This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Passenger doors would not unlock. All passengers needed to exit through the drivers door. This would be a safety issue if in an accident and passengers could not open door to exit vehicle.
Rear door lock actuator would not allow rear door to open. Had fixed and then drivers door actuator failed and would not open. Could not get out of vehicle.
Vehicle electric door locks (actuators) do not operate properly. Unable to exit driver's door from inside of vehicle by pulling handle. If there was a crash and/or fire, there would be no way to exit quickly. Common problem with this vehicle according to BMW forum in the internet (bimmerpost).
Stopped in a parking lot and locked the door after getting out of the car. The door locks didn't open when trying to open with the remote. The door fuse and actuator blew up. Opened the door with the key and sat inside the car. The doors locked and then couldn't unlock the doors to get out. I was trapped in the car.
- Kings Park, NY, USA
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Yesterday, the doors on my 2006 325I wouldn't unlock with the key fob. I used the actual key to enter the car and the central locking/unlocking button does not unlock the doors. The door to the gas tank is also locked. There is no way to unlock any of the passenger doors which poses a safety hazard. In reading through online forums, this is a common problem that should be addressed by BMW. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact stated that a passenger became locked in the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and locked the doors using the automatic key fob however, the passenger was then unable to unlock and exit the vehicle using the manual door lock. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 04/03/13 the consumer no longer owns this vehicle. The consumer stated a mechanic advised this is how the vehicle protects itself from theft in the event someone breaks the window. Updated 04/19/2013
Passenger door locks will not respond to fob or central lock/unlock controller. The door will unlock and open from the inside, but will not open with key, fob, or central locking console button. This happened when I first purchased the vehicle in 2010, and again at the end of 2011. This is and continues to be a safety hazard. If the door(s) lock and are unable to be unlocked, it would cause loss of life.
I tried to get out of my car but the drivers door would not unlock. Tried using the key, but it still won't unlock. I had to climb out the passenger door! door will not open at all!
I went to pick up my daughter from marching band practice on a Saturday afternoon. When I pulled into the parking lot at her high school and got out, I went to lock the doors. I heard a strange sound and noticed that the drivers doors were locked, the passengers doors were unlocked. The key fob would not work anymore on any of the doors but would work on the trunk. I got in the front passenger door and crawled over to the driver side and tried the door and it would not open from the inside. The central lock button also would not work. I crawled out and tried the drivers side door with the key. It did unlock with the key. None of the other doors would respond from the inside. After I got the drivers side door to unlock with the key, my key fob would work on the drivers side door only. Because my kids decided to "help mom" by pushing the locks down manually - now all of the doors are locked and won't budge except the drivers side. I effectively can't use the car for anyone except myself because no one can enter - and more importantly exit from the car except for crawling over seats. This is a dangerous situation. There should be someone way to open the doors manually. Judging by the number of complaints - BMW is aware of this issue but chooses not to issue a recall.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while parked he attempted to unlock the front drivers side door but the door failed to unlock. The contact was able to open the window and unlock the door from the outside using her key. The contact stated she was unable to unlock the door from outside or inside. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the lock actuator needed to be replaced. After the repair the rear passenger side door would not unlock. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Requesting research for recall into known issue with BMW service bulletin on door lock actuators: I was parked, and used my key remote to open the doors as I always do, but the doors would not unlock. The only one that stays unlocked (the lock does not go down when I click the alarm) is the right rear door lock. I, therefore, have to use the hard plastic emergency key (from the glove compartment) to manually unlock my driver door each time. I find this a safety issue as I sometimes work until late at night and have to fumble to get the key to unlock the front driver side. I checked to see if there was a recall on this, and there was not, but what I did find, were quite a large number of complaints about this issue on a variety of BMW models, older and newer. Some BMW owners reported that they were stuck in their cars, because the doors would not unlock from the inside, so passengers (such as my mother had to do several times) have to climb around in the car to climb out of the only door that opens. I also discovered there was a service bulletin notice on this issue. The owners whose factory warranty has run out are still having to pay out of pocket to have this issue repaired. Many are attempting to learn from do-it-yourself websites to avoid the cost of repairing this issue. Please can you research and make this a recall, it is highly uncomfortable to have passengers climbing in by adjusting seats and climbing out because of this door lock actuator known issue, that has been occurring for years in BMW cars. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power door locks failed. No way to open passenger door even with internal handle. Passenger trapped and had to crawl over to driver's seat. Would be a catastrophe in an accident.
Door locks malfunctioned and driver became locked in car. Door locks could not be disengaged inside the car with keys, internal buttons, or door handles.
Door actuator has failed to work. Alarm also being effected. Known problem to manufacturer, BMW. Saftey concern if unable to exit vehicle in case of emergency.
2006 BMW 330I - complete failure of all door locking mechanisms resulting in the inability to both rear doors and passenger front door, from the inside or outside. This occurred from an electrical short in the door lock actuator, causing numerous fuses to blow. This happened from normal use of the remote key less entry system. There were no accidents involved.
Drivers side door lock is failing and locking me inside the vehicle. I can only open the door with the key in the keyhole. Electronic lock doesn't unlock.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact stated the doors would not unlock automatically or manually. The contact was forced to climb out of the drivers side window in order to get out of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing who confirmed the actuator was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer filed report S32869 and advised the contact they would not assist with the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current miles were 48,900. The consumer stated the cost to repair the vehicle was $1,000. Updated 08/04/11
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Minneapolis, MN, USA