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Electrics and electronics

Problems with window regulators and central locking: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 113 faults with window regulators and central locking in 110 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: multiplex electrical system and hands-free card faults (Renault Laguna II), overheating of the front electric window switch (fire risk) (Toyota Corolla X) and overheating of the driver's master window switch (Toyota Urban Cruiser). At an independent garage, the repair costs from €150 to €250 depending on the engine or car.[1][2]

Documented faults
113
5 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
110
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
110
car generations in our database
Garage repair
€150–€250
Depending on engine and car, including VAT

4 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Window regulators and central locking

Electric window regulators use a motor and a mechanism of cables or plastic guides that break with use; central locking depends on actuators in each door and on the comfort control unit. They are annoying rather than serious faults, but very common on some models.

What to do

If a window drops crooked, makes a noise or stops halfway, the mechanism is usually broken even though the motor works. If a door will not open or lock with the remote, first check the key battery and then the actuator for that door.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with window regulators and central locking. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with window regulators and central locking by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1High severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IIMultiplex electrical system and hands-free card faultsThe Laguna II had a reputation problem because of faults in its multiplexed electrical network: the hands-free card, the card reader and the ABS, ESP and handbrake warning lights came on erratically, especially in the early years of production (2001-2003).
  2. 2High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Corolla XOverheating of the front electric window switch (fire risk)Toyota has carried out two recalls over the Corolla's window switch: in 2012, for a poor lubricant that left carbon deposits and could cause a fire (4,032 Corollas in Spain, built between September 2006 and December 2008), and in 2015, for a possible short circuit in the driver's master switch (2005-2010 range).
  3. 3High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalToyota Urban CruiserOverheating of the driver's master window switchToyota recalled Urban Cruisers in the 2005-2010 production range because the driver's master window switch can short-circuit and overheat, with a risk of fire. It is a preventive campaign: the switch is inspected, given a coating and replaced if it shows signs of malfunction.
  4. 4Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 3 E46Central locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relaysThe central locking can become intermittent or stop responding to the remote, and the immobiliser can fail sporadically when starting; gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes both faults to wear in the relays of the control modules, and fiches-auto.fr records numerous testimonies of unreliable locking.
  5. 5Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Clio IIFailures of the electric windows and central lockingOn the Clio II the cables, guides and motors of the electric windows wear out and damp corrodes the connectors, which can also affect the central locking and the rear lights through faulty earths.
  6. 6Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Mégane IIWear of the electric window regulator mechanismsThe cables, guides and motors of the Megane II's electric window regulators wear with use: the glass can drop inside the door, rise crooked or get stuck, especially if damp gets into the mechanism.
  7. 7Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Scénic IIWear of the electric window mechanismsOn the Scénic II the cables, guides and control modules of the electric windows can break with use, leaving the glass stuck, especially on the most-used doors and in damp conditions.Repair (garage): €250
  8. 8Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat León IIIRecurring electronic faults: screen, remote key and warning lightsYes: the magazine MotorMundial documents electronic faults that keep recurring on the Leon III, both in and out of warranty, such as the touchscreen going black or restarting, Bluetooth dropouts, the right-hand mirror not tilting down when reversing and warning lights that come on for no apparent reason.
  9. 9Critical severityRareFrequency: RareToyota Yaris IIThe driver's window switch can short-circuit and catch fireA 2015 recall covered Yaris built between 2005 and 2010 because the master window switch on the driver's side could short-circuit, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
  10. 10Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Alternator and electric window failuresThe Alfa Romeo 147 has recurring testimonies of alternator failures, which can leave the battery flat, and of electric window mechanism failures, mostly on the post-facelift version.
  11. 11Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IIIDiffuse electrical faults: central locking, electric windows and false warning lightsSeveral owners and a specialist garage document scattered electrical faults on the A3: the central locking stops responding to the key fob, the electric windows jam or work intermittently, and the instrument cluster even shows incorrect data or warning lights with no real fault behind them.
  12. 12Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat Panda IIIntermittent damp-related electrical faults: electric windows, headlights and startingFiches-auto.fr describes electric windows with broken cables or worn motors, temperamental headlights and difficulty starting on the Fiat Panda II, put down mainly to damp and poor contacts in the electrical connectors.
  13. 13Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord EcoSportBattery drain from parasitic draw and window regulator or central locking faultsfiches-auto.fr documents 12 V battery drain caused by the draw of modules such as the Sync system, as well as isolated faults in the electric windows and central locking of the EcoSport, among the 47 owner testimonies it analyses.
  14. 14Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Window cable fatigue on the electric windows, with water leaksThe cable in the electric window mechanism fatigues with use on some Cooper R56s and stops the window closing fully, which also encourages water leaks into the door.
  15. 15Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Countryman R60Electrical faults: window motors, door locks and sunroofAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Countryman R60 accumulates electrical comfort faults: window motors, door locks, the sunroof mechanism and body control modules, as well as battery drain. The data sheet counts more than a dozen cases.
  16. 16Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Juke IIHands-free key recognition failure that prevents startingYes: fiches-auto and several owner opinions describe faults in the hands-free key recognition system that prevent the engine from starting, normally caused by the module that picks up the key's signal.
  17. 17Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Corsa CFaulty electric windows and door locksYes: according to a German used-car guide, the Opel Corsa C's electric windows and door locks fail with some frequency, so it is worth checking that every window and door works before buying.
  18. 18Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IBSI and electric window electrical faultsThe BSI (the control unit that manages much of the electrical system) can fail and light up several warning lights at once with no real mechanical fault behind it; the electric windows can also stop raising or lowering the glass intermittently.
  19. 19Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 5008 IICentral locking and hands-free door opening faultsSeveral reports describe problems with the Peugeot 5008 II's central locking and with the hands-free opening of the rear doors, which in some cases stop opening with that system.
  20. 20Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Vel SatisHands-free card, GPS and control unit faultsElectronics is the most cited area on fiches-auto.fr for the Vel Satis (26 cases): faults with the hands-free card, readers, control units and the Cabasse GPS navigation system. We have found no official recall.
  21. 21Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Polo VIThe body control module can fail and affect the electric windows and central lockingA specialist automotive mechanics outlet documents body control module (BCM) faults on some cars from the first years of the Polo VI (2017-2020), where the electric windows and central locking stop responding. We have found no official manufacturer campaign for this fault.
  22. 22Low severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentBMW Serie 3 E46Breakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanismIt is one of the most frequently cited non-engine faults of the E46: a small plastic tab in the window regulator mechanism breaks with use and the window stops going up or drops on its own, on any of the four doors. fiches-auto.fr records more than 80 testimonies of this fault.Repair (garage): €150–€250Appears at around 140,000 km
  23. 23High severityRareFrequency: RareVolkswagen Caddy IIIEarth connection fault that allows remote starting with a gear engagedOn Caddy III units built between May 2012 and January 2013, an earth connection fault could allow the engine to be started with the remote control even with a gear engaged on a manual gearbox, with a risk of the car moving by itself, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.Repair: €0
  24. 24Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi A3 IElectric window mechanism failureIt is the most cited non-mechanical fault on the A3 8L: according to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 42 of 232 owners mention the window regulator, with cables or carriers that break or come out of the guide.
  25. 25Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi A4 B6Breakage of the electric window regulator mechanismsfiches-auto.fr documents frequent breakages of the electric window regulator mechanism, mainly in the front doors, with testimonials between 90,000 and over 240,000 km and a cost of around €220-250 per mechanism.Repair (garage): €220–€250Appears at around 90,000 km
  26. 26Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi A4 B7Breakage of the electric window regulator mechanismsfiches-auto.fr documents frequent breakage of the electric window regulator mechanism, especially in the front doors, with testimonials between 90,000 and over 240,000 km and a cost of around €220-250 per mechanism.Repair (garage): €220–€250Appears at around 90,000 km
  27. 27Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonAudi TT IIBroken cable mechanism and guides in the electric windowsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (187 for this model), the electric windows are its most cited fault: 38 mentions, with failures between 45,000 and 173,000 km. The fiche attributes the fault to the cable mechanism and the glass guides.
  28. 28Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonBMW X3 E83Failures of the electric window and wing mirror motorsgebrauchtwagenberater.de notes frequent failures of the X3 E83's electric wing mirrors, and fiches-auto.fr lists several faulty window motors, with repeated failures of the same mechanism in the same position.
  29. 29Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonCitroën C4 IFailure of the electric windows, door locks and bootIt is the most cited problem in a reliability survey with 573 responses on the C4 (2004-2010): the electric windows, locks, door handles and boot add up to 97 cases, the system with the most incidents in the whole sample.
  30. 30Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonDacia Sandero IIIShort-lived battery and rear windows that stop respondingThe Sandero 3's battery shows a short service life in some cases, and the electric windows, especially the rear ones, can intermittently stop responding; in at least one case a fuel gauge out of service has also been described.
  31. 31Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonFord Focus IRear window regulator and central locking faultsThe rear window regulator and central locking motors are among the electrical components that fail most on the Focus I: fiches-auto.fr documents 26 window regulator cases out of 281 owner reports, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de points to the same pattern.
  32. 32Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonOpel Astra GElectric window and central locking failureThe Astra G's electric windows and central locking appear repeatedly in owner testimonials as a circuit fault, within what fiches-auto.fr describes as the model's 'widespread electrical problems'.
  33. 33Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonPeugeot 607Breakage of the cable and guides of the electric window mechanismIt is the most cited fault on the fiches-auto.fr page for the 607: 112 of around 365 owner reports talk of broken cables, damaged plastic guides or failing motors, with windows stuck.
  34. 34Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Espace IVElectric window regulator and motor failure in the doorsIt is a common fault according to the testimonials: 58 of 537 mention electric windows that fail, sometimes several windows on the same car, because weak plastic parts break the cable or the motor. There is no official campaign.
  35. 35Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IIElectric windows that jam or stop workingElectric windows are one of the most repeated faults on the Laguna II: the cables, guides and motor wear out early and stop the glass going up or down, sometimes on several doors of the same car.Appears at around 80,000 km
  36. 36Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Mégane IElectric window regulator failure (motor, cables and guides)It is a very common fault among owners: according to the testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the window mechanism or motor jams or stops working. No official recall is recorded.
  37. 37Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault ModusElectric window failureOn the Renault Modus, the motor, cables or guides of the electric windows can fail and leave the glass slow, stuck or dropping on its own; it is the most-cited non-engine fault in owner reports for this car.
  38. 38Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonRenault Scénic IElectric window regulator failure (motor, cables and guides)It is a very common fault among owners: according to the testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the window mechanism or motor jams or stops working. No official recall is recorded.
  39. 39Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat León IThe electric window is a known weak point of the León IIt is the most cited non-engine fault on the León I: the electric window mechanism goes out of adjustment or breaks, and the glass can end up dropping inside the door. Worn microswitches can also set off the alarm on their own or leave you without an interior light.
  40. 40Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonSeat Toledo IIElectric window mechanism failureThe window regulator is the most cited fault: 14 mentions out of 61 reports on fiches-auto.fr, with deteriorated cables or guides that jam the glass or let it drop inside the door. This is a pattern drawn from owner reports, not a manufacturer recall.
  41. 41Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonŠkoda Fabia IElectric window regulator failureThe electric window regulator is by far the most-cited non-engine fault among Fabia I owners: 56 of the 140 responses in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey, which describes the mechanisms as fragile once the guides and cables develop play.
  42. 42Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonŠkoda Octavia IElectric window regulator failureThe electric window is by far the most-cited non-engine fault among Octavia I owners: 20 of the 87 responses in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey, though the source does not detail the exact part responsible in each case.
  43. 43Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonŠkoda RoomsterElectric windows that are slow, jam or drop out of their guidesThe Roomster has 20 owner reports of electric window problems on fiches-auto.fr: cables, guides and motors that deteriorate with age, leaving windows slow, jammed or misaligned, especially the rear ones.
  44. 44Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen BoraElectric window regulator mechanism failure (glass dropping inside the door)The Bora and Jetta IV are known for window regulators that fail and glass that drops inside the door. On the Golf IV, its sister platform, fiches-auto.fr records 104 cases out of 541 reports with broken cables or guides. It is a pattern drawn from owner reports, not a manufacturer campaign.
  45. 45Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Golf IVThe electric window regulator and central locking can fail over timeYes: it is the most-cited electrical fault on the Golf IV. The window regulator's drive mechanism ("Mitnehmer") breaks and the glass either stops rising or drops under its own weight, and the lock microswitches degrade, causing false alarm triggering or interior light faults.
  46. 46Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Passat B5Fragility of the electric windows and central lockingYes: fiches-auto.fr records 54 reports of faults in the Passat B5's electric windows (cables that break, motors that stop responding) and central locking, a failure pattern caused by cables and microswitches that gebrauchtwagenberater.de also documents on the Golf IV of the same platform and era.
  47. 47Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Polo IVThe electric window regulator and central locking can fail over timeYes: the cables and plastic guides of the electric window regulator fatigue with use and the glass stops rising normally, and the central locking shows recurring erratic operation, according to fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de.
  48. 48Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 159Failure of the rear window regulator mechanismThe electric rear window regulators of the Alfa Romeo 159 fail with relative frequency according to owner reports, with the glass no longer going up or down normally.
  49. 49Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A1 IElectric windows that jam or do not respondThe A1 has 9 cases of window regulators or door mechanisms with problems on fiches-auto.fr: windows that stick to the seals, switches that do not respond, worn motors or damaged wiring looms.
  50. 50Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IIRecurring power window and door lock failuresfiches-auto.fr documents numerous cases of electric windows that stop going up or down and door locks that fail; the aggregator itself calls the lock problem a 'very well-known' fault of this car.
  51. 51Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A5 IElectric window and door lock faultsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, electric windows are the most cited non-mechanical fault on the A5 8T (17 cases), with door locks, the fuel flap and the Keyless key also fragile. It does not affect driving.
  52. 52Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C5Electric window regulator failureAccording to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, 23 of 186 A6 C5 owners cite electric window regulator failure, and one points to the rear window jammed by a blue bracket.
  53. 53Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A6 C7Faults with electric windows, door locks and electric mirrorsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, window regulator and door lock motors are a recurring fault on the A6 C7, along with mirrors that do not fold or demist. It does not affect driving.
  54. 54Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi A8 D3Electric window and MMI faults, and sunroof water leaksOwners report failing electric windows (6 mentions), MMI faults, sunroof leaks and adaptive headlight problems. In total, fiches-auto.fr records 13 mentions of electronics and comfort out of 62 reports.
  55. 55Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalAudi TT IAudi TT 8N electric window misalignment and failureAccording to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (149 for this model), the electric windows can go out of alignment and a window may get stuck; the page records it in 8 cases.
  56. 56Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E39Electric window failure on the BMW 5 Series E39According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (317 for the 1995-2003 5 Series), there are 15 cases of failed window motors, mostly on the rear windows.
  57. 57Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalBMW X2 F39Mirror and window module failureAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some X2 owners have window and mirror faults from 6,000 km, with the mirror module replaced up to three times in one case. No official recall is on record.
  58. 58Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IElectric window motor or cable failureAccording to the pages, the electric windows fail frequently: motors, cables, plastic brackets and switches. On the Berlingo page they add up to 40 reports and the glass can drop crooked or stop halfway.
  59. 59Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C2Window motor and BSI module faults on the Citroën C2On the C2, the reports on fiches-auto.fr cite around 28 electrical mentions: window motors, door wiring and BSI module faults, plus false airbag warnings. No public recall is on record.
  60. 60Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 Picasso IElectric window motor failureThe listing records 49 reports of window failures, between 7,000 and 115,000 km.
  61. 61Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 IElectric window regulator motor or cable failure on the Citroën C5According to the reports on fiches-auto.fr, 50 of 447 C5 (2001-2008) owners cite window regulator faults: a failed motor or cable, a jammed window or intermittent operation, with damp and corrosion in the door connectors.
  62. 62Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C8Failure of the rear electric windows and their switchesThe fiches-auto.fr page records 15 C8 owner reports of failing electric windows, mostly the rear ones, with switches that respond poorly, usually from around 80,000 km.
  63. 63Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCitroën XsaraElectric window and door cable failure on the Citroën XsaraThe electric windows are a typical fault on the Xsara: around 46 mentions out of 495 owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, with motors, cables and door connectors that fail; one window jammed at around 100,000 km because of a severed wire. No public recall is recorded.
  64. 64Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDacia LodgyElectrical faults: ignition switch (neiman) and window motorThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 16 electrical reports, with ignition switches (neiman) failing at around 40,000 km, window motors and instrument cluster backlighting. It is a pattern of owner reports, with no campaign or bulletin.
  65. 65Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDacia Logan IICentral locking faults and electronic probe or sensor faultsSome Logan II units show faults in the central locking operated with the key and erroneous warnings or readings from electronic probes and sensors, according to the owner testimonies consulted.
  66. 66Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 3Electric door window failureIt is one of the most repeated complaints in the DS3 entry: 50 mentions out of 549 testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, with windows that jam or an anti-trap function that stops them closing fully.
  67. 67Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 4 IElectric window regulator failureThe DS4 profile records 17 mentions of window regulators, with cases such as a front window regulator out of service at 50,000 km and a window motor whose replacement cost one owner €650.
  68. 68Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat BravoFiat Bravo electric window failureAccording to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, some Bravos have window regulators that fail and windows that drop by themselves. There is no official campaign and no further data on mileage or cost.
  69. 69Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFord B-MaxElectric window faults and minor sensor or electronics faultsAuto Express flags electrical problems as the most common on the Ford B-Max in the Driver Power owner survey; fiches-auto.fr gives specifics: 4 cases of window or wiper failure and 4 more of sensors or minor electronics among 127 testimonials.
  70. 70Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic VIIElectric window and central locking faultsSeveral owner testimonials describe faults with the electric window (mainly the driver's) and the driver's door lock, which also affect the central locking of the other doors.
  71. 71Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IVElectric window regulator fault on the doorsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, 8 of 142 CR-V IV reports cite faulty window regulators or door locks, with two cases of the passenger window regulator at around 75,000 km on a 1.6 i-DTEC 160 hp.
  72. 72Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalKia VengaElectric window failureThis is the most frequently cited non-engine fault on the Venga at fiches-auto.fr: seven owner reports of window cables, guides, motors or switches failing, in some cases at just 12,000 km.
  73. 73Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalKia XCeedElectronics faults: central screen, tyre pressure sensors and central lockingA compilation of 25 owner testimonials describes occasional XCeed electronics faults: intermittent defects in the central screen, the central locking and the tyre pressure sensors, as well as mirrors that sometimes do not fold in damp weather.
  74. 74Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IElectric window regulator failureAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the electric window regulator is the most-cited electrical fault on the first-generation Mazda 6: 14 mentions out of 206 reports. The glass stops rising or lowering. There is no public campaign or bulletin.
  75. 75Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase M W164Electric window and mirror motor failureAccording to the owner testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the electric windows of the M-Class W164 account for around 20 cases of failure, in addition to frequent faults with the mirror motors and the electric tailgate.
  76. 76Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz CLS C219Electric window regulator failure on the CLSWindow regulator failures are widely cited on the CLS C219: 22 cases on fiches-auto.fr, with mechanisms that require expensive repairs. No recall or official data is known.
  77. 77Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLK X204Front electric window failure on the GLKThe reports on fiches-auto.fr record 6 window cases out of 92 on the GLK, with one owner describing the front windows as "always faulty". There is no public recall or bulletin on it.
  78. 78Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Clubman R55Window regulator failure: windows that do not close fully and let water inAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr for 2006-2013 Minis, the window regulators fail frequently; on a 2009 Clubman the windows did not close fully and caused water leaks at 82,500 km. There is no known campaign.
  79. 79Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R50Electric window failureAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the electric windows on the Mini R50 have 16 mentions of malfunction. There is no known campaign or technical bulletin.
  80. 80Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Note IElectric window regulator failureOn the Note I, the motor, switches or guides of the electric window regulators can fail, leaving the glass slow, stuck or unresponsive to the switch.
  81. 81Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalNissan Primera IIINissan Primera electric window regulator failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the electric window regulator is the most frequently cited non-mechanical fault on the Primera (13 cases out of 81). There is no public campaign or bulletin.
  82. 82Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Meriva BCentral locking, electric window and electric parking brake faultsThe electrical system is the most cited category on the fiches-auto.fr Meriva B page (27 of 238 testimonials): central locking, electric windows, interior lights, intermittent warnings on the instrument cluster and an electric parking brake that releases by itself.
  83. 83Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira ARear door wiring fault (windows and central locking)The wiring harness that runs to the Zafira A's rear doors can break internally and cause short circuits that leave that door's window or central locking out of action.
  84. 84Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 107Electric window failure on the Peugeot 107 IThe fiches-auto.fr listing records 11 cases of window motors failing early on the 107; there is no campaign or official data.
  85. 85Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 5008 IElectric window motor failureWindow motors are among the most frequently cited faults in 5008 owner reports (49 cases). The source also mentions recalls on this component without giving details.
  86. 86Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Partner IElectric window motor or cable failureAccording to the pages, the electric windows fail frequently: motors, cables, plastic brackets and switches. On the Berlingo page they add up to 40 reports and the glass can drop crooked or stop halfway.
  87. 87Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Kangoo IElectric window and central locking failureIt is the most cited electrical fault: the windows stop working because of the window motor, sometimes around 80,000 km, and central locking faults also appear. There are only owner testimonies, with no official campaign.
  88. 88Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Koleos IElectric window motor failureAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 22 owners of the Koleos I cite window motor faults; one case describes the driver's window stuck halfway. There is no official recall.
  89. 89Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Laguna ICentral locking, door lock and remote control failureAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the central locking and door locks fail, the remote control stops working at around 130,000 km and the instrument cluster or ABS show intermittent faults. No official recall is on record.
  90. 90Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalRenault Vel SatisBroken cables, guides and motors in the electric windowsIt is one of the most repeated faults in the fiches-auto.fr reports: 18 cases of windows with broken cables, guides and motors. Individual motor repairs run at around 200 to 500 euros according to the fiche. We have found no official recall.
  91. 91Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Ibiza IIIThe electric windows and central locking can fail because of worn microswitchesIt is a recurring fault on the Ibiza III: the microswitches that control the window regulator and central locking wear out, and owners describe both windows that stop going up and intermittent faults in locking the doors.
  92. 92Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalSeat Ibiza IVThe power windows or central locking may become intermittentIt is a recurring fault cited by owners: a window glass stops going all the way up, drops a few millimetres on its own while driving, or the central locking becomes temperamental. There is no public campaign or technical bulletin about it; it comes from owner testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr.
  93. 93Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Fabia IIThe power window may respond erratically or stop raising the glassIt is a recurring fault cited by owners: the power window (especially at the front) responds erratically to the switch or stops raising the glass fully. There is no public campaign or technical bulletin about it; it comes from owner testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr.
  94. 94Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Octavia IIElectric window regulator faultThe electric window regulator is the non-engine category with the most complaints from Octavia II owners in the fiches-auto.fr reliability survey (16 of 248 responses), although the source does not detail the exact part responsible in each case.
  95. 95Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf VThe electric window regulator can fail and the comfort function can open the windows for no reasonSome owners report electric window regulator mechanism failures as the car ages; gebrauchtwagenberater.de also documents a specific fault in the comfort electronics whereby the windows can open by themselves when using the remote locking.
  96. 96Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf VIElectric window failureIt is the non-engine fault Golf VI owners cite most: in a fiches-auto.fr reliability survey, the electric window accounts for 69 of the 666 responses about this car, well ahead of any other system.
  97. 97Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Passat B6Central locking faults from defective microswitchesYes: gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents defective microswitches that cause central locking problems on the Passat B6, and fiches-auto.fr collects several reports of faults in the window regulator mechanisms, locks and door wiring looms.
  98. 98Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Polo VThe electric window mechanism can fail and leave the glass stuck downThis is a recurring fault cited by owners: the electric window mechanism (cable or guide) wears or works loose and the glass stops going all the way up, drops, or responds erratically to the switch. There is no campaign or public technical bulletin about it; the information available comes from owner testimonies compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  99. 99Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Scirocco IIIVolkswagen Scirocco electric window motor failureThe window regulator is the most-cited non-engine fault on the Scirocco: 20 reports out of 208 on fiches-auto.fr, with windows that do not lower when the door is opened or lose their position. There is no known recall.
  100. 100Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Tiguan ICentral locking and electric window failuresA French reliability site describes recurring jams of the Tiguan I's central locking and electric windows, attributed to door microswitches and wires that lose position or electrical continuity.
  101. 101Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen up!Electric window regulator failure: plastic guides and misaligned glassSome owners describe windows that come out of their guides, jam or do not close fully because of deterioration of the plastic guides and the clips on the mechanism. There is no official campaign; it is a pattern in testimonies.
  102. 102Low severityRareFrequency: RareAlfa Romeo 156Alfa Romeo 156 electric window failureAccording to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 7 of about 244 owners of the 156 cite electric window faults: a rare and minor problem.
  103. 103Low severityRareFrequency: RareBMW Z4 E89Erratic operation of the frameless window regulatorsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the frameless window regulators on the Z4 E89 can work erratically, with a risk of water getting in on a convertible.
  104. 104Low severityRareFrequency: RareDacia Logan IWindow motor and central locking failureElectric windows and locks that stop working are a recurring electrical fault among Logan I owners: 12 window mentions out of 347 reports on fiches-auto.fr. There is no public recall or bulletin.
  105. 105Low severityRareFrequency: RareKia Carens IVInstrument cluster, window regulator and mirror faultsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the Carens IV has 4 electronics cases: fuel consumption and mileage errors on the cluster display, faulty window regulators, a mirror that fails and cruise control that cuts out on hills.
  106. 106Low severityRareFrequency: RareKia Sorento IIGPS screen, window motor and instrument cluster faultsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, there are 5 electronics cases on the Sorento II: a GPS screen that failed at 45,000 km, a window motor at 80,000 km and instrument cluster faults. These are isolated cases with no official backing.
  107. 107Low severityRareFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase B W247Erratic Keyless key recognition and central locking faultsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, some owners of the 2019-onwards B-Class have random key recognition and erratic central locking, attributed to weak batteries or a faulty Keyless antenna. It is an isolated pattern, with no associated campaign.
  108. 108Low severityRareFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz CLK C209Window regulator guide and sensor faults on the CLK's frameless windowsThe CLK C209's frameless windows can suffer guide and window regulator position sensor problems: fiches-auto.fr lists 5 cases. It is a minor, occasional fault, with no known campaign.
  109. 109Low severityRareFrequency: RarePeugeot 5008 IIIThe driver's door electric window may not close fullyAccording to one owner report collected by fiches-auto.fr, the driver's window on a 37,000 km 5008 III 1.2 PureTech hybrid sometimes did not close completely. It is an isolated case, with no known campaign or bulletin.
  110. 110Low severityRareFrequency: RareRenault Mégane IVInfotainment and hands-free system freezesAn owner of a Megane IV saloon 1.3 TCe 140 documents infotainment system freezes and hands-free/Bluetooth failures that in one case went as far as locking the car's doors. It is a single detailed case on forums, with no confirmation from the press or official bodies.
  111. 111Low severityRareFrequency: RareRenault Twingo IRecurring failure of the electric window motorsAmong the electrical faults cited on fiches-auto.fr are window motors that fail repeatedly. This is based on owner reports, with no campaign or verified cost.
  112. 112Low severityRareFrequency: RareSeat MiiElectric window fault: plastic guides and misaligned glassSome owners describe window glass that comes out of its guides, jams or does not close fully because of deterioration of the plastic guides and the mechanism's clips. There is no official campaign; it is a pattern in testimonials.
  113. 113Low severityRareFrequency: RareŠkoda YetiŠkoda Yeti electric window fault: glass that loses auto function or moves jerkilyIt is a minor but repeated fault among the testimonies: 5 of 96 on fiches-auto.fr cite windows that lose the automatic function, move jerkily or stop working. There is no official campaign; it comes only from owner testimonies.

Problems with window regulators and central locking by make

Problems with window regulators and central locking in your car

3 cars have several documented faults with window regulators and central locking. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

BMW 1
Renault 2

How much it costs to repair a fault with window regulators and central locking

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with window regulators and central locking?

Among those we have analysed: Renault Laguna II (multiplex electrical system and hands-free card faults), Toyota Corolla X (overheating of the front electric window switch (fire risk)), Toyota Urban Cruiser (overheating of the driver's master window switch), BMW Serie 3 E46 (central locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relays), Renault Clio II (failures of the electric windows and central locking), Renault Mégane II (wear of the electric window regulator mechanisms), Renault Scénic II (wear of the electric window mechanisms) and Seat León III (recurring electronic faults: screen, remote key and warning lights). In total, 110 cars with documented faults with window regulators and central locking.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with window regulators and central locking?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At an independent garage, from €150 to €250; at a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 5 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is wear of the electric window mechanisms (Renault Scénic II).

What symptoms does a fault with window regulators and central locking cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: electric windows or central locking not responding, intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, screen or infotainment system freezes or restarts, battery goes flat while the car is parked, esp warning light on or flashing and hard starting or engine will not start.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 1.Fiabilité BMW Série 3 (1998-2005)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. 2.Fiabilité Renault Scénic 2 : les pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. 3.Fiabilité Audi A4 (2001-2007)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. 4.VW Caddy III (2K) | Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 21 April 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German