Driver Side Door
 

E53 2002 3.0i Brooklyn, NY
It really looks funny that I have to have the passenger open the driver side door for me or roll down the windows to open the door from within inside.
Question, I'm assuming that the door handle is broken. Does this mean that I will have to change the entire locking system, including ignition? If anyone has encounter this problem, please advise the total cost.

Thank you,
Rick.

It is quite possible that the mechanism has come loose from the back of the lever. Looking at this when I changed out my wondow motor, I could see how this would be an easy thing to do. Before taking it to someone to fix it, follow the directions on this board on removing the inner door panel and see if that is the problem before paying to have someone diagnose it.

Happened to us on both front and rear drivers side doors. Inside the front one and both out and in on the back one. A major PITA for sure!

They told us it was a cable and replaced both under warranty. I think it would be pretty straight forward to DIY. The only thing I can think of being a problem is the side airbags.

Cheers

Cody

Airbags are not an issue as long as you don't unplug them.

I have some pics of the door with the panel off - let me try and find them and I will post them.

it is 100% door carrier assembly. You can buy it for $90 approximately from a dealership and then if you want to do a DIY then it is not at all a big deal. I did it for the exact same reason. First time it will take you littl etime as you have to figure out where the nuts are. Open the inside door panel completely and then take the door handle out and you should be able to install carrier assembly.

I just encountered the same problem.....I can't open my door from the outside...would it be possible to just reconnect the assembly or do i have to buy any new parts!!

I had the same exact problem. If you guys can open the door from inside but not from outside then it is door handle carrier assembly. It is around $87 for part. It's an easy DIY. Need to open door's interior. Do not go to stealer as they will charge $350 for just labor alone. Read instructions, somewhere on X5world, to open the interior and then hidden nuts for door handle. Once you buy and have part in hand, you should be able to figure yourself where most of the nuts should be. Good luck!!

I just had the same problem on the driver side.......Is this a common issue for the X5?

Would someone post the DIY link to repair this door handle problem.

THANKS!!!

You need part 15 (carrier, outside door handle) on the diagram from RealOEM.com. Guaranteed.
Common failure part on the X5. :confused:
No need to change locks or keys or anything, the carrier is just the 'guts' of the door handle assembly that actuates a cable that pops the latch to open the door.
There should be some previous posts on how to do this job, its not terribly complicated, hardest part is finding some of the screws that need to be removed to get the door panel off. Check the window regulator articles on the homepage for door panel removal. Once the panel is off, you can see the nuts that hold the carrier assembly in place. Oh, (very important) you do have to pull the black oval shaped plastic plug (part 3 in the diagram) out of the side of the door (above the latch) to access one of the nuts that holds the carrier in place.
I helped out igosal with this project a couple of months ago. Its not too bad if you have the basic hand tools and don't mind spending a couple of hours doing the job. Or pay the dealer 350 bucks! :rofl: