door lock problem - 2003 ES-300

[tech]

Recently, after my warranty ended, the rear door/driver side automatic door
lock stopped working on my 2003 ES-300. I spoke with a friend with the
identical vehicle and he told me that the same door lock stopped working on
his ES-300.
After Googling a search, I found several messages indicating that this may
be a "known issue" and that dealers are installing "updated door locks".
Before I contact my dealer, I am wondering if others have had this issue.
Everything else on the vehicle has worked flawlessly, so I am surprised that
something like this would fail so quickly.

I am also wondering if I might have inadvertently disengaged a feature that
would keep the lock permanently locked (I once did this unknowingly with my
automatic trunk latch).

Thanks!

- Carl

[Ray O]

Post by tech
Recently, after my warranty ended, the rear door/driver side automatic
door lock stopped working on my 2003 ES-300. I spoke with a friend with
the identical vehicle and he told me that the same door lock stopped
working on his ES-300.
After Googling a search, I found several messages indicating that this may
be a "known issue" and that dealers are installing "updated door locks".
Before I contact my dealer, I am wondering if others have had this issue.
Everything else on the vehicle has worked flawlessly, so I am surprised
that something like this would fail so quickly.
I am also wondering if I might have inadvertently disengaged a feature
that would keep the lock permanently locked (I once did this unknowingly
with my automatic trunk latch).
Thanks!
- Carl

There is no feature that keeps any of the passenger doors permanently
locked, although there is a child safety feature on the rear doors. When
engaged, the interior door release does not work although the door can be
opened from the outside.