Sticky front driver's door handles

[DJJeffMills]

Hey folks,

I noticed about 2-3 wks ago that the front driver's door handles (both the inside and outside) "stick" when you go to open them - - like there's a 'resistance' to it.

Car: Canadian 2007 Honda Civic EX (4-door) 5spd Gal. Grey

- The 'resistance' occurs when the handles are roughly halfway "pulled" (if that makes sense)
- It's worse in the warm/hot weather
- It is not as noticeable if you open the door - shut - open - shut in succession. If you let it 'sit' closed for 2...5..10...15 min + it'll start to do it again
- It's only the front driver's door
- the 'stickiness' is slightly noticeable when the door is open and you pull either of the handles (It happens primarily when the door is closed and one goes to open it)


Has anybody else had this problem?

Would it be a lubrication problem? Something not lining up perhaps in the door latch mechanism?

It'd be covered under warranty but I wanted to see if anybody else has been having the same issue.

[asndragonboii]

I have that problem on my 06 LX sedan. Driver side also.

To me, it feels like there are 2 stages to open the door. Pull it half way, it get's stuck, then use more force to overcome the stuckness, then it opens. It's not "stickyness" as in something gooey thats holding it in, more like something mechanical

I thought I was the cause of the problem because i took the door apart multiple times to deaden it. So i thought it was just wear and tear or something. It doesnt really bother me so i didnt go into any further investigation. But if you find a fix for it, post it up

[MutantCheese]

Mine feels the same, especially if I pull the handle when I'm standing to the rear of the door. If i stand directly on the side of the door and pull the handle straight out, there is less resistance.

[DJJeffMills]

Yeah...I agree with the '2 stage'-ness of opening it and you're right it's definitely something mechanical versus something that's goopy/sticky *shrug*.

Do you find it gets "worse" in the hot/warm weather? If I go out now (10:25pm) it likely won't do jack.

I told the gf and she rolls her eyes...meh...for an 8wk old car I expect the door handle to work goshdarn it

In all honesty, I'd likely just take it into the dealer and have them 'fix' it...I'm not incredibly mechanically inclined. Well, I did install a smoked licence plate cover on my front plate /struts

I'll keep people posted.

[06CivEXJon]

Are you guys thinking what im thinking too? like if you pull on the handle gently just once the door handle wont let you open the door? like you have to give it more pull to pull the door open? well mine does that sometimes you pull gently on the handle the door wont open but you give it more force it will open WTF?! anyone else have this problem? between the windows shaking/weak alternator supposedly to glass issues on this car to door handle pulls and cracked blocks i dont think i can take any more of this car so might be putting it up for sale pretty soon. (my block is not cracked but im terrified because i saw the thread about other peoples blocks getting cracked) and on top of that HOA has terrible customer service and terrible dealers (some) does Honda want to lose sales or something? because the 2005 Honda Civics did not have any problems like we are having what could it be?! their suppliers or the way they are building the civic now or what?!

[MutantCheese]

Thus is the way when you get a first year model makeover. I however, love my Si and will not be trading it in any time soon.

[DJJeffMills]

I feel your pain man...although I have less than 6,000km on this car I haven't experienced anything but a flat tire (sidewall puncture - unrepairable - 3 days after getting it --> Honda was nice enough to throw on Goodyear Eagle RS-A's at stockies...not the cheapest *meh*). Overall, I think Honda's are still at the top (or very near...up there with Toyota) in the least # of issues per vehicle.

I had a '98 Civic EX (Cdn 4-door) with 326,000km and the only things I replaced:
- 3 timing belts
- typical fluids
- left rear ball joint
- wiper blades, tires, brake pads, and headlight bulbs

*knock on wood*

Stupid door handle...I tried it just now and it's not as bad but it's still there.

Obviously if I open it with moderate enthusiasm it opens right up but I like to open it like a little old lady sometimes lol

[HTX]

my 07 did this to me once but i think it was the heat. I know what u mean about opening the door easy cuz the outside handles seem cheap and may break easily im not a fan of those but i love my car....

[ScottPrindle]

Originally Posted by DJJeffMills

Yeah...I agree with the '2 stage'-ness of opening it and you're right it's definitely something mechanical versus something that's goopy/sticky *shrug*.

stage 2 door handles, nice performance mod.

[06CivEXJon]

Im disappointed by the quality of the civic. What a let down from Honda...

[aac0036]

I know this thread is old, but I did a search and it's in existence... so no need to make a new one. I have the same problem:

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

It feels like there are 2 stages to open the door. Pull it half way, it get's stuck, then use more force to overcome the stuckness, then it opens. It's not "stickyness" as in something gooey thats holding it in, more like something mechanical

Except mine happens on both the interior and outside door handles on BOTH front doors. It's gotten to the point where my passenger thinks the door is still locked when they try the door. Did anyone end up getting theirs fixed? This is really frustrating since it happens almost 90% of the time.

It feels like you pull halfway and the handle stops suddenly like it's hitting something, then you pull harder and it feels like it clicks or slips past whatever it was hitting. My car is a "high traffic" area, so I feel like it's just going to break one of these days from use.


Here is a video of rear (normal) v. front (issue described here)

[aac0036]

video added for ref.

[JEBSi]

Probably something with the handle itself, but it could be a linkage rod or even the latch binding. Have to take the handle and maybe the door apart to see what is binding, moving, swelling, or interfering with the normal operation. Not too hard of a job but you should find out exactly how to do it before you begin because usually some clips need yanked on to pop apart and if you don't know where they are and that they are supposed to rip apart, then you might never get a door panel off. If it is under warranty, I would take it in, if not then find the directions in a service manual.

[xplicit503]

Either take the car in to get looked or take the panel off. Takes about 2 minutes to take the door panel off. Pop out the locking mechanism and check the wires. Take the weatherstrip off and look around.

Isn't there a door handle issue fix in the DIY section?