Locked in my MG4 & unable to escape - Serious Safety Issue

[Ian Key]

Mine was done today and my LKA also stays off so happy about that. Dealer said before it was done that they didn't control what updates would be done.

Also asked them to check the breather and they said it is now covered by a TSB so is done as a matter of course. Fortunately no leak on mine after 10 weeks and 5000 miles.

To save anyone else wondering. TSB = Technical Service Bulletin

I'm starting to be really glad I'm having to wait until March for delivery.

 

[Deleted member 9909]

I wonder how many cars are still to have the key not recognised deadlock wrongly activates update done? It's good to see inroads are being made but software update process still seems confusing with no standard overall s/w package which covers all modules being installed. Shame as that would remove a lot of confusion.

 

[wandle MG4 trophy]

Just noticed that the DVSA has issued a formal recall notice for the locking in problem. It says 1960 vehicles are affected. I wonder if the affected cars are all from the first batch of about 2000 that were due for delivery last year.

Interestingly, if I enter my registration number into the search box on the government’s recall site it says it has no information about a recall for my particular vehicle. It’s only if you make a generic search for MG4 that you get the following result.

https://www.check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk/recall-type/vehicle/make/MG%20MOTOR/model/MG4/year/2022/recalls

 

[Ian Key]

Just noticed that the DVSA has issued a formal recall notice for the locking in problem. It says 1960 vehicles are affected. I wonder if the affected cars are all from the first batch of about 2000 that were due for delivery last year.

It looks like it and I guess the following deliveries are either being updated at Portbury Docks or part of the dealer's PDI checks if they haven't been done at the factory.

 

[Smendon]

It looks like it and I guess the following deliveries are either being updated at Portbury Docks or part of the dealer's PDI checks if they haven't been done at the factory.

I asked my dealer yesterday about the update as I’m due to pick the car up this week and he explained that they check the car at the docks and the dealer. He also said it will be fully updated before it gets released.

 

[Buster72]

I asked my dealer yesterday about the update as I’m due to pick the car up this week and he explained that they check the car at the docks and the dealer. He also said it will be fully updated before it gets released.

Same for me. I am due to collect my new MG4 today and that is what I have been told by the dealer. Have to trust him for now. But if that trust is broken then he will know all about it I can assure you.

 

[RogerW]

Collected my new MG4 Trophy on 22 March 2023. 3 weeks ago the alarm went off (for 5 mins), & when I stopped I realised that I was locked in, though fortunately the driver window was open - which I then struggled through (I'm 69). AA man came 2 hours later. He couldn't figure out what had happened, but opened the bonnet triggering the alarm. When he switched the alarm off, the car computer seemed to re-boot itself & the car has been fine since. However I'm now a little uneasy using the car, for instance when I'm far from home or taking my 94 year-old mother for her hospital appointment. Can't get to the bottom of whether or not there's an escape solution.

ps forgot to say that it's an ev.

 

[OJEastwood]

ps forgot to say that it's an ev.

Given the MG4 is only an EV, I think that's taken as granted.

I would check with your dealer to ensure that an update on the car was carried out to prevent this from happening. It was an official recall and letters were sent out to owners, so they should know about it

 

[siteguru]

Go back to your dealer and make sure that the AS-22-RC008 recall has been done.

 

[Martinonline]

For clarification, you were driving in the car and the alarm just went off. You then had to continue for 5 minutes until you could stop it? How did the AA open the bonnet given the handle is inside the car? What actions did you take when sitting in the car or was the car completely unresponsive? I raised this issue with my dealer when I got my Trophy and he just said to use the door handles - were they unresponsive? Could you reach the outside door handle button to trigger lock/unlock?

 

[DuttSaab]

I had received the deadlock recall letter back in Jan, booked my car in for the patch mid Jan. went back in March for the oil leak and dashboard rattle just to be told that they’ll be doing the deadlock recall as they had previously “forgotten” to do it. And that’s me happy for my wife to drive around with the little one. I was so annoyed with their response. Most importantly, there was no apology from the dealer…

Please ask for a written confirmation from the dealer on what upgrades/parching they have done before you drive off.

 

[siteguru]

I know the code for the recall (as per above) because that's what's on the (no charge) invoice I received after it was done.

 

[DuttSaab]

I know the code for the recall (as per above) because that's what's on the (no charge) invoice I received after it was done.

thats good to hear. Worst part is that I never received any work completion invoices from the dealer. Upon requesting, they mentioned that everything is on our system and we don't issue notes or invoices.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

thats good to hear. Worst part is that I never received any work completion invoices from the dealer. Upon requesting, they mentioned that everything is on our system and we don't issue notes or invoices.

So they expect you to sign off on work without evidence of what's been done?

 

[RogerW]

For clarification, you were driving in the car and the alarm just went off. You then had to continue for 5 minutes until you could stop it? How did the AA open the bonnet given the handle is inside the car? What actions did you take when sitting in the car or was the car completely unresponsive? I raised this issue with my dealer when I got my Trophy and he just said to use the door handles - were they unresponsive? Could you reach the outside door handle button to trigger lock/unlock?

Sorry but hadn't wanted to send massive text with my initial post, so here's more detail. Driver window was open when the car locked, as I'd already set off on my own from my sister's house & just waved goodbye. Window wouldn't go back up, so I pulled in & pressed unlock button next to driver door handle. That's when alarm went off for 5 mins during which I went back to my sister's house. When I pulled up the car shut down. My brother in-law & nephew (both more car savvy than me) were unable to get anything to work inside or outside. My nephew googled the problem & put in a new fob battery, but still nothing. They helped me out of the driver's window. AA guy arrived - was used to EVs but was perplexed, but was able to reach bonnet release through the open window. Car now booked into MG garage this Friday, so will discuss with them.

 

[DuttSaab]

So they expect you to sign off on work without evidence of what's been done?

That’s exactly what my point was and I insisted on showing the proof of work being done. I even spoke to the manager and he mentioned that as per their policy they dont give out any documentation. Shocking

 

[Eber]

Worst part is that I never received any work completion invoices from the dealer. Upon requesting, they mentioned that everything is on our system and we don't issue notes or invoices.

Well, I'd at least ask them for a copy of the updates and recalls they did since it might be relevant if (or when ;-) ) you want to sell the car. As a private buyer I would be interested in that.

 

[JimD]

That’s exactly what my point was and I insisted on showing the proof of work being done. I even spoke to the manager and he mentioned that as per their policy they dont give out any documentation. Shocking

I'm surprised they aren't required to provide evidence that a DVSA recall matter has been dealt with (at least to satisfy the DVSA if not the customer) - did you get a recall letter? If so maybe you can query it with them while at the same time dropping the dealer in.

 

[DuttSaab]

Well, I'd at least ask them for a copy of the updates and recalls they did since it might be relevant if (or when ;-) ) you want to sell the car. As a private buyer I would be interested in that.

Thats true and I fully agree with you. Without naming and shaming, that was the only dealer closest to me, I had numerous issues with my car (i.e. dashboard rattle, car stopping for no reason, oil leak, power loss) and I wasnt getting any support from them. Most importantly they werent even offering me a loan car. I had a great initial run with MG4 but then completely lost faith in it and ended up selling the car back to the dealer.

 

[Martinonline]

Many thanks for the info, it is useful to know how others have dealt with this situation.

The Computer copy of the MG4 Manual Page 247 says:

Note: If the vehicle anti-theft system is set, pressing the lock/unlock switch of interior locks will not lock/unlock doors but will trigger the alarm system.

So, it could have been that the car's alarm was set somehow. Did you try pressing the 'Unlock' button on the key to silence and deactivate the alarm? (Page 246.)