Latches/locks/linkage Problems of BMW 325 - part 1

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the doors would not unlock. The contact attempted to unlock the doors manually and by using the key fob but failed to respond. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The failure could not be duplicated or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

See all problems of the 2004 BMW 325 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the electronic key fob failed to unlock the vehicle. The contact stated that the door had to be opened manually however the front and rear drivers side doors failed to open manually. The failure occurred on one occasion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

See all problems of the 2006 BMW 325 🔎.

Doors will not unlock from remote key or unlock button inside car or from doors handle inside or outside car and will trap passengers inside. Only driver side door opens with door key. Doors can not be locked from remote key except driver side door. Totally unsafe to drive for chance getting trapped inside car. No manual door open feature exists.

I was parking and turned off the car and was not able to open the driver's side door. Usually I just need to pull the handle twice and it opens but this time it would not open. I tried the electric remote to unlock the doors and it did not affect the locks. I tried the passenger door and it did not open either. I had to exit the car from the back doors. I determined a fuse was blown and replaced the 15a fuse with a 20a fuse as recommended by the BMW forum and it now works fine. The concern is if I had to exit the car from the front doors, I would have been trapped.

The rear door lock is not working - the handles do not open the door from the inside - the lock actuator is faulty and needs to be replaced again. So far I have had the front door lock actuators and the rear driver side actuators replaced. BMW will not fix the actuators even though the part has been changed out before, is a known issue, and the actuators have been superseded two times by BMW.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that all of the doors in the vehicle were locked and could not be opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the electric lock switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325i. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted numerous times to access the exterior front driver's side door with the remote key fob and also manually however, the lock mechanism would not open. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who informed the contact that the door lock, remote key fob and power door actuator would need to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. The VIN was unavailable.

See all problems of the 2003 BMW 325 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that he was unable to open any of the vehicle doors, other than the driver side, by using the key fob or manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that one of the lock mechanisms was defective and the sensor was not strong enough as a result both the lock mechanism and sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 76,000. Updated 06/06/12 the consumer stated the same failure occurred to the fuel door, rendering him unable to fuel the car. Updated 06/07/12.

The central locking system intermittently fails to operate; problem is influenced by temperature extremes (hot and cold); symptoms vary from requiring the driver to lock and unlock the vehicle several times before the doors will unlock to a complete failure of all doors to unlock. When the problem manifests itself, the central electric door lock button (mounted in the center console beside the hazard light switch) is inoperable. BMW crash safety features include mechanical disconnect of door latches when locked; when this particular problem manifests, sometimes the passenger side doors will remain mechanically disconnected, meaning that the doors cannot be opened at all. In a worst case scenario, if the driver's side of the vehicle unusable for escape due to damage or being blocked, the only way to escape from the vehicle is by smashing windows. Bmws are not equipped with a glass break device. The problem seems to be a body module called the gm5, which is mounted above/in front of the glove box; all lock power circuits run through this module; the problem seems to be a voltage drop in the module, resulting in insufficient voltage to the lock mechanisms, as you can hear the locks attempting to cycle when and can see the lock buttons moving when the key fob is used in an attempt to unlock the doors. A google search of the terms "BMW","doors won't unlock" gets at least 10 pages of results on the issue, including several that identify the gm5 module as the cause of the problem and ways to fix it. Repair requires a new gm5 module that needs to be programmed prior to install.

Vehicle locks do not respond to unlock or lock command from key fob or from car unlock/lock switch. Hazardous problem, potential life risk for children.

My passengers and I were trying to get back into my parked car, but when I used my key fob to unlock the doors only the passenger doors unlocked while the driver's door didn't. I tried to unlock the driver's door by using the lock/ unlock button located in the car. This did not work, and it locked the passenger doors again. I then tried to unlock the doors simultaneously by trying the key fob and the manual lock/ unlock button inside of the car a few more times, but none of the doors unlocked this time. We all heard the car attempting to lock and unlock, but the locks were not moving. I wasn't able to unlock any of the doors with the key fob or with the door lock/ unlock button inside the car, (the passengers were already in the car) so I used the emergency cut-out key located inside of the key fob to manually open the driver's door to get in. When I stopped to get gas on the same night, I found out that the gas cap was also locked, so we left. When we arrived back at my residence, everyone climbed out of the driver's seat. Finally, this morning after I manually unlocked the car with the emergency key, I noticed that the seat memory was also unresponsive. With less than 1/8 of a tank left, I will have to tow the car to the dealership because it will not make it on the gas left in the tank. This is a serious issue because if we were to have gotten in any type of accident or were in some unforeseen trouble while in the car with only seconds to react and get out of the car, it would have most likely ended up in multiple fatalities because of the inability to get out of the vehicle in a hasty manner. Please investigate and recall this issue before something like this does happen during and/ or after a car accident and people die because they are trapped in a car due to the electrical/ lock malfunction. Thank you.

There is a well known issue with BMW model years 2006 and 2007 3 series models. There seems to be some problem with the door lock actuators and/or the fuse's for the door locks. When they fail you are only able to escape the car through the drivers side door. None of the other doors on the car will open from the inside or outside. In order to fix the issue you have to replace the door lock actuators and the fuse's. It really seems like there should be a recall on this issue as it is such a huge safety problem. What happens when I have a car full of people and heaven forbid it catches on fire or there is an accident and the drivers side door is damaged? we all die?.

When trying to unlock the vehicle using the remote, the doors would not unlock. The vehicle has only one manual unlock latch for key insert into the door on the drivers door. Was able to unlock only the drivers door. The remaining three doors cannot be unlocked at all, not even when opening from the inside. Also the gas tank door will not open either. This is not an isolated problem numerous vehicles of this make, model, and year are having the same issue. If there is an emergency, there is no way to get out of the three locked doors. Huge safety concern!!!! found a blown fuse, and replaced, but it did not correct the problem. This is a serious issue, and there should be a recall for this problem. Check the complaint list, please.

2004 BMW 325xi electronic door locks fail to unlock intermittently whether I am outside the car or inside the car. The key fob will intermittently not unlock the doors. The internal mechanisms will not unlock the door including the door handles themselves once the lock is engaged. The failure is an electronic issue and is a signficant safety issue if I cannot get out of the car.

2006 BMW 325i. After parking with my wife in the front seat and my elderly parents in the back seats, only the driver's side door would unlock. The central locking system would not unlock the doors. Neither would the remote or the interior door handles. My wife and elderly parents had to climb over the center console and from the back seat to exit the car via the driver's door. This is a safety hazard if people are trapped in the car. What if there was a fire? this is due to a design flaw with BMW cars where a 15amp fuse was installed for the door mechanism. BMW has issued a service bulletin ( 51 19 07 ) which calls for replacing the 15amp fuse for a 20 amp fuse to resolve this issue.

This has been an ongoing issue regarding the door locks on my 2003 BMW 325 xi. The doors automatically lock when the vehicle is placed into gear. Which I assume is as designed. ? however the doors will not unlock once the vehicle is placed back in park (engine running or not) neither by manual manipulation of the lock buttons on the doors or by pressing the door unlock switch on the console. ? furthermore, with the single exception of the driver?s door, all other door latches are rendered non-functioning (inside and outside of the vehicle) ? no one but the drive can open a door to exit the vehicle all doors are rendered inop, you can?t open them from either this inside or the outside o no, the child locks are not engaged. As a member of the fire service and fire marshall for the city of carver, mn I see this as a huge life safety issue. If there were ever a fire, the occupants would not be able to self-extricate (open the door to escape smoke and fire). Furthermore, given the likelihood and great potential for rapid fire spread in car fires in general?. Any passengers, children/infants strapped into in car seats in the back seats would most certainly perish. Based on a multitude of consumer complaints on various internet boards, I do not believe this to be an issue specific to my car, but much broader in scope. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

3 of the 4 door locks on my 2006 BMW 325xi failed. A friend was in the passenger seat and once we stopped and attempted to get out, the passenger door would not open. She was trapped in the car and had to be removed via the passenger window. The two rear doors and one passenger door would not open either. The buttons would not work to open them and the doors could not be opened by pulling the handle inside. My 76 year old grandmother had just left the car 20 minutes earlier and has difficulty with mobility, it was 94 degrees today, what would I do if she was trapped in the car in this heat? the problem is constant and no corrective actions have been taken for fear of further damage.

Door locks stopped working with key fob and central locking system. Rear driver side door would not open at all. Replaced fuse but this still did not allow door to open. This is a major safety issue!!.

The doors will not unlock in my 2003 325i 4 door sedan. Apparently, a module goes bad and could trap people in the car with no way to get out.

Door lock failure on 2006 BMW 325i. All the door locks will not unlock. The passenger side door and both rear doors will not unlock. I went to lock the car and heard a clicking noise and the doors locked but would not unlock. Only the driver's side door can open now. I cannot even open the other doors with the key fob or the central locking button. We had to climb in the back and get our 7 month old baby out through the rear passenger window because the doors would not open.

The key fob fails to lock/unlock the doors. The central lock/unlock switch fails to lock/unlock the doors to allow the driver to come out of the car. The door latch inside the car does not open the door either. They only way to open the door is to use the key to unlock the door from outside.

The driver's side door latch freezes up and doesn't open unless you key in from outside.

All the door locks would not work whether I used the key fob or the central unlock button. Could not even open up doors from inside. If I would have had kids in my car and an emergency existed then I would have been unable to get them out the door let alone getting myself out. I replaced the fuse and the doors worked for a few weeks and now the door lock issue has resurfaced. I googled the problem and it turns out that BMW has had this door lock fuse/door actuator issue for a long long time, and there hasn't been a recall. This is dangerous (life threatening) and deserves a recall. BMW only wants to replace the 15a fuse with a 20a fuse for a fix, but doing this doesn't fix the root problem.

BMW has a service bulletin (sib-51-19-07) on the BMW vehicles: doors will not unlock using the key fob or central locking button. This is a major safety concern for when this occurs there is only one exit (and entry) into the vehicle and that is through the driver's side door. In the event of an accident and the ability/mobility of the passengers this may not be possible. My 2006 325i BMW (VIN: wbavb13536kr59884) is having its front door locking/latching assembles replaced due to them malfunctioning and causing a short in the system. This short is causing the fuse which unlocks the doors to blow which creates a safety issue for passengers not being able to unlock their doors to exit the vehicle (except for the driver’s door) in the event one needs to exit in an emergency (or just entering or exiting the BMW). As a matter of fact, my former mother-in-law has a 2006 325i BMW and she just had her BMW serviced for the same issue. From what I am being told the cost to repair these locking/latching assemble will run about $750-800 (parts and labor). In my opinion, this being a safety issue caused by defective parts should be a recall replacement vs a consumer cost.

All 4 doors will not unlock and open.

Door locking issues, doors will not open from inside of the car when handle is opened by passengers. Doors will not unlock via key fob. Possible issue with control module gm5 within the BMW dashboard.

2006 BMW 325i door lock/latch failure. Unable to open doors with key fob. Doors will lock but now not possible to open any doors with fob or with lock/unlock button inside car. Must unlock driver's side door with valet key. Fuel door also locked and will not open. All ready had this problem fixed approximately one year ago.

Doors will no longer unlock using remote key fob or interior door unlocking button. Only driver's side door will open manually.

2006 BMW 325 I - door lock actuators should have been recalled by bwm. They are faulty and BMW suggests when one fails you replace both for over $800. 00. Known problem by BMW but refuses to help, only charge.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that all four door locks could not be opened from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the computer chip needed to be replaced at the owners expense of $1000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that they would not assist. The failure mileage was 46,000.

3 of the 4 car doors have locked up and cannot be opened electrically or mechanically from the inside or the outside. In case of an accident and/or fire, three of the car's occupants would be trapped inside.

Went to unlock doors in 2006 BMW 325i and there was a rapid clicking sound in the front passenger door. The power locks failed to respond afterwards and both front doors remained locked. The fob, nor the internal unlock button would allow the doors to be unlocked and attempting to open the doors from the inside did not work either. Only the driver's door can be manually unlocked by physical key, pulling the handle from the inside also did not open the door.

I was in my car (BMW 325i - 2006) with two kids, a toddler and a newborn. I locked the door and window because my toddler wanted to open the door. Later I tried to roll down the rear window and heard a crack. The window was broken. This is a big safety issue especially you have kids in the car. I had to drive home with the window broken and down with my kids in there. The weather was cold and of course was very dangerous because my toddler knows how to open the seat belt and also possessed dangerous to other vehicles as she can throw toys out of the window. I will take my vehicle to BMW dealer tomorrow to see what they can do to fix the situation. I've never had expected that I can roll down the window while it is locked. How do I suppose to remember that the window has been locked or what if my spouse locked it while she drove. I've never had this issue with other vehicles.

The door locks have failed twice on my 2006 BMW 325i. The only possible way to open the car is by using the exterior key. The rear doors will not open and the ppassengers had to crawl across the seats to exit the car. They just failed without warning.

Often, the doors will not unlock on our 2004 BMW 325i sedan, although they are consistently lockable. This includes using the remote key fob, the central console unlock button and also manually pulling the door latches from inside the vehicle. This means that only by breaking a window will we be able to exit the car in the event of an emergency. Repeatedly toggling the unlock buttons will eventually unlock the doors, but sometimes only after several minutes. We just found out that this is a well-known problem with the BMW's gm5 module, but the manufacturer refuses to acknowledge the defect. . Read more...