On my parents patriot, both the driver and passenger front doors are able to be opened while the vehicle is moving and the doors are in the locked position. The rear doors seem to function as expected, and cannot be opened when they are locked. Is this normal? It doesn't seem very safe for a passenger to be able to open the door after it has been locked, without unlocking it.

Yup it's normal, the old XJ's do it also and I would assume other Jeep vehicles.

Yep, normal. Rears can't cuz child safety locks are on.

I guess if your big enough for the front, your big enough to keep the doors shut while the vehicle is moving too.

Ive yet to see a vehicle with auto door locks that can't be opened from the inside while moving (front doors). I've had 6 vehicles that have had it and they all did the same thing.

If you have the EVIC, there is a setting to change that. Don't have the manual handy, but think it was something like auto unlock. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll bring the manual in next trip out. We have frost here in the desert this morning, so its cooollddd for us california people :)

If you have the EVIC, there is a setting to change that. Don't have the manual handy, but think it was something like auto unlock. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll bring the manual in next trip out. We have frost here in the desert this morning, so its cooollddd for us california people :)

They don't have the EVIC, but I'll read the manual and see what it says. Maybe there is a keyfob sequence.

If you have the EVIC, there is a setting to change that. Don't have the manual handy, but think it was something like auto unlock. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll bring the manual in next trip out. We have frost here in the desert this morning, so its cooollddd for us california people :)

Don't have my manual handy either, but I'm pretty sure the setting in the EVIC is to turn on/off a feature that unlocks ALL doors when the drivers door is opened.

Yep, normal. Rears can't cuz child safety locks are on.

I think he meant that the front doors can be opened WITHOUT LIFTING THE PLUNGER while the vehicle is moving, and that might not be changed through the EVIC.
Don't understand why they designed so...the other day my boyfriend accidentally opened the door while I was driving...and he is big enough...:doh:

Maybe the reason is that if you are in an accident you may need to get out in a hurry, without fumbling for the little knob while in panic mode??

I think he meant that the front doors can be opened WITHOUT LIFTING THE PLUNGER while the vehicle is moving, and that might not be changed through the EVIC.
Don't understand why they designed so...the other day my boyfriend accidentally opened the door while I was driving...and he is big enough...:doh:

ya, this has nothing to do with the EVIC, its how all Chrysler/Dodge/Jeeps are ... I know that some VWs you have to pull on the interior handle twice to open the door while its locked.

Ive yet to see a vehicle with auto door locks that can't be opened from the inside while moving (front doors). I've had 6 vehicles that have had it and they all did the same thing.

Same here, a number of various makes and models in the past 10 years all allow the front doors to open from the inside even if they are locked, but not the rears. This is independent of the child safety locks and EVIC. EVIC just controls if the doors lock and unlock, which can also be changes using key fob sequences.

ya, this has nothing to do with the EVIC, its how all Chrysler/Dodge/Jeeps are ... I know that some VWs you have to pull on the interior handle twice to open the door while its locked.

VW rear doors are like that, the front function the same as the jeep, pull the handle when the door is locked and the door opens...I don't see a problem with this.

here at Windsor Assembly, when I was on the door line inspection job part of the validation process on the RS and later the RT was to make sure that the inside handle functioned and raised the tombstone while the door was locked.

Both my neons were the same way as well. I think it is more of a convienience thing. Comes in handy with my Neon R/T which doesnt have power locks and it is just easier to flip the handle when my girlfriend needs to get into the car as opposed to fumbling witht he lock tombstone.

Doubt it can be changed on the electronic side of things. I'm pretty sure its a mechanical thing. I don't remember hearing the lock tombstone pop up when I pull the handle, but it being forced up due to the force of the handle.

Also, child-locks don't keep them locked when they try the handle. Child-locks disable the interior handles from opening at all, even if the vehicle is unlocked. You HAVE to open the rear doors from the exterior of the vehicle with child-locks on. :P

I think he meant that the front doors can be opened WITHOUT LIFTING THE PLUNGER while the vehicle is moving, and that might not be changed through the EVIC.
Don't understand why they designed so...the other day my boyfriend accidentally opened the door while I was driving...and he is big enough...:doh:

Maybe you should consider relegating him to the back seat until he knows better? :icon_rolleyes:

Volvos and Fords have been this way for a long time.

all Mopars since the 60's have had this feature, when the door is locked you can open it without unlocking the door lock button first, just by pulling on the inside handle.
The first question that comes to my mind is why would you want to open the door while the vehicle is moving??????
Tom

The first question that comes to my mind is why would you want to open the door while the vehicle is moving??????
Tom

Well, if you're being CARJACKED, you may want to BAIL OUT rather than go on a ride that may be your LAST! :doh:

My '87 Wrangler with full steel doors won't open until you push the unlock side of the rocker switch. It's annoying when you are reaching across to let somebody in, since there are no electric locks.

Most Ford built cars do this as a a matter of design. The Pat is the first Jeep I've owned that does this, but it is suppose to do this.