Mine does the same thing, rear door , drivers side, except, if I push on the door from the outside, it makes a slight "click" and then we can open from inside or out. It drives my daughter crazy, who many times has to jump over to the passenger side to get out. I'll have to try your trick of lock unlock with the handle pulled, as I am afraid of denting the car each time I push on the outside.

Let me know if you find out waht up when you open it up.

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Bob Voskian

2012 BMW X5 3.5i
2014 BMW 535i xDrive (wife's)
1991 Porsche 928 GT 5 speed (44K miles)
2003 MB SL 500 (wife's summer car)
2004 Audi TT 3.2 quattro with DSG