Why cars have “suicide doors” — and where the name comes from

They’re called “suicide doors” because early rear-hinged car doors could swing open into the airstream if a latch failed or a gust caught them, making it far easier for occupants to be pulled out or struck by traffic—especially in the pre–seat-belt era. The term dates to the mid-20th century custom and motoring vernacular, and while modern versions are safer and often marketed as “coach doors,” the ominous nickname stuck.

What the term actually refers to

In automotive use, “suicide doors” usually means doors hinged at the rear rather than the front. On many classic sedans the front doors were front-hinged and the rear doors were rear-hinged, creating a center-opening layout. On some coupes and specialty cars, the front doors themselves were rear-hinged. The design traces to horse-drawn carriages’ “coach doors,” prized for making entry and exit more graceful.

Why the name caught on

The label reflects the elevated risk profile of early rear-hinged doors compared with front-hinged ones, particularly before modern latches, seals, and seat belts became standard in the late 1960s. The aerodynamics and mechanics of a rear-hinged door make specific failure modes more dangerous at speed.

The key hazards enthusiasts and safety advocates pointed to were:

• If a latch failed or a door was not fully closed, the airstream tended to pull a rear-hinged door wider open, not closed, making it hard to grab and shut while moving.
• With no seat belts common in early decades, a sudden door opening increased the chance of occupant ejection during turns or evasive maneuvers.
• Early latching hardware and body rigidity were less robust; doors could spring open in crashes or over rough roads.
• Exiting on the traffic side placed the occupant closer to passing vehicles, and a rear-hinged door opens into traffic’s approach angle.

These factors, amplified by stories from the pre-regulation era, cemented the grim nickname in popular speech, even as engineering improved.

A brief timeline

Rear-hinged doors have cycled in and out of fashion for more than a century, shaped by style trends, safety standards, and brand positioning.

• Carriage era to 1920s: Rear-hinged “coach doors” are common as a carryover from horse-drawn coaches.
• 1930s–1940s: Widespread on sedans and coupes; the slang “suicide doors” emerges in motoring circles.
• Late 1960s: U.S. rules such as FMVSS 206 (effective 1968) mandate stronger door locks and retention; seat belts become standard, curbing the specific risks.
• 1961–1969: Lincoln Continental popularizes center-opening rear doors on a modern luxury sedan, later influencing the “coach door” branding.
• 2000s–present: Limited revival with added safety—e.g., Rolls‑Royce (Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn, Cullinan, Spectre), Mazda RX‑8 (2003–2012), Mini Clubman (2007–2014 “Clubdoor”), BMW i3 (2013–2022), Honda Element, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and numerous extended‑cab pickups with rear-hinged half-doors. Lincoln offered limited-run Continental “Coach Door Edition” sedans in 2019–2020.

Today, the layout appears mainly on luxury flagships and niche models, where it’s as much a design statement as a functional choice.

How modern versions address safety

Contemporary rear-hinged doors bear little mechanical resemblance to their early counterparts, thanks to stronger structures, electronics, and crash standards worldwide.

• High-strength latches and strikers rated to modern retention standards, plus “soft-close” power cinching that confirms full engagement.
• Speed-sensitive interlocks to inhibit opening at or above certain velocities and warning chimes for partial latches.
• Reinforced sills, roof rails, and, where applicable, integrated B-pillar structures or interlocking door edges to preserve side-impact performance.
• Comprehensive airbag coverage, including side and curtain airbags, mitigating ejection and injury risk.
• Door checks and hinges engineered to resist sudden overextension in crosswinds.

These measures largely neutralize the historical hazards, which is why manufacturers prefer the more elegant “coach doors” moniker for modern applications.

Terminology and persistent myths

Automakers rarely use “suicide doors” in official materials, favoring “coach doors,” “rear-hinged doors,” or “center-opening doors.” Colorful stories tie the name to gangsters or assassins allegedly shoving targets from moving cars; while memorable, those accounts are anecdotal and secondary to the real, documented safety concerns of early designs.

Where you’ll still see them

Although rarer than conventional doors, rear-hinged setups remain visible on certain luxury and specialty vehicles, as well as in the used market.

• Rolls‑Royce: Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn, Cullinan, and the electric Spectre all feature power-assisted coach doors.
• Limited editions: Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition (2019–2020) revived center-opening rear doors as a heritage cue.
• Niche/compact designs: BMW i3 and Mazda RX‑8 used rear-hinged rear doors to ease cabin access without full-size frames.
• Utility and lifestyle: Honda Element, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, and many extended‑cab pickups offered rear-hinged secondary doors to maximize opening width in tight footprints.

In most recent uses, the configuration emphasizes elegance, packaging efficiency, or dramatic showroom appeal rather than nostalgia for the past.

Summary

They’re called “suicide doors” because early rear-hinged doors could be forced open by airflow or weak latches, raising the risk of ejection or collision—especially before seat belts and modern retention standards. The term endures as colorful slang, while today’s manufacturers, armed with robust latches, electronic interlocks, and reinforced structures, prefer the more genteel “coach doors” to describe a layout now used mainly for luxury flourish and clever packaging.

What is the suicide door on a car?

A suicide door is an automobile door hinged at its rear rather than the front. Such doors were originally used on horse-drawn carriages but are rarely found on modern vehicles, primarily because they are less safe than front-hinged doors.

Why do they call car doors suicide doors?

And 30s most cars back then did not have seat belts. So if you were to open your door while moving you would literally. Just roll out of your car. And that would happen actually on accident.

Why don’t they make suicide doors on cars anymore?

The biggest issue with suicide doors is safety, and this is the reason they’re uncommon on modern vehicles. Before modern safety standards, when seat belts and effective door latches were rare, the dangers of suicide doors were more pronounced.

What is the new name for suicide doors?

Today, suicide doors are mostly found on custom cars or luxury vehicles. Some carmakers have even reintroduced this door style in recent years, offering a retro option for modern drivers. Several manufacturers have their own names, such as coach doors or FlexDoors, to help make the feature not sound so morbid.