Panamera Rear Passenger Doors Won't Open From Outside
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 329
From: Canada
Rep Power: 31
Still have the issue, drivers rear will not open from outside, drivers front comes and goes, looks like the lock activator, considering how many places that sell them I am guessing common problem. We need to push this as a safety issue so Porsche will recall them 
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2
From: Roscoe, IL
Rep Power: 0
I see Stringbag posted a video. I think that is front door which has a lot in common with rear, but my rear doors were harder due to the little screws holding the outer chrome window trim. Here are some written steps and pictures that might help. My net on door actuators: 1)had to replace both front actuators when they started to fail locking. 2)one rear actuator that would not open from the outside started working after I pulled it out and put it back, then no problems in a year. Maybe it was just dropping power, or maybe something mechanical.
Rear 2011 Pana4 Inner door panel
1. Remove 2x T45 upper left. Leave one a bit in to hold the panel. Picture #1.
2. At upper right, snap out triangular plastic to remove 3rd T45 and right outer trim torx screw. Unscrew but leave the 4th T45 in a bit to hold the panel. Picture #2
3. Remove latch cover at left. Lift a little at the door edge to unclip it, then pull. Picture #3.
4. Window down. Look thru the window slot to see two torx holding the chrome outer trim to the door. I backed them out a bit, then wrapped a wire to avoid dropping them. Pictures #4, #5, #6.
5. Remove the 4th torx holding the outer trim at the far right under the plastic. Picture #7.
6. Remove six T30s holding the panel. Mine had blue dots on them and I kept the screws in order so the dots would align again. Picture #8.
7. Remove two 12pt 6mm screws at the actuator. Picture #11
8. Pull bottom of the panel, then lift. The left separated from the outer door panel about 6-8”. I did not remove the door open holder at left bottom, so rested the panel on a bucket.
9. Four connections to actuator:
a. Oval electrical: screwdriver in rectangular hole to release
b. Square electrical: pull out red clip, then squeeze base to release.
c. Inner door cable: turn the plastic to release.
d. Outer door cable: squeeze the U to pull a plastic pin up to turn. Picture #9.
10. On install, I pulled the rubber pieces off the top of the door and put them into the slots on the inner panel. Picture #10. I saw some folks replaced the 4x aluminum T45s, but I was able to torque without breaking.
Rear 2011 Pana4 Inner door panel
1. Remove 2x T45 upper left. Leave one a bit in to hold the panel. Picture #1.
2. At upper right, snap out triangular plastic to remove 3rd T45 and right outer trim torx screw. Unscrew but leave the 4th T45 in a bit to hold the panel. Picture #2
3. Remove latch cover at left. Lift a little at the door edge to unclip it, then pull. Picture #3.
4. Window down. Look thru the window slot to see two torx holding the chrome outer trim to the door. I backed them out a bit, then wrapped a wire to avoid dropping them. Pictures #4, #5, #6.
5. Remove the 4th torx holding the outer trim at the far right under the plastic. Picture #7.
6. Remove six T30s holding the panel. Mine had blue dots on them and I kept the screws in order so the dots would align again. Picture #8.
7. Remove two 12pt 6mm screws at the actuator. Picture #11
8. Pull bottom of the panel, then lift. The left separated from the outer door panel about 6-8”. I did not remove the door open holder at left bottom, so rested the panel on a bucket.
9. Four connections to actuator:
a. Oval electrical: screwdriver in rectangular hole to release
b. Square electrical: pull out red clip, then squeeze base to release.
c. Inner door cable: turn the plastic to release.
d. Outer door cable: squeeze the U to pull a plastic pin up to turn. Picture #9.
10. On install, I pulled the rubber pieces off the top of the door and put them into the slots on the inner panel. Picture #10. I saw some folks replaced the 4x aluminum T45s, but I was able to torque without breaking.
For the group, I had an issue with not being able to open the door from the outside. Opening from the inside was no problem. Found this thread and others and replaced the actuator. Now it works fine from the outside. Entry and drive works, all good. But now I can’t open the damn thing from the inside??!!? Hoping it’s not an issue with me not getting it put back together correctly. I’m due at my mechanic’s tomorrow to take care of another issue. Maybe I should have him check to see if it threw a code? So strange.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
From: Santa Maria, CA
Rep Power: 0
Had the same problem on one of two rear actuators (both sides) I replaced, found out the cable had fallen off. I think I did not reinstall it correctly the first time. It's been great for 6 months now.
My Drivers door won't open from the outside now, requires the use of a key. Ordered actuator from FCP and will install when it arrives.
My Drivers door won't open from the outside now, requires the use of a key. Ordered actuator from FCP and will install when it arrives.
Last edited by rgfinnegan3; Sep 13, 2021 at 07:12 PM. Reason: did not complete my thoughts
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,298
From: TX
Rep Power: 123
I have a DIY on here for replacing the actuator, with video of removing the trim and then the inner door. Dont feel like searching. I am sure if you type in actuator replacement you will find it.
Not hard, takes time, but so does anything else in life that matters.
Not hard, takes time, but so does anything else in life that matters.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2
From: Roscoe, IL
Rep Power: 0
Thanks. I've already replaced the actuator. Wasn't bad. I was trying to sort why I could no longer use inside door handle and turns out I didn't get the cable attached correctly when I put the door back together. Sorted now.
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Deezflip
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May 14, 2019 09:57 PM