NHTSA complaint: 1992 BMW 325I — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I LOCKED MY 1992 BMW 325I WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH MY FRIEND INSIDE (I DID NOT REALIZE HE HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET). I HAD DROPPED THE KEY WHEN I HEARD HIM POUND ON THE WINDOW (LOOSING THE KEY IN SOME BRUSH). WHEN THIS SITUATION HAD TRANSPIRED I FOUND OUT THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ANY MANNER. IF THIS WERE A SMALL CHILD AND LETS SAY A FORGETFUL GRANDPARENT THE CHILD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. (OR WITH THE WEIRD MOTHER DROWNING KIDS AND UNCLES LOCKING KIDS IN HIS BASEMENT THAT WE HEAR ABOUT ON THE NEWS) THIS CAR COULD BE USED AS A POTENTIAL PRISON. IF THIS WERE ANY PERSON(S) WHO ARE NOT VERY MUSCULAR THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DEATH TRAP IF SOMEONE HAD NOT KNOWN THEY WERE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, KNOWING THEY ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND CALLING A LOCKSMITH, THE LOCKSMITH IS NOT ABLE TO GET INSIDE OF THE CAR WITHOUT DOING SUPER EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE LOCKS OR BREAKING A WINDOW. IN WHICH CASE BREAKING A WINDOW IN SUCH A SMALL SEDAN COULD AND IN MY CASE RESULTED FROM MY FRIEND ENDING UP WITH CHUCKS OF GLASS IN HIS SKIN AND I BROKE MY HAND GETTING THROUGH THE WINDOW BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE DESERT WITH NOTHING AROUND TO BE ABLE TO BREAK THE WINDOW. IF IT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A TRUNK RELEASE INSIDE OF A TRUNK TO LET OCCUPANTS OUT. WHY CAN YOU BE LOCKED INSIDE OF YOUR OWN CAR? *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation