2003 BMW 325I locks problems

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Body, Locks · 116,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the key failed to unlock every door. In addition, the locking mechanism switch failed to unlock the doors while inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was unlocked through the window of the vehicle manually. The front passenger side door was the only door that would not unlock manually. The battery warning indicator illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Locks · 122,000 miles · CA · 2 injuries

Vehicle has recurring locking issue. When inside the vehicle, door locks stop functioning. Pressing door lock button will not work. Pressing button on remote will not work. Attempting to manually open door using door handle will not work. This is a safety issue. The last incident both myself and my child were trapped inside the vehicle in the heat and had to call 911 as we did not have the key to roll down the window. The front window had to be broken and we had to be removed through a window because the door locks would not release. We were taken to the hospital for heat stroke. When I investigated, I found a girl died due to the same issue. Why has there been no recall? You have been warned and this is a fatal issue. Here is the link to the girls death: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-girl-trapped-in-bmw-dies-20140509-story.html.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 38,125 miles · OR

Remote unlocking/locking will not function. Doors can not be opened or unlocked from inside vehicle with central lock switch or with door handle, trapping passengers inside. The drivers window must be rolled down and key used to unlock driver side door to exit vehicle. Climbing out of windows or climbing to drivers seat is the only way out of car, bmw states "not a safety issue".

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 30,000 miles · CA

The car doors at times do not unlock. It is very intermittent. A key can be used to open the driver's door but a couple of times even the door key has not worked. The most serious issue is that I have been locked inside the car and unable to open any of the doors, including the driver's door, with the main lock control or even by trying to open the door with the inside door handle. I have had to have passengers crawl out of the window to exit the car a few times. There are times when the key works to get in but I cannot get the other doors open even by attempting to use the inside door handle. This is a scary situation to be in.

Filed Jun 22, 2012 · Locks · 104,000 miles · TX

Tl* 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.

Filed Jan 20, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · 101,000 miles · SC

Multiple intermittent problems with door locks failing to open either by key fob, depressing button inside car, or by pulling inside door handle. To exit car, must lower windows and insert key into outside keyhole. This is a serious hazard! Problem arises with no apparent cause, then will disappear a few days later with for no apparent reason. Bmw replaced actuator (?) and the problem appears to have disappeared, but it cost me $1400. Other electrical problem is with air bag warning light coming on after car sits undriven for more than a couple of days. Was told that air bags will not work with light on. No reason found. Battery checks out fully charged.

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · 114,000 miles · CA

My 2003 bmw 325i will not unlock. I cant get into the car. I have tried the key and the fob and the doors will not unlock. I had to break the window to get into the car only to find out the doors still will not unlock. This is a safety issue you cant unlock the doors from the inside or the outside. This is extremely concerning and a true safety issue.

Filed Dec 11, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · 59,000 miles · CA

Doors will not open because door locks will not unlock. Key fob button will not unlock any doors 90% of the time. Most of the time I can only get in car on drivers side with manual operation of driver's side door lock (sticking key in lock and turning). Once in car, 90% of time I still cannot unlock any other doors, even by pulling on door handle (which would ordinarily unlock the door). The interior button to unlock the doors will not work. On friday, 12/9/11, I could not even get out of the driver's side door when I arrived at my destination. (car is set to automatically engage all locks once I start driving) I had to roll window down and reach out and unlock door with key. When my son and daughter drive with me, they have to get in and out of car either by crawling across driver's seat or go through a window opening. My wife cannot ride in this car now because she may not be able to get out. Due to this defect, passengers are trapped in car. Also, entry into vehicle is delayed (because fob will not unlock doors) which also poses safety risks when parked at night in downtown parking garages. There are five other complaints on the federal safety agency website on this exact same issue. Recall should be initiated.

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Locks · 140,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2010 · Body, Locks · 106,000 miles · SC

The drivers side door would not open either with the keyless remote or by pulling on the door handle inside the car (the windows were down so I could reach inside) I had to open the passenger door and climb across the seat to get into the driver's seat. The button between the seats to unlock all of the doors also failed to open any of the locks. The hazard light switch beside it still worked, so I know the problem isn't due to that faulty switch. This door locks returned to normal after driving the car about 30 minutes and it hasn't yet returned in the five days since.