2006 BMW 3 Series: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Body · 134,000 miles · MO

As I put the vehicle in park and tried to exit the vehicle the door would not open. I pulled the handle and tried the key fob and nothing would make it unlock. I had to crawl to the passenger side to exit the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened and it is a known fuse problem that is faulty and very dangerous if you happen to be in an accident and need to escape your vehicle quickly. Having a driver door that absolutely will not open is a complete disregard for common sense and public safety.

Filed Sep 11, 2013 · Steering · 149,000 miles · TN

Received yellow steering wheel and lock icon when trying to start the car. Attempted using different keys, but the car would not start and the steering wheel remained immobile. I exited the car and waited about 30 minutes to try again, but received yellow steering wheel with lock icon again when putting the key fob into the vehicle. When I called the dealership, I was quoted about $1200 as soon as I described the yellow steering wheel and lock, without them having seen the vehicle. The sa also mentioned that the newer models don't even have this feature at all. I was also advised that it is not a bmw responsibility or defect, and that I would be responsible for all shop repairs and time. Doing research about this issue, I found this is a very well documented and known issue. This seems to be due to poor design by the auto manufacturer, so much so that the "feature" isn't even included on newer models of the vehicle at all.

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 100,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 30, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 78,540 miles · GA

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.

Filed May 8, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 50,700 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 3 series. While parked, the contact attempted to open the driver?s side door using the electronic key fob but the door would not open. The contact eventually opened the front driver?s side door with the handle and was able to enter the vehicle. The same failure occurred on all other doors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technicians stated that the door actuators on all doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,700. Updated 05/31/12 *bf the doors would not open from the outside or the inside due to the failure of the actuators. A mechanical override failed and the door handles would not work. The key only worked in the driver's door.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Locks · 85,500 miles · CA

The door locks on my car failed resulting in not being able to unlock any of the doors with the key fob. I can unlock the driver side door with the valet key. None of the other doors can be unlocked and can not even be opened from the inside. If someone got locked inside the car, they could be in serious trouble. Not to mention the fact that if in an accident any passengers in my car would have been unable to get out because the door locks malfunctioned.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Locks · 55,000 miles · CA

The door locks on my car failed resulting in not being able to unlock any of the doors with the key fob. I can unlock the driver side door with the valet key. None of the other doors can be unlocked and can not even be opened from the inside. This is a safety issue with the heat in southern california recently someone getting locked inside their car could be in serious trouble. Not to mention the fact that if in an accident any passengers in my car would have been unable to get out because the door locks malfunctioned.