2008 BMW 328I: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Locks · 170,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the manual door locks became inoperable. The contact had to climb out of the driver's side window to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to enter the vehicle by using the key fob. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2022 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

UNKNOWN since I have bought my 2008 bmw 328i I had one recalled fixed on my dash I have the air bag light and the brake light tire light service engine soon light on my door locks would work some times and then I had to open my car from the driver side manually then my drivers side window won't roll all the way up only half way then my car just wouldn't start out of the blue replace the starter ran for three weeks and wouldn't start again and has been sitting for a month now my passenger seat belt won't click in sometimes and my warranty is out but the recalls I have read are just what my car is doing I would like this matter to be looked in to and my car repaired at no cost its a safety issue an inconvenience and has cost me money wise extremely .

Filed Jun 19, 2021 · Electrical · OK

Two years ago, the driver side door would not open from the inside or outside of the car (pulling on both handles didn't open it) and attempting to unlock it by the dash unlock button didn't work. . The only way to exit the car was to crawl across the front of the car and exit out the passenger side. Was told that the problem was caused by a faulty door actuator. Fast forward to today and the same thing is happening again. I can't open my front drivers side door from the inside or outside which is obviously a major safety issue. Pulling on the handle on either side doesn't open the door and using the dash unlock button doesn't help unlock it either. After doing some research on this, it looks like this is a chronic problem with BMW E90 models (mine is a 2008 328i). With this being a major safety issue and is common with this model of vehicle, is there the possibility of a recall?

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Body, Brakes · 140,016 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. The contact stated that the passenger side door handle grip was deteriorating. Additionally, a sticky substance was getting on the occupant's hands. Also, the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bmw of chattanooga (6806 e brainerd rd, chattanooga, tn 37421, (423) 381-6419), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 140,016.

Filed Feb 7, 2017 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · PA

Power lock system failed trapping wife inside while stopped on a parking lot. No manual override on door handles. Wife drove home and tried to use valet key reaching from inside thru window to unlock door. Very difficult to see. She dropped key. She was then trapped. Only means of egress at that point as per on line bmw rep was to climb out window. Has high potential for injury for most folks if done alone. Fortunatlley I arrived on scene and unlocked door. If very frail 93 yr old mother had been in passenger seat rescue/extraction would have been very excrutiating and required professional assistance. Potential for severe consequences if medical emergency. Bmw provides no warning of this eventuality or instruction on safe egress from vehicle if valet key is dropped by driver. If this were to happen while no key was avaialable [during vehicle cleaning for instance] . Person could not open window and be trapped and forced to break window or wait for help. My wife has gone in car w out/ a key while I'm on business and could conceivably have been trapped for days. Bmw says not enough complaints to merit any attention. Bmw blogs however have numerous references of this issue to this series of vehicle!! Wife was highly stressed and afraid to use either of our 90/91 series bmw's.

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Electrical · 92,028 miles · NV

All four doors will not unlock. I am able to lock them with the remote but unable to unlock them. Once inside, you become trapped in the car. I have to unroll the window and use my key on the outside of the door to get out. This could be extremely dangerous in an emergency situation.

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Electrical · 52,488 miles · CA

After a scheduled service the electronic locks on the doors would not work. Returned the car the same day for a "fuse" that had blown. Within a few more days, the doors would not open, and remained locked. I had to use the valet/metal key to open the driver door and was totally unable to open any other doors. None would open from inside, outside or the remote fob. Took the car to the dealer for repairs. They said it would take a day to repair after a day of tearing the doors apart and diagnosing the problem. They were unable to get parts and took several days to repair the doors with new "lock actuators" that had all failed. Why? How can three doors fail all at the same time? It must be an electrical problem? Dangerous!!! Thank god I did not have to drive my grandchildren around that week. The only way to get into and out of three of the seats would be to use the windows or climb over the driver seat/ console. This is scary and dangerous, to not be able to open the car door. Why hasn't bmw had a recall on this issue? I'm out almost $2k for the repairs!

Filed Jul 10, 2015 · Body, Electrical · 30,000 miles · AZ · 1 injury

Electronic door locks failed to unlock thus trapping myself in the car. No mechanical override exists to manually unlock the doors. I had to roll the window down and climb out through the window. The 4 door sedan has small windows and I hurt myself (pulled muscles and joints) climbing out. If the windows failed (they did not), I would have had to break the windows and then climb out. Elderly or handicapped occupants would not be able to get out! Any power failure will trap occupants since no mechanical override exists!

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Electrical · 48,314 miles · IL

Electronic door locks have stopped working on two occasions now. The first when outside the vehicle that later required a new fuse. The second on march 5th happened after entering vehicle, but 3 of the doors remained lock, and my elderly father could not get into the vehicle. The dashboard locking button then subsequently locked the driver's door, and unlocking was subsequently not possible for any doors. In effect trapped inside the vehicle, and the doors could not be manually opened nor electronically. I was able to pass the mechanical key through the sunroof for assistance in opening the driver's door to exit the vehicle. My concern is if this were to happen in an emergency situation (e.g. A car crash), the occupants would not be able to exit the vehicle quickly or safely. Both bmw and the federal safety agency appear to be aware of the issue from other postings, but no recalls issued. The repair bills too are also high and fall on the consumer to pay.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Body · 96,119 miles · GA

Windshield trimming deteriorating / passenger side inside door handle is melting.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 90,142 miles · GA

Drivers door locked as normal when car reached a certain speed but made a weird noise. Now it will not unlock with keyless or unlock button on dash of car. Will only unlock manually. Door lock actuator??? I have heard this is a common problem with these cars... I hope they are covered with a recall soon!

Filed Oct 25, 2012 · Locks · 31,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. The contact stated that the power door locks failed on all of the doors. The contact stated the failure prevented the doors from being open manually. The contact stated that if you was inside the vehicle you had to roll down the window and use the key on the outside to get out of the vehicle. The contact stated that the only door that could be unlocked in this situation was the driver side door, any one else in the vehicle has to climb over to the driver seat to exit. The contact felt this was a safety hazard for the elderly and people with disabilities. The dealer stated that the door actuators failed and verified that the drivers door was the only one that would open from the outside. The failure and current mileage was 31,000. Updated 12/06/12*lj the consumer stated only the driver's side door with the use of the key worked. Updated 12/06/12