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The 3 Most Common GM Door Handle Problems

Are you a GM owner with a door handle that isn’t working quite right? The first thing you want to do is to identify the issue so you can successfully fix it. This guide will help you with that.

Let’s talk about the 3 most common door handle problems plaguing GM car owners.

1. Interior Handle Breaking Off

Many Sierra owners, Chevrolet HHR owners, and other GM car owners can tell you that they’ve had their interior door handle break off unexpectedly. No one knows what’s exactly causing this issue to crop up everywhere, but many people have their suspicions. Some people attribute the issue to the quality of the plastic, and others point their finger at the door mechanism. Whatever the issue, paying a GM dealer to replace the interior door handle can run about $300-$600.

Replacing your GM interior handle doesn’t have to be so expensive. You can order a genuine OEM interior door handle and then replace it yourself with a model-specific tutorial online.

2. Exterior Handle Sticking Open

Image Credit: Dirk Wakeham

According to some GM owners, the exterior door handle is prone to sticking open. The general consensus is that this issue causes trouble unlocking or opening the door, which can be quite dangerous. Some owners have to roll down their windows to push in the exterior handle before they’re able to unlock or open their door from the inside. If you have electric windows, and your vehicle lost electrical power, you could be stuck inside your vehicle.

That’s why an exterior door handle that stays stuck in the pulled out position needs to be replaced as soon as possible. A door handle replacement can be quite pricey, but there’s a way to save a lot of money:

  1. Order a genuine OEM exterior door handle from us at an affordable price.
  2. Replace the handle yourself with a model-specific tutorial. You’ll likely find one on YouTube.

3. Peeling Interior or Exterior Handle

A peeling door handle isn’t a serious issue, but it’s certainly annoying. First, it doesn’t look good. Second, peeling chrome or paint creates some pretty sharp edges. Since you have to touch the door handle to enter or exit your car, the edges can cut you, especially if they’re hidden behind the handle.

If you have a peeling door handle, you can either fix it or replace it. To fix it, sand it down and then apply a fresh coat of paint. There’s no guarantee that the repair job is going to look good, though. The paint might not even match the rest of the car. Sometimes it’s just easier to replace the handle, which you can do at home with a model-specific tutorial.

If you’re looking to replace your door handle and you don’t know where to start, you’re welcome to contact us for assistance.