up with what I was experiencing.

So the service guy said he has a cable on order for me and will give me a call when it is in. I don't use the back door that often so that works for me. Props to the dealer for going through his paperwork and noticing I was in for an issue that was not fixed according to the latest TSB.

Hi there my I mentioned to my dealer about the “TSB” and while I’m not too sure how hard they looked for it; (or if they did) they said they couldn’t find one… do you mind telling me the dealer you worked with if that gove me a better chance of helping my dealer find the TSB…?

 

[bull51]

Hi all. I'm having the same problem with the left rear door of my 2019 Rebel. My truck was at the dealer yesterday and, of course, it wasn't cold enough for the door to freeze. I would love to know the TSB number. @RamCares

 

[RamCares]

Hi all. I'm having the same problem with the left rear door of my 2019 Rebel. My truck was at the dealer yesterday and, of course, it wasn't cold enough for the door to freeze. I would love to know the TSB number. @RamCares

Hi Bull,
Thank you for the tag. Sorry to hear of the trouble you’re experiencing with your door. If you decide to address this concern with your local certified Ram dealer, please feel free to send us a private message. We would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf so that one of our Case Specialists could work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution.

Rob
Ram Cares

 

[jimk hunt]

The issue is that the door cable is shrinking in COLD weather!

So it's true. The cold does cause shrinkage!

 

[Trippi]

So it's true. The cold does cause shrinkage!

Costanza was right all along

 

[Trippi]

Hi there my I mentioned to my dealer about the “TSB” and while I’m not too sure how hard they looked for it; (or if they did) they said they couldn’t find one… do you mind telling me the dealer you worked with if that gove me a better chance of helping my dealer find the TSB…?

Sorry I have not been on the forum in awhile. I deal with Genesee Valley in Avon NY

 

[TacoTuesday]

You can add me to this list now. 2019 Longhorn. Just the right rear passenger door. Won't latch when its below freezing after opening it from locked position. Handle was snug but eventually opened and then wouldn't latch. All the other doors work just fine. Lock thingy on the door goes up and down with the key fob lock/unlock button no problem as well. Just won't latch! Took it to dealer for this issue and a navigation issue. Nav thinks I'm in a different state and compass is off 180. They tried a software update but that didn't work. Ordering me a new radio but takes 3 weeks apparently to come in. Have an open case with Ram Cares. So when the radio comes in I'll schedule an appointment and add this door issue back. Dealer said they couldn't recreate the door issue so there is nothing they can do (warm that day). They agreed it was a cold weather issue and heard of others with the issue. So I asked what was the resolution for them and do that fix for me? They need to see it happen with their own eyes apparently. I said it was going to be below freezing on Saturday (this was a week ago) and they said sorry, our appointments are booked 3 weeks out. I told them my daughter sits back there and this is unsafe.....I got a few eyeblinks and a sorry. If we don't know whats causing it, we can't fix it they said. I told them about all of your troubles (above) and showed them a video I took and nothing.....buyers remorse is creeping in. I will keep y'all posted and keep an eye on the thermometer which will dictate when I can or can't use the door. 33 degrees and up? works like a champ.

 

[c3k]

You can add me to this list now. 2019 Longhorn. Just the right rear passenger door. Won't latch when its below freezing after opening it from locked position. Handle was snug but eventually opened and then wouldn't latch. All the other doors work just fine. Lock thingy on the door goes up and down with the key fob lock/unlock button no problem as well. Just won't latch! Took it to dealer for this issue and a navigation issue. Nav thinks I'm in a different state and compass is off 180. They tried a software update but that didn't work. Ordering me a new radio but takes 3 weeks apparently to come in. Have an open case with Ram Cares. So when the radio comes in I'll schedule an appointment and add this door issue back. Dealer said they couldn't recreate the door issue so there is nothing they can do (warm that day). They agreed it was a cold weather issue and heard of others with the issue. So I asked what was the resolution for them and do that fix for me? They need to see it happen with their own eyes apparently. I said it was going to be below freezing on Saturday (this was a week ago) and they said sorry, our appointments are booked 3 weeks out. I told them my daughter sits back there and this is unsafe.....I got a few eyeblinks and a sorry. If we don't know whats causing it, we can't fix it they said. I told them about all of your troubles (above) and showed them a video I took and nothing.....buyers remorse is creeping in. I will keep y'all posted and keep an eye on the thermometer which will dictate when I can or can't use the door. 33 degrees and up? works like a champ.

Send in a safety report to the NHTSA about the door issue. Copy the dealer's response (by name) to the report. Forward both to a competent attorney. Have them contact the dealer. Ask for repairs, and lawyer fees. Also ask for them to sign an acceptance of responsibility for injury to your daughter due to them ignoring a known issue.

 

[chanesworth]

I am also having the same problem with my door. My passenger side rear won't open or when it does open it won't latch closed. As others have said it only happens when it is cold. Additionally, I have had this happen with my tailgate as well. I'm wondering if there is the same type of cable that is used with the tailgate. I am going to call my local dealerships in my area to see if any of the service departments have dealt with this

 

[bigdodge]

if you do not have it in your signature,
sure wish some of you would put your truck year somewhere in your post.

 

[mgaudiello]

Did any ever find out if there was a TSB for this Rear Door handle issue? If so, can someone provide the number? I'm fight with my dealer at the moment.

 

[silver64]

Did any ever find out if there was a TSB for this Rear Door handle issue? If so, can someone provide the number? I'm fight with my dealer at the moment.

I checked here for you and I didn't find any tsb for that but I pasted the link so you can check for future releases.

RAM TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins)

RAM TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins)

www.tsbsearch.com

 

[RamCares]

Did any ever find out if there was a TSB for this Rear Door handle issue? If so, can someone provide the number? I'm fight with my dealer at the moment.

Hey there,
If your vehicle is currently with your dealer or you have had an appointment recently, DM us! We may be able to help.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[55Trucker]

I started this thread 2 years ago. After spending 4 (winter) months trying to convince the dealer (and Chrysler) that the problem was water at the bottom of that U-shaped cable, they finally did fix the issue on both rear door by willing the cable sleeves with grease.

Until today!

It's 14 degrees outside today, it snowed last night. I just opened the left rear door to pull out my snow brush. The handle didn't feel quite right when I pulled it, like there was a little bit of resistance. When I slammed the door shut, it didn't latch, and I can't get it latched. So now I have to drive around with a ratchet strap between the two rear door handles to keep the left one closed. I am so not looking forward to my next dealer experience. Since the truck just fell out of the 3 year warranty I am tempted to either fix this myself or bring it to an independent garage.

Fun side story, my little 25 year old Craftsman snow blower has an auger control cable that dips into a "U" right before it attaches to the spring-pulley assembly. It wouldn't budge either today! U-shaped tube, gravity, water, cold. Bad combination!

 

[c3k]

I started this thread 2 years ago. After spending 4 (winter) months trying to convince the dealer (and Chrysler) that the problem was water at the bottom of that U-shaped cable, they finally did fix the issue on both rear door by willing the cable sleeves with grease.

Until today!

It's 14 degrees outside today, it snowed last night. I just opened the left rear door to pull out my snow brush. The handle didn't feel quite right when I pulled it, like there was a little bit of resistance. When I slammed the door shut, it didn't latch, and I can't get it latched. So now I have to drive around with a ratchet strap between the two rear door handles to keep the left one closed. I am so not looking forward to my next dealer experience. Since the truck just fell out of the 3 year warranty I am tempted to either fix this myself or bring it to an independent garage.

Fun side story, my little 25 year old Craftsman snow blower has an auger control cable that dips into a "U" right before it attaches to the spring-pulley assembly. It wouldn't budge either today! U-shaped tube, gravity, water, cold. Bad combination!

I would think the warranty for the repair would cover the cable. If not...open a RamCares thread. And bring copies of ALL the times you complained about it.

 

[Triniexr]

@RamCares This issue has happened to me today with my daughter sitting in the back. I made a turn and the driver rear door flew open. Do you assist Canadian owners?

 

[Allenjrt]

@RamCares This same issue has happened to me near Chicago in my 2022 Limited last winter and now again this winter. I have an appointment set up at Thomas Dodge in Highland, IN on 1/24/24