2008 BMW 335I: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · 99,550 miles · PA

When I arrived at my destination, I was unable to unlock the front door of my car and exit. I could not unlock it either manually or electronically. The unlocking mechanism failed. I had to roll down my window an reach outside to the door handle. Evidently the manufacturer was aware of this problem because it repaired it by installing an "updated door latch on both front doors." I am gratetfull that I did not have to get out of that car because of an emergency.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Electrical · 99,559 miles · PA

Encountered difficulty exiting the car. Manufacturer's dealer had to install "updated door latch on both front" doors. At the time the vechicle was stationary in my driveway.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Electrical, Locks · 128,534 miles · OH

The doors will not unlock. The lights flash on the outside but even when pushing the unlock button from the inside of the car the doors stay locked. Wife had to exit my car was by crawling out of the window. Able to use the key for manual unlock of driver door only; gas tank door remains locked so I cannot put gas in my car and, therefore, cannot drive my car.

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 47,520 miles · TX

The doors will not unlock. The lights flash on the outside but even when pushing the unlock button from the inside of the car the doors stay locked. I'm being told it is a fuse, but literally none of the doors will lock or unlock. The only way I was able to exit my car was by crawling out of my window.

Filed Sep 11, 2012 · Body, Locks · 52,000 miles · CA

One of the electric door lock actuators failed and caused a fuse to blow. When this occurred the driver door could only be unlocked with the metal key and not by the electronic lock remote. What was so dangerous is that none of the other 3 passenger doors could be opened either from outside or even from the inside with the door handle. Essentially all the passengers were trapped in the car and had to climb out through the driver door which could be opened from the inside with the door handle. Had there been an accident or fire or other emergency it could have taken too long to exit the vehicle. The 3 passenger doors did not begin working until the fuse and door lock actuator was replaced at a cost of nearly $700. Bmw is aware of this problem. Si b51 19 07 factory service bulletin.

Filed Sep 10, 2012 · 55,820 miles · NC

To whom it may concern: I am writing this letter in effort to make a formal complaint regarding a known safety issue occurring on certain bmw vehicles. On friday, august 31st, I had taken my car (2008, 335i) to the dealer for an oil change. While leaving the dealership, I noticed all my settings were lost. Later, within the hour, I noticed that I could no longer unlock the doors with the remote door opener or from within the vehicle. I could only enter and exit (via the driver door) using the manual key. In attempting to diagnose the problem, I had reviewed numerous sites/blogs and discovered this is known issue with the actuator causing a fuse to continue to blow. I had taken my car back to the dealership on tuesday (9/4). They were too busy to schedule me the next day. On tuesday, the dealership confirmed the problem with the door lock actuator (as many have reported). The dealership also confirmed there have been a lot of complaints. I am very surprised there has not been a recall for this problem. This defect is a serious safety issue. Incase of an accident, water hazard and/or fire, only the driver is able to exit the vehicle. All other passengers would have to climb over the seats to exit out the driver door. In case of a fire, this is a serious problem.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 85,216 miles · TX

The door lock actuators failed on my car, this caused the remote fob and also inner central locking button to stop working, the only way to get out of the car was to roll down the drivers window and take the key fob apart to reveal the metal key inside, this could then be used from the outside to open the door by putting your arm out the window however all other doors remain locked from inside or outside, the other doors do not have a keyhole and the inner door handles were disconnected and would not work. My passengers then had to crawl over the front seats to escape the car thru the drivers door and in an accident or fire they would have been stuck. I think this is extremely dangerous and from searching online I see it is a common problem on this model.

Filed Jan 12, 2009 · Locks · 5,900 miles · WA

We have two remotes for key-less entry into our 2008 bmw 335i convertible. The car has a proximity sensor and can automatically unlock the door when I put my hand on the door handle, without requiring me to press any key on the remote. Both my wife and I had a remote each, and it seems both of us put our hands on the driver and passenger side door handles simultaneously. The doors unlocked, we both got in but apparently the driver side door didn't shut at all on closing. There was no indication on the dashboard that the door is open. As soon as I took a turn, the door swung open freely. I tried to close the door, but it wouldn't latch on. I stopped the car, shut off the vehicle, locked the car with the remote and unlocked it again, and everything went back to normal. This has happened once. The bmw service reps said that they can't diagnose and fix the problem without it actually occurring again in front of them.