Is it just me or are these factory fitted deployable side steps totally unreliable? They are obviously really sensitive to anything in their way to stop finger/toe traps etc but they are constantly getting gunk in the mechanisms and they are falsely retracting.

Its the drivers side one at the minute, starts to deploy then retracts. Was the passenger a couple months ago. If you manage to get hold of it and 'help' it, it will fully deploy.

Is there an answer to this problem or is that just how they are?

Cheers

Pete. L494 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Chile Red (Current)
L320 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Baltic Blue (RIP 29/03/2021 insurance total loss)

Mine seem to work as they should but sometimes when car is unlocked in garage I notice the steps out then I’ll open a rear door and they go in, then I may go back in sometimes in an hour or sometimes the next day and they are out again. I’m not too concerned though

Mine have worked brilliantly for 6 years, about the only thing that hasn't broken down since new

A couple of months ago mine started to do as you say, retracting and then not retracting etc. I took it to my stealer, who cleaned and lubricated them and they are perfect again.

Best of luck !