[aavoltron]

Hi all,
I backed out of my garage without closing the rear right door on my 2014 volt. It caught in the corner of the garage and bent. I stopped quickly and pulled forward but the damage was done. The upper rear part of the door was bent out and forward, meaning that actual part is bent and the middle of the door has a diagonal bend all across it from the upper part of the door being bent.

My son pushed the window button before I could stop him and it actually still worked (though I didn't want to try it again after that) and the front door still closes fine as long as the rear door isn't at an angle where i gets in the way so I don't think anything but the door was damaged.

So what I'm trying to figure out is if I should try to have an auto body shop repair the door or just buy a replacement door. From what I can tell, replacement doors cost about $1250 new and I found a used one at a wrecking yard online, same color and 2013 so should be the same door, for just $350. Of course shipping would probably be a lot, but one of those options seems like the best bet. I just don't know how closely a body shop would be able to get it to looking normal. I also don't have a clue what this would cost yet since I've never had to use a body shop. I plan to get an estimate or two, though it's difficult to drive since the rear door won't close all the way now. I'd have to carefully strap it down.

Looking for opinions, anything to worry about (is there a problem with keyless entry if you replace the door? anything else that might go wrong?), and if I do replace the door, do I need to get a 2013 or 2014, or can I go with a 2011? Not sure if there was any physical change to that door between 2012 and 2013. I have the crystal red model so that color has been around since the beginning, and there are quite a few more to choose from online if 2011 would work.

Thanks!

Aaron

 

[Steverino]

No keyless entry on a 2011. But maybe you can use the parts from the current door.

My guess is a used door install would be less than trying to rebend a bent door (if it can even be done accurately).

 

[Loboc]

The parts between model years have a criss-cross at most salvage yards.

I'd go to a reputable collision specialist and find out answers before doing anything. The door jamb hinge area may need realignment, for example.

I recently (last year) crunched the rear door on my 2010 RAM pickup. I hit a pole in a parking lot wiping out the door handle and hitting the jamb behind the door as well. They fixed it in a week and I paid the deductible ($500). Undetectable repair. They just replaced the door skin and handle and kept the rest. As I recall, the total was somewhere around $1600 before insurance.

 

[llninja]

Good advice all around. The question I have, why didn't the volt bing and bong at you for driving with the door wide open? There are so many nanny warnings... I hate the car running triple honk when I stop to pick up mail at the PO Box.

 

[Stockholm Volt]

Can't see you have any serious issues. Lock hardware can be easily switched out if needed. One issue you might come across is paint match. Metallic red paint seems to fade differently in different climates.
Good luck with your repair. It'll be fine once it's done.

 

[aavoltron]

Thanks everyone! I just bought a 2012 door in good shape from a local wrecking yard for $425. Not sure if I'll be able to mount it or will have to take it in to have it done professionally but either way, will have a much better door to work with rather than trying to get the old one back in shape.
As for why the volt didn't ding to warn me, hmm, not sure. I bet it did and I thought my daughter just hadn't buckled her seatbelt yet.

Final question: to switch things out in order to make keyless entry work, is that something I'd be smart to try myself or not? I'm not scared of taking things apart and putting them back together again as long as it isn't something I could easily damage in the process. I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything to give it a try on the old door and see how easy the process is. thanks again.

 

[somms]

Thanks everyone! I just bought a 2012 door in good shape from a local wrecking yard for $425. Not sure if I'll be able to mount it or will have to take it in to have it done professionally but either way, will have a much better door to work with rather than trying to get the old one back in shape.

FWIW: I count all of 5 bolts required to remove in order to swap this door...

1. Apply masking tape to the wing and door edges.
2. Disconnect the door electrical connector.
3. Support the door before removing the hinge bolts.
Tighten
22 N·m (16 lb ft)

Rear Side Door Upper Hinge to Door Bolts (Qty: 2)
Tighten
30 N·m (22 lb ft)

Rear Side Door Lower Hinge to Door Bolts (Qty: 2)
Tighten
30 N·m (22 lb ft)

Rear Side Door
Procedure
1. With the help of an assistant, remove the door.
2. When replacing the door it is necessary to transfer all of the internal components.
3. Inspect the door for proper operation and alignment. Refer to Rear Side Door Adjustment.