I took a left turn today in my 2017 XFS and the rear right-side door swung open. WTF?! I thought somehow I hadn't closed it properly, but when I pulled over and checked it, the door just bounced open and wouldn't latch closed. Fortunately I didn't have the kids in the car and the door didn't hit anyone or anything when it swung open, but I'm massively shocked that the door latch can fail like that.

Is this a common fault? Any ideas what might have caused it to fail like that?

I had a poke around when I got back home. If I press a screwdriver into the latch mechanism it still closes around the screwdriver, but it doesn't hold it like the latches on the other doors, it just pops right back open when I stop pressing the screwdriver into it. There's a hole near the latch that's meant to be used with the mechanical key (covered by a piece of plastic embossed with a lock that can be removed with the mechanical key). If I insert the mechanical key in that hole and twist it clockwise while pushing a screwdriver into the latch mechanism then the mechanism holds even if I remove the screwdriver, but as soon as I release the pressure on the mechanical key it pops open. I'm guessing some mechanical component in the latch actuator has failed for some reason.

It looks pretty straightforward to replace the latch actuator so I'm planning to get one ordered and hopefully that will fix the issue and allow me to close the door again, but I'm obviously concerned about the other doors failing in the same way. I'll have a look at the latch actuator when I remove it for any hints as to why it failed, but in the meantime if anyone has come across this issue before and has any idea what might have caused it then it would be good to know! Maybe it was just a freak occurrence. Maybe I need to check and/or replace the latch actuators in the other doors.

Cheers!

 

Def not a common mode of failure, but I have seen enough other things go bad in the door latches that I'm not too surprised. That manual key hole you found is for emergency locking if the battery is dead, it sounds like whatever retains the latch in the 'closed' position broke inside. Replace the door latch assembly.

I will say there is some what of a history with JLR and door latches, if you have a good relationship with your local dealer, it might be worth asking if there's anything they can do to goodwill towards this. I know the car is 10 years old but this is a safety issue and they have recalled Rovers for the door latches not staying latched under certain types of failures, they might cut you a break on it. Probably not worth the time/effort honestly, much quicker to pop a latch in there yourself. If you need a copy of the replacement process I'd be happy to attach it here.

 

Curious/subscribe.

 

Cheers @RoverJoe

I managed to grab a new latch off ebay although I couldn't find an exact match for the model number within the UK. The faulty one was numbered GX63 24994-EC (RR RH DL PE ECS) and made in Feb 2017, the closest I could find in the UK was GX63 24994-ED (RR RH DL PE ECS) and made in Sep 2017.

It was pretty straightforward to replace. The only issue is that keyless entry doesn't work on that door now. I'm not sure if that's a fault with the replacement part or whether the ED version isn't completely compatible. Either way, I can close the door and lock my car again. No more bungee cords to hold it shut!

I'm going to see if I can open up the old latch tomorrow and work out why it failed. I'll report back afterwards.

 

I would suggest a newer one rather than an older part #, that suffix code is a variant #, so the EE is the next one after the ED usually but the production dates don't make sense for that. Maybe you did get one for a car without keyless entry, could test fairly easily if you wanted to verify that it's the latch with a DVOM and some basic checks.

 

I think I've got you mixed up. The part I bought is a newer part based on the variant/revision and production dates (old/broken part was EC and made in Feb '17, the one I bought and replaced it with is ED and made in Sep '17).

I'd be interested in how to test whether the part does support keyless entry. This is the one I bought if that helps: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286721506606. I still have keyless entry on the other doors though, it just means I have to take an extra step or reach a little farther if I'm putting the sprog in the back.

I've seen some suggestions that disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes might cause something to reset somewhere and get it working. Worth a try tomorrow I suppose.

 

The door latch design should be failsafe.
My XF door latches are 2 stage so if the main latching mechanism fails I presume the 2nd stage restrains the door from openening.
Similar to the 2 stage bonnet release.
Failure of a door latch such as yours could easily lead to death or injury to a passenger if they are not wearing a seat belt.
Or it could knock somebody off a motorbike for instance.
Jaguar could be sued for millions due to faulty design or assembly of the latch.
Their lawyers and accountants would have hysterics because if proven a faulty design or assembly a total recall of all cars might be mandatory.
Here in Australia it would attract the attention of both the Australian Design Rules that govern automotive matters and the consumer protection organistaion.
There is no manufacturer's age limit for dealing with serious safety concerns.
I would expect Jaguar to apologise for a serious safety breach and pay for a new latch to be fitted.

 

There have been recalls on Land Rovers for potential latch failures/unintended door opening relating to the fast unlock system. I do not know if the XF latch is built the same way though.