Embarrasing experience. The driver side door won't open.
 

I was at the gas station, and tried to get out of the car to fill the gas, and I couldn't. I was trapped in the car and got out of the car through the passenger side door. WTF.. A guy at the pump was looking at me and giggling...
It was so embarrasing... lol

It happened before and BMW fixed it a couple of weeks ago, but the issue just came back.

S***!

This has been a recurring problem since the very first X5s. The fancy electrical locking system hangs and won't unlock the doors. I only had it happen a few times in the 8+ years we had our 2001 X5. In ALL cases I was able to get the door to unlock by using the key fob or the central locking button to lock and then unlock the doors. YMMV

Funf Dreisig

that happened to me once the door handel from inside just became loose and could go out they said it was the spring or somthing just to fix it they ruined the trim of the door and they had to order a whole door trim on the warranty

man.... that really blows!

def a safety issue!

you guys are right. It's absolutely a safety issue..
you know like in the movie, you get into an accident, there's a fire around the car but the door doesn't (NEVER) open...you can't get out.. and car explodes and you die...lol
I'm gonna call BMW customer service. I didn't like service quality when they fixed the door last time, either. A front cupholder was FULL of COFFEE when I was picking up the car. They cleaned that up before I left the service center, but still I don't really feel great.. Now the car makes me even crazier!!

Like one person mentioned try the central locking button. Next try the remote on the key. If that doesn't work put down the windows and use the outside handle.

This is not just a BMW/X5 thing.

Nothing worked out. I tried the outside handle, the remote control, and central locking button.... None of it works..
Even though the the locking button(you know the little thing on the door - when you lock/unlock the door, it goes down/up accordingly) is at up-positon, the door won't open.
So weird...
Thanks for advices anyway.

Wow. That's not right :( How embarrassing.

This happened to me today, outside handle, key FOB nothing worked. The lock pin pops up and that's it. I had to jump over through the passenger seat. I don't know if this has anything to the fact this is the coldest day of the year.

Hopefully it will open when I get back into it later today, otherwise, I will have to figure out how to fix this.....any ideas?

awesomejun,

Luckily, I have not experienced this problem. Do you what fix was that was done when you had this problem before?

This is most likely due to one of the two cables that come from inside and outside handles; replacing both of them is the best solution.

I had a similar issue with my 2008 X5 back in winter of 2009 (rain/cold temperatures). Except I couldn't close the driver's door - it wouldnt latch. After many attempts the dealer eventually replaced all internal mechanical components. My theory is that water gets in and freezes stuff up.

I went over to the E53 forum and found the below useful thread. Not sure if the door will open when I go and try it later but might try this when I get home.

Door lock replacement/service with pics: E53

My guess is BMW probably replicated the same shitty design in the E70.....and probably will throw it in the F15 as well :stickpoke

What a disgrace,another case of superior GERMAN engineering lol.

Well, leaving the car for half a day the door opened after taking a deep breath, no need for the hanger maneuver ;)

I guess that's a hint for me to service and grease the locks!

I wouldn't be surprised if it's related to cold weather. Servicing and greasing the locks may help though :)

Started happening to me recently. Probably due to the weather. It will occur once and pressing the unlock button on the remote fixes it at that time.

Will keep an eye before my CPO runs out.