It’s one of the worst possible situations for any car owner. You walk to your car. You press the unlock button on your fob. But nothing happens. The car won’t unlock, leaving you stuck outside, not knowing what to do. This is just one of many door lock problems that can affect Nissan vehicles (and those from other brands).
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most common Nissan door lock issues, covering why they happen, and how to fix them.
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Possible Reasons Your Nissan Door Locks Aren’t Working
There are quite a few reasons why Nissan door locks may suddenly fail to open or work correctly. It can be caused by anything from bad weather to faulty components, dead batteries, or even dirt and rust around the keyhole. Here’s a full rundown of some of the most common problems, complete with possible fixes you can try.
Faulty or Failing Door Lock Actuators
In Nissan cars, in particular, many lock problems stem from faulty actuators. If you’re unfamiliar with this component, a door lock actuator is a small but crucial part of modern power door lock systems. It’s a mechanism that sits inside the door, with its own electric motor, and serves to lock or unlock doors upon receiving a signal from the key fob.
Each door has its own actuator. Hence, you may find that certain doors lock and unlock just fine, but one or more won’t work as intended. You should still be able to manually use the key to lock the door, allowing you to temporarily cope with the issue. However, in the long-term, faulty actuators will need replacing, either by yourself or a pro.
If you decide to go it alone, you’ll have to do the following:
- Disconnect the car’s battery to prevent any accidents or injuries while changing the actuator.
- Remove the inside door panel.
- Disconnect any rods and cables from the old actuator and fit them to the new one.
- Remove the old latch assembly and install the new parts.
- Replace the door panel.
Dead Batteries in the Key Fob
Another possible explanation if your Nissan locks aren’t responding is that your key fob is out of power. The batteries in fobs tend to last a long time, but not forever. If you find that you press the button and nothing seems to happen, but the locks still work fine when using the key manually, it’s likely the battery is dead.
Fortunately, this is a quick fix. You just have to fit a new battery in your key fob. Alternatively, if you happen to have a spare fob around the house, use that instead. If it works fine, you’ll know for sure that the problem is with the first fob. Most fobs use little coin batteries, and the type and size should be printed on the fob or in your owner’s manual.
Hot Weather
Some Nissan owners have also noted that their cars only seem to have lock issues on extremely hot days. It’s not entirely clear why this happens, but many believe that the high temperatures can cause the Nissan door lock motors to fail. The motors control the locking mechanisms, and a single faulty motor can affect the entire system.
Usually, you should be able to use the key manually in the lock to get access to your car and lock it, which is the easiest “fix” to try on a swelteringly hot day. However, if you want to truly solve this problem and not have to worry about it anymore, you may have to either replace the motors or clean the door lock switches (either by yourself or hiring a professional).
Cold Weather
Sadly, it’s not just sunny days that can cause lock issues with the average Nissan car. Frosty weather, too, may cause your car doors to quite literally freeze up. If there’s any moisture inside the locking mechanism, it can freeze as the temperatures drop, making the doors impossible to open, either manually or remotely via the key fob.
To fix this fault, you’ve got a few options. If you’re not in a rush, you can usually wait for the car to warm up a little as the day goes on, so any ice in the system will thaw out. If you’re in a rush, a hairdryer or space heater can be just what you need to speed up the thawing process. A quick blast of WD-40 into the door locks may also help to force any ice out of the system.
Dirt, Grime, and Rust
Nissan specialists also say that door locks can fail due to build-up of dirt, grime, or even rust. Over time, dirt tends to find its way in and around car components. As it builds up in the lock, it may block the keyhole or interfere with the movement of latches and switches. The same applies to rust, which can cause parts of the locks to corrode and stick in place.
Keeping your car clean and parking it somewhere safe and dry, like a garage, is a good way to reduce the risk of this issue. If you’re dealing with a dirty or rusty lock, you may have to remove the panel to clean it properly. Alternatively, spraying some WD-40 or similar products into the lock may help to blast away any ingrained bits of dirt, rust, or grime and allow the parts to move more freely.
FAQs
Are Nissan cars more prone to door lock problems than others?
Not necessarily. Any car can have door lock issues when the key fob batteries run out of power or rust builds up around the keyhole. Many also have problems with locks, latches, and actuators that help the doors close, lock, and unlock correctly. However, there are quite a lot of reports online from Nissan owners dealing with faulty door lock actuators, especially in older models.
What should I do if none of the door lock solutions work?
If none of the DIY fixes listed above will work for you with your Nissan doors, the best option is to contact the pros. A local mechanic or Nissan expert should be able to come out to your location and take a look at the car. From there, they’ll be able to diagnose the lock problem and, hopefully, get it fixed so you can get back on the road.
Watch Out for Nissan Lock Problems
They’re not as scary as steam spilling out from under the hood. Nor are they as problematic as an engine that won’t start. But Nissan door lock problems are still a nightmare to deal with. They can delay your journeys and interfere with your plans. Fortunately, there are several ways to get them fixed on your own. If all else fails, friendly professionals are only a phone call way.