BMW X5 key fob problems

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Electrical · TN

The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer stated that a software in the key fob and the vehicle needed to be updated. The contacted had not been notified of the update. The dealer informed the contact that had the vehicle had been brought to the dealer for the last oil change, the contact would have been informed of the necessary software update. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · MD

The software that controls the lock/unlock and side mirror deployment does not function correctly all the time. This is a serious issue when backing up and when changing lanes on the highway. This has occurred on numerous occasions and I have taken pictures where I had to pull over to record. If I exit the vehicle (after turning off the engine (automatically when no person is detected in the driver seat) and close the door, press the key FOB to lock the car and then unlock they deploy/ though sometimes only one will deploy and I need to lock/unlock the vehicle a second time. I have notified BMW of the issue but haven't recieved any feedback.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Body, Brakes · CO · crash

Car was parked in fairly level spot with engine off, gear selector in park position, , key fob not near vehicle. Approx 30 minutes later, I returned to find vehicle approx 30 feet behind parking spot, having apparently drifted into another car in parking lot. No idea how car moved. I believe some electronic release of parking selector allowed car to roll.

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 230,000 miles · TN · fire

Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the windshield wipers, interior lights, sun roof, and rear upper and lower hatch. I orders a new one and when I took the old one out to replace it I found that it had caught on fire and blew fuse 14. It appears a thyristor or tiac got to hot and set the board and case on fire. I had smelt a plastic smell earlier while driving so it may have been burning before I parked. I am attaching photos.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Electrical · 100 miles · MN

Intermittently and without explanation the vehicle cannot be started using normal procedure even though the key fob is on the driver's person. Since the vehicle was purchased new in april 2019, the dealership has had five opportunities to address this problem without success. I have been instructed that should the vehicle fail to start normally, retrieve the fob; lock and unlock the vehicle using the key fob and then start the vehicle using the fob which (dealership language here) has been "awakened." as a semi disabled 73 year old male this necessitates that I exit the vehicle and, in standing position, create the ability to remove the key fob from my front pant pocket in order to follow the procedure to "awaken" the key fob for purposes of starting the vehicle. I can think of any number of situations in which this could create a hazardous situation and am therefore submitting the problem to ntsb for review.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

On thursday, may 2nd, 2019, my wife and 19-month old son were at the park and returned to the vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot. My wife had the key fob in her bag. She placed her bag on the floor of the car, just behind the front passenger's seat. She placed our son in his car seat, strapped him and closed the door. The vehicle then proceeded to lock itself, thus locking my son in and my wife out. She had to call ems to come and break open the car in order to gain access, this took close to 15-20 minutes total in which time my son was trapped in the car with temps in excess of 100 degrees as it was about 90 outside at the time it occurred. This is a known issue with bmw's comfort access feature. There has already been one class action lawsuit for owners to recover expenses, however I feel this is a bigger issue. If a person or pet, who are unable to operate doors or locks, get trapped in a vehicle it could very easily result in death under the right circumstances. When they pulled him from the car he was soakeddd in sweat, glossy eyed and out of it. This was a terrible experience that no one should ever have to go through and I feel bmw should step up and fix these vehicles. I don't care if that's replacing the system or taking it out, it's dangerous. Https://comfortaccesssettlement.com/home/portalid/0 this is literally the same story of what happened to us... Https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...ttlement.shtml bmw describes the comfort access system as follows: 'the vehicle can be accessed without activating the remote control. All you need to do is to have the remote control with you, e.g., in your jacket pocket. The vehicle automatically detects the remote control when it is nearby or in the passenger compartment. Comfort access supports the following functions: unlocking/locking of the vehicle.'

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · 49,000 miles · NJ

Sporadically, the door lock will not allow the door to be opened from inside car when pulling on door handle. The door can be opened with electronic key fob or power unlock button in the middle console. The door failure traps the occupant in the car and in the case of an accident with power loss, it is impossible to exit the car.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · FL

Vehicle was parked in a parking lot. Wife unlocked doors using left/rear door handle (vehicle has comfort access locking system) and placed baby and diaper bag with key fob into the back seat. She closed the rear door and the door locks immediately locked with no input from my wife. The car would not unlock. Police were called and broke out the rear window. They were unable to open the door using the interior handle. They had to retrieve the key fob from the bag, bring it outside the vehicle, and after numerous attempts were able to unlock the vehicle. After driving the vehicle home, I was able to record video of the locks randomly locking without user input. Vehicle was taken to braman bmw back in august, 2017 for a similar issue and the left/front door handle was replaced. It is disconcerting that occupants can be randomly locked in the vehicle with the key and not be able to use the interior handles to open the doors.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · IL

Faulty door lock actuators cause doors to lock but not unlock with button or key fob. Happened after dealer charged to replace junction box module.

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · TX · fire

Car stalled while driving down the interstate. Car went into neutral and we were able to push button start. Exited the interstate and stayed on service to remain safe. Passenger restraint system notification appeared stating to remain in safety belts and contact service center. Car had bad smell and smoke came from rear hatch. Car in flames in less than one minute. We have police report, video, pictures, insurance reports etc. Bmw needs to be accountable and others warned about these hazards,