Where Did “Suicide Doors” Get Their Name?

They were nicknamed “suicide doors” because early rear-hinged car doors could fly open at speed and, caught by the airstream, pull occupants out or make closing them dangerously difficult—risks heightened in an era of weak latches and no seat belts. The term arose as motoring slang in the early 20th century and became widespread in U.S. car culture by the mid-century, though its exact first use is uncertain.

What Exactly Are “Suicide Doors”?

“Suicide doors” refer to doors hinged at the rear rather than the front. On automobiles, this configuration has been used for both front and rear doors. When a vehicle is moving forward, airflow tends to force a front-hinged door toward the closed position; by contrast, a rear-hinged door can be caught by the slipstream and pulled wider open if it unlatches, creating a hazard for anyone inside or attempting to close it.

How the Name Arose

Early Motoring Hazards

In the early decades of motoring, door latches were less robust, and seat belts were rare until the 1960s. If a rear-hinged door popped open at speed, wind pressure could wrench it wide, and an occupant leaning out to pull it shut risked being sucked out. Passengers also frequently exited directly into live traffic on the road side, compounding danger. These real-world risks—rather than any single dramatic incident—drove the grim nickname.

Etymology and Usage Timeline

While the precise first printed use is hard to pin down, usage patterns are clear: the label emerged from driver slang as cars proliferated, was reinforced by hot-rod and custom-car culture after World War II, and entered mainstream automotive journalism by the 1950s and 1960s.

The following timeline highlights how the term gained traction and how the design evolved in public perception.

• 1900s–1920s: Rear-hinged doors are common on early cars and carry undeniable risks amid rudimentary safety standards.
• 1930s: The “suicide” label circulates informally among motorists in the U.S., reflecting lived experience with latch failures and traffic hazards.
• 1950s–1960s: The term appears frequently in car magazines and enthusiast circles; the design becomes emblematic on models like the 1961–1969 Lincoln Continental.
• 2000s–present: Some premium and niche models revive rear-hinged doors with advanced latches and interlocks, but manufacturers avoid the morbid nickname, preferring “coach doors,” “rear-hinged,” or brand-specific terms.

Taken together, these milestones show a shift from a practical but risky layout to a carefully managed design feature, even as the colloquial name stuck in popular culture.

Myths Versus Facts

Several colorful explanations compete in popular lore. Here’s what aligns with the record versus what doesn’t.

• Myth: The name comes mainly from gangland use in the 1930s. Fact: While the era helped popularize the imagery, the nickname reflects everyday safety risks, not a single subculture.
• Myth: The doors were designed to be dangerous. Fact: Rear hinges had practical advantages (easy rear-seat access, elegant coachbuilding lines); the danger arose from early latch tech, airflow dynamics, and absent restraints.
• Myth: Modern versions are inherently unsafe. Fact: Contemporary systems use multi-point latches, electronic interlocks, and speed-based locks, greatly mitigating historic hazards.

The folklore adds drama, but the core reason for the name is the basic physics and safety context of early motoring, not conspiracy or intent.

Why Automakers Avoid the Term Today

Automakers largely eschew “suicide doors” in official materials due to its grim connotation and historic safety baggage. When the layout is used now—often for design flair or easier rear-seat access—companies emphasize modern safety engineering and adopt neutral or heritage-tinged terminology.

Several notable modern or recent vehicles have employed rear-hinged doors while rebranding the concept.

• Rolls-Royce Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn: “Coach doors,” evoking classic carriage-building.
• Mazda RX-8 and BMW i3: Small rear-hinged access doors paired with interlocks and reinforced structures.
• Pickup “extended cab” models (various brands): Rear-hinged half-doors for cabin access, typically opening only when the front door is open.
• Mini Clubman (first generation) and Honda Element: Asymmetric or utility-focused rear-hinged “club” or “access” doors.

These examples show how the configuration persists in carefully controlled forms, with branding and safety features distancing it from the old nickname.

Bottom Line

The moniker “suicide doors” emerged because early rear-hinged doors could turn a minor latch issue into a life-threatening event, especially before widespread seat belts and modern latches. The term crystallized in mid-20th-century automotive slang and media, and while the design lives on in refined ways, manufacturers today prefer less morbid, more heritage-oriented labels.

Summary

“Suicide doors” got their name from the real safety risks of early rear-hinged doors: if they opened while moving, wind could yank them wide and even pull occupants out, and stepping into traffic added danger. The phrase arose from motoring slang in the early auto era and spread widely by the 1950s–60s. Modern cars with rear-hinged doors use advanced latches and interlocks and are marketed with neutral terms like “coach doors,” reflecting how engineering tamed the hazard even if the nickname endures in popular speech.

Why are suicide doors not used anymore?

‘Suicide’ doors largely disappeared due to previously mentioned structural integrity issues resulting from having no B-Pillar which an increasing focus on safety and crash testing in the latter part of the last century would have driven.

Why do luxury cars have suicide doors?

Luxury vehicles from the Rolls-Royce lineup to the Lincoln Continental have featured suicide doors to eliminate or minimize the B-pillar and maximize entry space.

What is it called when a truck has suicide doors?

Extended Cab
• You have to open the front door to open. the back door. • The front door opens the opposite. direction of the back door. • Commonly referred to as ‘suicide doors’

Why did they call them suicide doors?

“Suicide doors” are called that because their rear-hinged design, coupled with the absence of seat belts in early vehicles, posed a significant risk of passengers falling out into traffic if the door accidentally opened while the car was in motion. Aerodynamic forces could spring the door open, and if a passenger grabbed for the handle to close it, they could be pulled out of the vehicle. 
Here’s a breakdown of the risks: 

• Falling out of the vehicle: Opens in new tabWithout seat belts, a person leaning out to close an open door could easily be pulled or fall onto the road and into traffic.
• Aerodynamic drag: Opens in new tabThe force of the wind would naturally push a rear-hinged door open, creating a hazard.
• Collision with other vehicles: Opens in new tabA speeding car passing a parked vehicle with suicide doors could be severely damaged, while a person partially out of the car might escape injury.

These doors were initially popular in horse-drawn carriages before being adapted for automobiles, and while the term reflects a serious safety concern, their use has declined in modern vehicles due to improved safety standards and features like seat belts.