Actually a common issue on many older vehicles. Inside the latch they use a spring that rotates a pawl which catches the rotating latch inside the actual door latch. To keep them from rattling they coat the inner parts with a plastic. Over time the metal under the plastic corrodes and makes the parts thicker so they do not turn freely. At the same time the other metal parts corrode enough that the latching pawl will release and the door opens, but the spring is not strong enough to rotate it back and the latch no longer works.
The easiest solution is to replace the latch/actuator assemblies.
I take them apart and clean and repair them on my own or family vehicles but it is not something that you want to try without having done a few.
Another common thing on Chrysler latches is for the child safety lock to rust and stick in the halfway point, it makes it so the inner handle does not work and the latch will not latch properly.
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:00 AM
