FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_05"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_05-b13)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 10.0-b19, mixed mode, sharing)

The problem is present since the version 1.6.0_04.

There was a similar bug, 4493369, in release 1.4.0-beta.

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
The application I work on implements its own version of FileSystemView and File to provide access to a remote filesystem. However, JFileChooser calls ShellFolder methods. In effect, I cannot open subdirectories on the remote filesystem.

The following is a stack trace created after clicking the "Open" button:

at client.tools.HttpFileChooser$HttpFile.getCanonicalFile(HttpFileChooser.java:417)
at sun.awt.shell.ShellFolder.getNormalizedFile(ShellFolder.java:242)
at javax.swing.plaf.basic.BasicFileChooserUI$Handler.mouseClicked(BasicFileChooserUI.java:423)
at sun.swing.FilePane$Handler.mouseClicked(FilePane.java:1710)
at java.awt.AWTEventMulticaster.mouseClicked(AWTEventMulticaster.java:253)
at java.awt.Component.processMouseEvent(Component.java:6102)
at javax.swing.JComponent.processMouseEvent(JComponent.java:3265)
at java.awt.Component.processEvent(Component.java:5864)
at java.awt.Container.processEvent(Container.java:2058)
at java.awt.Component.dispatchEventImpl(Component.java:4466)
at java.awt.Container.dispatchEventImpl(Container.java:2116)
at java.awt.Component.dispatchEvent(Component.java:4296)
at java.awt.LightweightDispatcher.retargetMouseEvent(Container.java:4322)
at java.awt.LightweightDispatcher.processMouseEvent(Container.java:3995)
at java.awt.LightweightDispatcher.dispatchEvent(Container.java:3916)
at java.awt.Container.dispatchEventImpl(Container.java:2102)
at java.awt.Window.dispatchEventImpl(Window.java:2454)
at java.awt.Component.dispatchEvent(Component.java:4296)
at java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEvent(EventQueue.java:599)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpOneEventForFilters(EventDispatchThread.java:284)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForFilter(EventDispatchThread.java:184)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForHierarchy(EventDispatchThread.java:174)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:169)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:161)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.run(EventDispatchThread.java:122)

As I checked in OpenJDK, ShellFolder.getNormalizedFile method creates its own instance of File class.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. Create inherited versions of FileSystemView and File classes to access any remote or virtual filesystem.
2. Instantiate JFileChooser with the newly created, custom FileSystemView.
3. Try to open a subdirectory.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
The subdirectory contents should be listed.
ACTUAL -
Nothing happens.

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Implement own JFileChooser alternative.