DS DS 5 (2011–2018)Electronics and infotainmentKey, remote and keyless start
Door handle sensor and keyless entry failure in the DS DS 5
The DS5 page records keyless entry faults: door handle sensors failing one after another (150,000 km on a 2.0 HDi 163), automatic locking that fails randomly and one case of a key recognition module costing more than €300.[1]
Why this rating?
Low severity: A nuisance or wear. It does not immobilise the car or damage other parts.
Frequency occasional: Several cases among 290 reports on fiches-auto.fr, with no aggregate figure.[1]
Symptoms
- The handles stop detecting the key or the automatic locking fails randomly.[1]Electronic warnings: other faults that cause it · Monitor
Why it happens
Affected years and cars
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Sensors or recognition module.[1]
One report cites more than €300 for the module, an isolated amount and probably in France.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Test locking and unlocking on all the doors.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 5 October 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
One report cites more than €300; it is not a general reference.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other faults of the DS DS 5
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesSteering wheel vibration when brakingSeveral DS5 owners with the 2.0 HDi 163 describe vibration in the steering wheel when braking from around 90 km/h; according to the page, it is a known defect on Citroën.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPremature wear of the front tyresOn the DS5 page, the most numerous complaint outside the engine is premature tyre wear: 24 mentions out of 290 reports, with tyres worn out between 17,000 and 35,000 km across different engines.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentMultimedia system, GPS and reversing camera failureOn the DS5 page, multimedia system faults appear: radio/GPS/driver aids out of service at 40,000 km on a 1.6 THP 200, and several reversing cameras with water ingress or misting.
The faults of its engines are on the DS DS 5 page.
The same problem in other cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV200Start button that does not return to its position on the 2013-2014 e-NV200Yes: in 2015 a recall was notified to Safety Gate because the start button on e-NV200s produced in late 2013 and early 2014 could stay pressed without returning to its position; if the car was driven like that, the emergency stop function could switch off the engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Clase C W203False ESP/airbag warning lights, a humidity-sensitive SAM module and EWS immobiliser faultsIt is one of the areas with the most complaints on the W203: ESP, SRS or airbag warning lights that come on for no reason, temperamental central locking, SAM modules that age badly with damp and, in units built before the 2004 update, faults with the EWS immobiliser and the steering column switch.
- Medium severityFrequency: 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.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareToyota C-HR IThe immobiliser can switch from "Ready ON" to "Ready OFF" while the car is movingOn vehicles built between 2020 and 2023, a weak standard immobiliser design can let the car enter "Ready ON" mode without properly verifying the key and then switch to "Ready OFF" while driving, which can cause the hybrid system to shut down on the move. Toyota fixes it by inspecting the vehicle at an official service centre.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4LElectronics faults: MMI, keyless entry and comfort systemsThe Q7 4L is linked to faults with the MMI (screen, sound, menus), keyless entry antennas in the door handles and other comfort modules, often tied to damp or a weak battery.
All faults of the key and keyless start (26)Cars with the most electronics and infotainment problems
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Tous les problèmes sur Ds DS5 2011-2018 (290 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French