The automatic door locks in my daughter's 04 Mini Cooper have an issue. They seem to lock okay with the key fob, but they will not unlock. Is this typical with a failed actuator or is there something else I should look at?

 

Not sure on the 04, I've got an 07 with comfort access and one day my
doors would not lock or unlock with my fob. I had to replace the battery in it and then all was fine.
Does your fob have a battery?

 

I have an 02 and mine did the same. First with the passenger side, couple months later the drivers. I replaced the don battery and nothing. Replaced the actuators, and worked like normal. The actuators are about $120 online, and changing them takes about 1 hr to 1.5 hrs. It's pretty easy to do.