In a planetary gear mechanism of a vehicle door closer device, a planetary gear meshes with a sun gear and a ring gear. When the ring gear turns in one direction, the planetary gear orbits while it turns on its own axis. A closing lever is pivoted on the planetary gear and turns with orbiting of the planetary gear to move the latch to a full-latch position to enable the door to close. When the ring gear turns in the other direction, the planetary gear turns on its own axis and the sun gear turns to allow the ratchet to release from the latch to to enable the door to open.The planetary gear mechanism slows down a motor and a motion is transmitted to the ratchet to enable the ratchet to release from the latch. When the motor stops, the motion is disconnected to enable the ratchet to return to engagement with the latch.