Subaru Outback driver side door locked and unable to open from inside or outside on Subaru Outback

Submitted by Vehicle Owner · Jun 23, 2025
Published by RepairPal

Problem overview

Some Subaru Outback owners report experiencing issues with the driver side door being locked and unable to open from both inside and outside. These owners have tried using the key fob to unlock the door, but sometimes it does not work. When that happens, they may attempt to manually unlock the door by rotating the lock lever from the inside, indicated by a red mark, but this method can also fail. Some owners utilize the mechanical key attached to the key fob, inserting it into the keyhole, but they often find that it does not unlock the door despite feeling spring tension. Additionally, they may try the power door locking switch located on the driver's or passenger's side, which can sometimes resolve the issue. In cases where these methods do not succeed, some owners resort to using a slimjim to access the locking mechanism. It is advisable to explore these options to regain access to the vehicle.

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