The affordable family car that leaves children trapped inside: Dozens of Skoda drivers claim their vehicles keep locking themselves by accident – forcing parents to smash windows to rescue their kids

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Skoda drivers have complained of being left trapped inside their cars as they repeatedly lock themselves by accident. 

One mother put the key in a nappy bag next to her one-year-old son and closed the door to walk around the car before it automatically locked.  

Most drivers experiencing problems have a £27,445 Skoda Karoq, which was named by What Car? as this year’s best value SUV. 

At least 65 drivers have complained about the same glitch on motoring forums and Skoda has said it is taking the issue ‘very seriously’. 

Francesca and Tommy Giovannelli, both 36, from Bushey in Hertfordshire, said their Kodiaq locked itself as they were preparing for a day out. 

Most drivers experiencing problems have a £27,445 Skoda Karoq, which was named by What Car? as this year’s best value SUV

At least 65 drivers have complained about the glitch on motoring forums and Skoda has said it is taking the issue ‘very seriously’

‘I didn’t have pockets so I put the key in the nappy bag,’ Mrs Giovannelli told The Sunday Times.

‘I put my one-year-old Max in the back and then put the nappy bag on the front passenger seat. I closed the door to walk around. In a split second, the car was locked.’

Neither of them could open the doors and they were about to smash a window before finding a new key in the house. 

Lesley Burton-Brown, from Harlow in Essex, said her car began locking itself ‘at random’, forcing her to be ‘very careful’. 

Describing an incident in August, she said: ‘This time both sets of keys were locked in the car — we spent an hour and a half in blazing sun calling locksmiths.’  

Brian Ely, from Bristol, said he had been locked out of his Karoq several times and been forced to replace the locks three times. 

Other motorists shared similar tales of woe on a Facebook account for Karoq owners. 

Mantas Vyšniauskas wrote: ‘One time it locked with a key inside along with my son… lucky he was five so he could open it.’ 

He said the problem had been happening for two years. 

The Skoda Superb estate has also been named among the models suffering the glitch 

Another driver, Stephen James Ralston, called for Skoda to announce a recall.

‘I have a 2018 Karoq 2.0 and it has a recurring issue with the auto locking over 10 mph. It constantly clicks but doesn’t lock,’ he wrote.

A Skoda spokesman said: ‘At Skoda Auto, ensuring the safety and security of our customers and vehicles is our top priority. 

‘We are aware of a few isolated instances of Skoda cars locking unexpectedly with the key still inside the cabin.

‘We are taking the issue very seriously and are conducting a thorough analysis of the reported incidents, focusing specifically on the vehicles and parts that have been the subject of complaints. 

‘If a customer has any concerns or questions relating to their car, they should contact their local Skoda retailer or our customer service team, both of whom will be happy to assist.’

The Karoq was yesterday named among the second hand cars that have lost the most value in the last six months. 

In May, a three-year-old Karoq would have been worth a little under £19,300. Today, a 36-month-old example is changing hands for just over £13,800.

That’s a value loss of 28 per cent, or £5,400, over just half a year.

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