[mismail7]

Same thing happened to after putting only 122 miles on the car and went to charge it. 4 days of owning. Door wouldn't open. Took to dealer and was told this is a common issue and the actuator fails. They needed to order the part however it wasn't available in the US so was routed to germany. ETA 5 weeks. They were going to keep the car there but I negotiated with them popping it open and that just broke the mechanism so the door now opens and its held shut with a strip of painters tape until they can get the part. Dealer even included the painters tape!!! lol.
One of the managers told me to keep a air wedge popper thingy (like what they use to pry doors open to unlock them) and tape in the trunk just in case it happens again.

Frustrating that a common issue is not being recalled and even worse the part is not stocked in the US.

[Trevor G]

Going on a road trip soon. The door not unlocking has happened to me on several occasions but I have always managed to get it unlocked by locking and unlocking the car several times. I have noticed it seems to always happen after a car wash though. Strange coincidence or a contributing factor? Needs to be seen. I always bring my car to BMW to be hand washed so next wash I will have them try to open the charge port.

[drhollowar]

Originally Posted by mismail7

Same thing happened to after putting only 122 miles on the car and went to charge it. 4 days of owning. Door wouldn't open. Took to dealer and was told this is a common issue and the actuator fails. They needed to order the part however it wasn't available in the US so was routed to germany. ETA 5 weeks. They were going to keep the car there but I negotiated with them popping it open and that just broke the mechanism so the door now opens and its held shut with a strip of painters tape until they can get the part. Dealer even included the painters tape!!! lol.
One of the managers told me to keep a air wedge popper thingy (like what they use to pry doors open to unlock them) and tape in the trunk just in case it happens again.

Frustrating that a common issue is not being recalled and even worse the part is not stocked in the US.

I had the exact same thing happen to me. Just got it back from the dealer yesterday. Part apparently came from Germany.

[Slyslap]

I didn’t experience this until I washed my car today and as soon as I got home, I noticed the door won’t open. I had to lock and unlock couple of times for it to work.
I don’t know if it’s a safety mechanisms when the area is wet. I know someone else said they also had the problem after a car wash.

[Trevor G]

I thought it might be a safety feature myself since it always seems to happen after a car wash but I do not see anything that would sense moisture or water anywhere near the charge port. I have noticed that standing next to the charge port door and using remote to lock and unlock I do not always here the mechanism activating. Might be a sensor elsewhere.

[mismail7]

Originally Posted by Slyslap

I didn’t experience this until I washed my car today and as soon as I got home, I noticed the door won’t open. I had to lock and unlock couple of times for it to work.
I don’t know if it’s a safety mechanisms when the area is wet. I know someone else said they also had the problem after a car wash.

My car was not washed or did it touch any water. Again had it for a few days and drove a total of 3 trips.

[drlonline]

I've had this problem (charge door not opening) crop up a few times. So far have been able to fix it by locking and unlocking the car several times. Has anyone found a definitive solution to the problem? I did take it to the dealer once, and they couldn't replicate the problem.

[xmanpro]

This happened to me first day I took my ride home. Unlocked and locked repeatedly, drove it around the block and finally opened.

[essgee]

A couple of times when the charger flap didn't open earlier I thought it was a user error as it worked after a couple of minutes of fiddling, turning the lock/engine on/off. But, last week it just didn't open and so I took it to the dealer. They said they replaced the actuator and that it fixed the issue. Upon my request they charged the car and while doing so noticed the issue again. Luckily the issue disappeared without any further repairs, at least for now . BMW in response to their ticket told them that BMW is aware of this issue and is working on a permanent solution. It's very disappointing that for one this seems to be a common issue (BTW I read that i4 has had similar issues too, but didn't get to follow through the threads to see if it is resolved for them either), and secondly BMW hasn't been able to come up with a permanent solution yet. This is my 4th BMW vehicle but never had such an impactful issue while the car is still new! Hoping BMW is reading these forums, wakes up and does something soon to address the issue.

[Scrapula]

Mine still does it occasionally. It’s a bit annoying, but as long as I can get it open with locking/unlocking the car, then I’m not going to schedule a dealer service.

[daddymalu]

I dropped of my car at the dealer for this same issue. Ther service advisor could not open the charger port, but the Technician sent a video saying you just have to push the door open on the left center of the door. This is a known issue and I don’t want to take the car home till it is resolved.

[SdRick]

We have had difficulty opening the charge door many times since the car was new. My wife was stuck at the charger the other day so I told her to call roadside assistance. This is what they told her:

Lock and unlock the door 10 times
Go into systems app into updates
Press updates
Then hold the volume button down until the screen shuts off two times
Start the car
Then open charging door press left middle.

Sounds like a bit of voodoo to me but it worked. Has anyone solved the problem by taking it to the dealer and getting the actuator replaced?

[SdRick]

Still having this problem. Has anyone come up with a workaroound possibly leaving the charge door unlocked or modifying the locking pin until there is a permanent fix?

It's very unfortunate and frustrating being at a charging station with people in line and you can't even open the charge door!

How many times does one have to take the car in for the same issue before it qualifies as a lemon in California?

[freshxdough]

Use the key fob and physically push the charge door in and let off several times while simultaneously pressing lock and unlock on the key fob and it usually opens after some time. Make sure the setting “keep charge flap unlocked permanently” isn’t active. You should hear the actuator clicking when locking and unlocking the vehicle. This work around can get it open most of the time. Sometimes replacement is still necessary though.