Here are five organized labels you can use to categorize your information on door seals, latches, and related recalls.
1. Safety Recalls & Manufacturer Alerts
This label is for official government or manufacturer notices. It focuses on high-priority defects where doors may fly open while driving or fail to latch upon closing.
Key focus: NHTSA IDs, VIN-specific recalls, and "Stop Drive" orders.
2. Latch Mechanism & Actuator Failures
Use this for technical issues involving the hardware inside the door. This covers mechanical sticking, electrical motor failures in power locks, and broken internal cables.
Key focus: Frozen latches, broken springs, and central locking malfunctions.
3. Weatherstripping & Seal Integrity
This category focuses on the rubber components. It’s ideal for documenting issues like wind noise, water leaks, or seals that have become brittle and are interfering with the door's ability to close flush.
Key focus: Dry rot, adhesive peeling, and cabin drafts.
4. Alignment & Striker Plate Adjustments
Sometimes the latch is fine, but the door is physically misaligned. This label covers "sagging" doors or striker plates that have shifted, causing the latch to miss its target.
Key focus: Hinge wear, body panel gaps, and mounting bolt tension.
5. Diagnostic Guides & Repair Logs
A practical label for DIY troubleshooting or tracking professional service history. It helps separate the "symptoms" (the door won't stay shut) from the "solutions" (lubricating the mechanism or replacing a part).
Key focus: Step-by-step fixes, cost estimates, and part numbers.
