Car Door Lock Repair: The Key to Getting a Fair Price

It's a quirk in the universe that whenever you lock your keys in the car, there's only one available locksmith and they charge like they're on break from neurosurgery. Then you find out that you overpaid by a lot, but really, what are your options when you're stuck? What makes it all worse is that sometimes, you have to replace the entire locking mechanism—an even bigger expense. Keep reading to learn DoNotPay's tips for getting the best car door lock repair deal, and a little bit about why it costs so darn much. Here's a tip—small technology is expensive.

Car Door Locks Are Complex Systems

Even before computer chips took over your car, the door lock has always been a complicated bit of technology. Think about it—this mechanism has to unlock the door from the inside and outside, and then allow you to open it. When you close the door, the same mechanics come into play, only in reverse—the door has to shut, remain closed, and lock.

These days, the humble system of gears and latches also features a computer chip to manage the locking remotely—a move that's great when you've got an armload of groceries but not so much when the thing breaks.

The Mechanics of the Modern Car Door Lock

When you're speaking with a locksmith or the dealer, it helps to know what you're talking about—you may need a small part instead of an entirely new locking system. Here's an easy-to-understand cheat sheet.

Door Lock Cylinder	This is what we think of as the "lock". It's the cylinder—the keyhole— on the door handle where you put the key. In newer cars, the cylinder might be hidden under a logo plate on the door or something, but it's definitely there. You can get a basic "door lock kit" at an auto supply store if you're a DIYer, but keep in mind that you'll need to know how to wire it into the existing system.
Door Lock Assembly	The assembly is the internal mechanism in the door. Yeah, if you're a DIYer you have to take off the door panel to reach it—it's on the side of the door, and houses the door latch. A strike plate surrounds the assembly. Anyway, it meshes with the handle and locking system to make the door open and close smoothly.
Door Lock Knobs/Switches	You've got to unlock the car from inside, right? Before computers took over the world, you had to punch down the knob on the top of the door to lock your car, but now, most cars self-lock as soon as you turn on the motor. So you have to free yourself to get out. Those golf-tee-looking knobs have morphed into buttons, switches, and who knows what's next on the armrest or console. If your problem turns out to be a worn-out switch, that's a simple fix that the staff at the auto store might fix for you.
Power Door Lock Actuator	If your actuator breaks down, be prepared to spend some serious money on a new one—the part itself can run over $1,000 (if that's you, the butler can take your car into the dealership). The actuator is the mechanism that controls the locking and unlocking in a power-locking system. It's a high-tech pulley, with a motor that pulls and pushes the gears that lock and unlock the door. This is also in the side panel of the door, but it's hidden behind the assembly.

How Can I Tell if the Actuator Is Bad?

There are a few tell to let you if the actuator has worn out. When the other parts of the lock go bad you might have one failure, but if it's the actuator there are several signs.

Doors don't lock or unlock
Doors lock or unlock sometimes, but not always
Doors make strange noises when the mechanisms are active
Car alarm randomly activates

How to Find the Best Repair Option for a New Car Door Locking System

The dealership where you bought the car is usually the last resort for most people since they are usually a lot more expensive. DoNotPay can help you find the best deals on the parts you need, from windshields to tires. Our research includes the following information:

Best price quotes for parts and labor
Customer reviews—does the repair shop try to sell you on other work, do they offer a strong warranty, etc
Details about the company—how long they've been in business, shuttle availability, do they offer onsite repairs.

In fact, we can do this for almost any appliance, TV, or computer—even game consoles and broken screens.

Here Is How to Start Saving on Repairs With DoNotPay

How to start saving on repairs with DoNotPay:

Search for Quote My Repair on DoNotPay.
Enter the details of the repair you need.
Let DoNotPay find competitive rates for that repair in your area and any relevant information to keep you from being overcharged.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay can help you with all the repairs from:

DoNotPay is your one-stop-shop for finding the best and most competitive auto repairs. And everything else. If your repair shop did shoddy work, we can help you claim the warranty, or get a refund or chargeback from the credit card company. When you're traveling, we can help you find discounts and negotiate your hotel bill–and help you get cash back from a gift card.

We can also find help for paying utility and other bills when unanticipated repairs take you by surprise. DoNotPay is here to help you navigate life's twists and turns, no matter where they might lead.