2019 BMW X3: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed May 26, 2026 · Body · NY

While driving our BMW 2019 X3 on the highway, other drivers honked to get my attention that our vehicle's rear hatch was partially open. When we came to a stop light, I had my son riding in the passenger seat press the hatch button on the key fob to close the hatch. Instead this fully opened the back hatch. We continued pressing the fob button in an attempt to get the hatch to close without having to exit the vehicle. Rather than exit the vechicle in the middle of the roadway, we drove about 50 yards until we could pull over safely. A motorcyclist had been following us, and came up behind and communicated that he wanted to press the button to close the hatch. After I gave my consent, he pressed the close button and the hatch closed and latched. My husband has previously had incidents where after parking the BMW, he finds the back hatch open. He's also researched online this is apparently an issue. Reference: [XXX] the federal safety agency claim XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 14, 2025 · Electrical · FL

Today, I placed my backpack containing my 2019 BMW X3 key fob in the back seat, closed the door, and proceeded to open the driver’s door as usual. Immediately, the car locked itself with the key fob still inside. This is a failure of the anti-lockout safety system. The vehicle’s Comfort Access/keyless entry system is designed to prevent the doors from locking when the key is inside, and it should never lock itself under these circumstances. This malfunction creates a serious safety risk, as occupants or pets could become trapped inside the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint to notify the federal safety agency of a potential safety defect in the BMW anti-lockout / Comfort Access system. I request an investigation to determine if this defect affects other vehicles of the same model and year.

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · CA

On the 2019 BMW X3, we’ve experienced the tailgate opening while the vehicle is in traffic, and the transmission is in ‘D’ drive. The safety hazard I’m suggesting be investigated is that the buttons on the remote key fob to the vehicle, including lock, unlock, tailgate, and panic, ALL work even if the vehicle is turned on and driving. This poses a serious safety risk to not only occupants of the vehicle, objects or animals that may be in the trunk, but also to other motorists on the road. We’ve personally had this happen three times, all in cases where we were in live traffic on an active roadway. One case in particular our dog was in the trunk and we had to pull over in the middle of traffic while the dog thankfully stayed seated in the trunk area. I believe this happens because it’s very common for the key fob to be in a pocket or purse while operating the vehicle, where it’s very possible for the buttons to be pressed inadvertently. In my opinion, the key fob should not be functional while the car’s ignition is on. No other car I’ve ever owned has had a key fob whose buttons still work while the ignition is on. Happy give further comment if need be. Thanks

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Body, Electrical · CA

Multiple times while driving, my key FOB in my pocket has opened the trunk. Extremely dangerous, and apparently very easy to accidentally press. Same thing with the alarm, almost caused me to have an accident.

Filed Aug 14, 2019 · 7,500 miles · WA

Hatch back opens randomly. Key fobs were no where near vehicle as it was parked in our underground garage.

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Body, Electrical · FL

First problem is that one three separate occassions my rear hatch/tailgate has opened on its own while parked. Each of the three times the car was parked in the garage and has hit my garage door causing damage. While in the garage, my keys were inside the house and no buttons were pushed on the key fob. I have complained to the dealer about this issue twice now and have not had success in solving the issue. Second problem is that the seat ventilation on the passenger seat has failed three times. Each time the fans within the seat that activate to push air through the vents sound like they are tearing through the seat. Each time the dealer has repaired the issue, only for it to return again. The car is going to the dealer once again after I asked for them to escalate this issue. I have not yet had the car one year. My purchase date was in september 2018.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Electrical · 9,000 miles · NJ

I'm having issues with the SUV's "hatch" door opening on it's own. I've owned the car since feb 2019. Twice it has opened on its own while parked. Yesterday morning, it opened while I was driving in slow traffic on a very busy road during rush hour, and I had a lot of things in the trunk. The hatch would not close with the button on the armrest, nor with the key fob. I had to pull over and get out, and close it by pressing the button on the hatch door itself.

Filed Apr 25, 2019 · Body · 5,000 miles · CA

The tailgate opens on its own. This happens without the key fob being near a person or anything pressing on it. This is a serious safety issue and bmw dealers will not fix it, if they do not see it in person. So, far this has occurred several times while the vehicle was parked in a driveway or in a parking lot.