i just notice i can smartkey access the passenger door, but not the drivers door, but i have no issue unlocking or locking all doors with keyfob
what a pain, can someone please help?

 

With just the info provided, sounds like either a door handle that's bad or a drivers door oscillator (that is the part that detects the key when it's near the door).
When you walk up to the drivers door, do you notice the puddle light come on before you touch the handle. If so, then the oscillator is likely working, and the issue is the handle.
This might be an easier test at night...so you can easily see the puddle light come on.

 

the puddle light does come up on the passenger side, however not on the driver's side
i guess the problem is with the oscillator, how much is the cost for getting that replaced?
thank you so much for your reply

 

The oscillator is not something common that fails, to be honest I've never heard of one being replaced...at least not on a 3IS.
On the IS, the oscillator is actually in the handle (it's part of the door handle) and there is a harness that runs to it.
Has anything happened to the drivers door recently? Like an accident or any kind of body work? I'm wondering if the harness to the handle might be damaged or unplugged.

 

Even if the oscillator in the driver door is defective, the puddle lamp should still illuminate when the doors are unlocked with the key or passenger side door handle. My guess is an unplugged harness.