Showing 6,381 complaints for MINI
Incident date: Oct 24, 2013
IT HAS OIL LEAKS AROUND TURBO LINE WHICH THE OILS MAKE SMOKES AS THE OIL DRIP CONTACTS WITH DOWN PIPE. THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR
Incident date: Oct 1, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY MINI THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN MINI'S. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKCASE VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS BUILT INTO THE VALVE COVER. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED MY TIMING CHAIN IS ALMOST RUINED ALSO. I HAVE BEEN HEARING THE TIMING CHAIN RATTLE UPON START UP. *TR
Incident date: Apr 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WOULD LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE AXLE AND SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT
... ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84000.Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF TH
... E FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 01/14/14Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THERE WAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF TH
... E FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 01/14/14Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2012
WHEN MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE ONLY HAD AROUND 85,000 MILE ON SPEEDOMETER MY TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY HAVE DIFFICULTY GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND STALL WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED BY CARS BEHIND ME NOT EXPECTING ME TO STALL. UPON RESEARCHING WEB THERE ARE MANY SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MINI USA DID NOT AGREE TO FIX THE
... VEHICLE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE IS KILLED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2013
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CAR TOWED TO LOCAL BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC, SHOWS TIMING CHAIN MISFIRE, NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. 3300$ WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. APPARENT PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN ON THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED A RECALL ON THE PIECE. THIS WAS ALMOST A MAJOR ACCIDENT FO
... R ME AND IS CAUSING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2013
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CAR TOWED TO LOCAL BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC, SHOWS TIMING CHAIN MISFIRE, NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. 3300$ WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ENGINE. APPARENT PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN ON THOUSANDS OF MINI COOPER AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED A RECALL ON THE PIECE. THIS WAS ALMOST A MAJOR ACCIDENT FO
... R ME AND IS CAUSING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD VIBRATE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Incident date: Oct 17, 2013
TOOK MY 2010 MINI COOPER S TO A MINI DEALERSHIP IN ANN ARBOR MI, WHERE THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 DAYS AND FINALLY CAME BACK TO ME SAYING THAT ITS THE TIMING CHAIN THAT NEEDS REPLACING, WHICH IS A FIX WITH A TOTAL COST OF AROUND $1,500. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2007 MINI COOPER, WHICH ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE IN THAT CASE THE TIMING CHAIN HAD ACTUALLY BROKEN. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND MINI
... NA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PART FOR THE MODEL YEARS THAT THIS DESIGN DEFECT HAS AFFECTED. PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE, I HAD ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 6 WEEKS AND WAS PURCHASED FROM MOTOR CITY MINI, WHICH IS AN OFFICIAL MINI DEALER. THIS VEHICLE ALSO WENT THROUGH AN INSPECTION BEFORE BEING SOLD TO ME. *TRRead more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2013
JUST PURCHASED USED 09 MINI , 2ND OWNER, ON START UP CAR SOUNDED ROUGH, DIESELING SOUND AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS COMMON. THEN WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN, TERRIBLE RATTLE SOUND. TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE RATTLE WENT AWAY, BUT THEN CAME BACK SHORTLY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE WAS DUE. TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AGAIN, AND SOUND WENT AWAY AGAIN, BUT THEN CAME BA
... CK WITHIN DAYS. FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET AN APPT WITH THE CLOSEST AUTHORIZED DEALER, 50 MILES AWAY, BUT COULDN'T GET IN FOR TWO WEEKS IN ORDER TO GET A LOANER. THEY HAD IT FOR TWO DAYS, REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, NYLON PARTS WERE IN THE OIL PAN FROM THE GUIDES BEING SHREDDED. PICKED UP THE CAR ON THE THIRD DAY, AND FIR ALMOST ONE WEEK IT SEEMED FINE. JUST SHORT OF ONE WEEK OUT OF THE SHOP AND HEARD THE RATTLE AGAIN. BUT THEN IT WAS FINE, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ANOMALY. ONE WEEK TO THE DAY SINCE PICKING IT UP FROM THE REPAIR, BARELY MADE IT INTO THE DRIVE FROM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. CALLED THE SHOP AND HAVE IT SCHEDULED TO GO BACK IN. HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP AS THE REPAIR TECH TREKS ME THAT IT IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE." *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2013
I AM BEING TOLD BY KNAUZ MINI REPAIR THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IT IS A $2000 REPAIR. IN LOOKING AT THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN HAVE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. IN FACT, THERE IS ONE CLASS ACTION SUIT IN NJ ABOUT IT. MINI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO A DESIGN FAILURE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 17, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 35 MPH STEERING THROUGH A CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IT REQUIRED MAJOR EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR TURNING THROUGH THE CURVE TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FIRST GENERATION MINI COOPERS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO TYPICALLY DRIVES THE CAR HAD BEEN AT THE WHEEL AT THE TIME THIS COU
... LD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE STEERING OF THE CAR. A CAR SHOULDN'T BE AT RISK OF HAVING MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT @ 55MPH, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED YELLOW AND THEN RED ON MY 2009 MINI COOPER. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE CLIPS WHICH SECURED THE LOWER RADIATOR HOSE IN PLACE HAD BROKEN AND THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS HANGING HORIZONALLY ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DRAGGING ALONG THE GROUND. A HOLE HAD BEEN WORN THROUGH THE HOSE A
... ND THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME ($285), I PURCHASED A NEW RADIATOR HOSE AND CLIPS FROM THE MINI DEALERSHIP ($160) AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY MY MECHANIC ($100). I ALSO LOST A 1/2 DAY OF WORK. A TOTAL LOSS OF OVER $600. BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN AND/OR INFERIOR MATERIALS INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON MINI COOPER PROBLEM. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING WHICH WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE, DESPITE MINI COOPER'S ATTEMPTS TO PLACE BLAME ON THE DRIVER'S WHO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. IF MINI COOPER WOULD PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND REMEDY THE SITUATION, IT WOULD SPARE COUNTLESS DRIVER'S FROM BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE AND THE EXPENSE OF FIXING WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMEDIED BY A SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL. *TRRead more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2013
MY 2007 MINI COOPER S EXPERIENCED THE DEATH RATTLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TIMING/TENSIONER CHAIN REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND MINI COOPER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THEIR CARS AND FIX THEM. *TR
Incident date: Mar 22, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVER-HEATED, CAUSING SMOKE TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,562 A
... ND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 15, 2013
THE BMW MINI COOPER 2006 HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000 BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE MANY MANY OWNERS HAVING TO PAY $1000 - $2000 FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING DEFECTS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE BROKEN CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASS
... ENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT. THE REPAIR OF THE DETECTION MAT FORCES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW ONE OF THE INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF MINI COOPERS WITH THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEM. MANY STATES HAVE YEARLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND THE AIRBAG SAFETY SITUATION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE INSPECTION PASSES. THE MINI COOPER "R" SERIES VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED INTO THE EA08-001 NHTSA RECALL 08V384000. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2013
THE BMW MINI COOPER 2006 HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000 BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE MANY MANY OWNERS HAVING TO PAY $1000 - $2000 FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING DEFECTS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE BROKEN CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASS
... ENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT. THE REPAIR OF THE DETECTION MAT FORCES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW ONE OF THE INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF MINI COOPERS WITH THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEM. MANY STATES HAVE YEARLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND THE AIRBAG SAFETY SITUATION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE INSPECTION PASSES. THE MINI COOPER "R" SERIES VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED INTO THE EA08-001 NHTSA RECALL 08V384000. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2013
I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER CONV S, APROX 53,000 MILES, HAS A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AT THIS TIME SHIFTING IN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS HAS BEEN ERRATIC, WITH VERY JERKY SHIFTING AND SPEED. *TR
Incident date: Sep 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT MAT SENSOR.
... THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2012
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED I OR MY HUSBAND HAVE LOST POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 MINI COOPER S. THIS ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEER PUMP & FAN HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM IN THESE MINIS. (THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE RECALL IN CANADA.) THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE AS IT IS A SUDDEN ONSET. IT IS PROBLEMATIC AT SLOW OR FAST SPEEDS. I CAN BARELY STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN T
... HIS OCCURS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN/OUT OF OUR GARAGE OR IN/OUT OF PARKING SPACES. I HAVE HAD TO FIND PARKING IN STRATEGIC AREAS MOST OFTEN WHERE I COULD PULL STRAIGHT IN A SPOT AND PULL STRAIGHT OUT. IT IS ALSO SCARY ON RAMPS OR INTERSTATE AS INSTEAD OF HAVING A RESPONSIVE SPORTY CAR IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A TANK THAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN LAST 10-12 MONTHS. IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN LAST FEW MONTHS. WE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR "WARRANTY EXTENSION/ REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT" AND CALLED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT WERE TOLD MINI HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS. WE CALLED AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE THE PARTS SO WE DROVE NEARLY 1 HOUR TO DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PART HAS NOT FAILED. THEY STATE THEY DROVE IT AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE. I WOULD GUESS IT HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT ABOUT AVERAGE 1X/WEEK BUT MORE FREQUENT AS TIME PROGRESSES. THE FAILURE MAY END UP BEING ME... IN A CASKET! *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
ENGINE NOISE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER DEFECT. IF THE CHAIN OR TENSIONER FAIL COMPLETELY THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN MOVING TRAFFIC OR CREATE A ROADSIDE HAZARD. *TR
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
MY CAR OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING ONLY 15 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (RED- STOP LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN) THEN WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON (ORANGE- CONTINUE ON YOUR JOURNEY; LET ENGINE COOL DOWN SOON). BY THE TIME I LOCATED THE SYMBOL TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS I WAS AT MY EXIT. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED ON THE OFF RAMP AND I COULD SEE BLACK SMOKE AND SMELL BURNING FROM UN
... DER THE HOOD. I PUSHED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO OIL OR WATER IN THE CAR AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I JUST HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP 28 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS I HAD AN INCIDENT WITH MY KEY FOB NOT RELEASING AND WAS CONCERNED THIS MIGHT BE AN INDICATION OF A BIGGER PROBLEM. THE FOB FINALLY RELEASED AFTER 40 MINUTES OF SITTING IN A PARKING LOT! THEY PERFORMED A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND CHANGED THE OIL, AIR FILERS, BRAKE FLUID AND GAVE THE CAR A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR $400 AND 28 DAYS LATER I HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND THEY QUOTED ME $9000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE! I SAW SEVERAL POSTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES ON MINI BLOG SITES AND FELT COMPELLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A BASE MODEL AND NOT AN "S" WHICH WAS PART OF A MINI RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL/WATER PUMP ISSUES. IF THERE IS A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE THE THERMOSTAT FAILS OR WATER PUMP FAILS ON THE BASE MODEL THEN MINI SHOULD ADDRESS IT. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
MY CAR OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING ONLY 15 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (RED- STOP LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN) THEN WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON (ORANGE- CONTINUE ON YOUR JOURNEY; LET ENGINE COOL DOWN SOON). BY THE TIME I LOCATED THE SYMBOL TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS I WAS AT MY EXIT. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED ON THE OFF RAMP AND I COULD SEE BLACK SMOKE AND SMELL BURNING FROM UN
... DER THE HOOD. I PUSHED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO OIL OR WATER IN THE CAR AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I JUST HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP 28 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS I HAD AN INCIDENT WITH MY KEY FOB NOT RELEASING AND WAS CONCERNED THIS MIGHT BE AN INDICATION OF A BIGGER PROBLEM. THE FOB FINALLY RELEASED AFTER 40 MINUTES OF SITTING IN A PARKING LOT! THEY PERFORMED A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND CHANGED THE OIL, AIR FILERS, BRAKE FLUID AND GAVE THE CAR A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR $400 AND 28 DAYS LATER I HAVE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND THEY QUOTED ME $9000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE! I SAW SEVERAL POSTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES ON MINI BLOG SITES AND FELT COMPELLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A BASE MODEL AND NOT AN "S" WHICH WAS PART OF A MINI RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL/WATER PUMP ISSUES. IF THERE IS A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE THE THERMOSTAT FAILS OR WATER PUMP FAILS ON THE BASE MODEL THEN MINI SHOULD ADDRESS IT. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATORS, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS STUCK IN A DANGEROUS PLACE, WITH HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC FOR SOMETIME. THE DEALER WHO AS MY CAR SAYS: "THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS THE LOCKING UP OF THE VACUUM PUMP. CONSEQUENTLY THIS CAUSED THE BOLT ON THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT SPROCKET TO SHEER OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF T
... IME. THE PISTONS THEREFORE MADE CONTACT WITH BOTH INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES, VERIFIED WITH BOROSCOPE INSPECTION, THUS BENDING THE VALVES AND CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. $6850.00 MINUS DISCOUNT TO REPLACE ENGINE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE HAD A LOT ISSUES WITH VARIOUS MINI ENGINE PARTS DETERIORATING, DESPITE FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ' CLUTCH, FLY-WHEEL, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE SILENCER, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING CHAIN TWICE, WATERPUMP, RADIO HEAD UNIT, DRIVE BELT, HI-LO HORN, BOOT LATCH, BOOT CABLE, TO NAME A FEW. HOPEFULLY MINI WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ISSUES. *TRRead more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2012
LAST DECEMBER MY STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS IN THE PROCESS. I CALLED MINI NORTH AMERICA TO DISCUSS MY FINDINGS AND TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT STATED SHE WASN'T AWARE OF ANY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE 4,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. WATER PUMP, SUPER CHARGER AND SEVERAL BEAR
... INGS. I THEN GET A LETTER IN EARLY JUNE OF 2013 STATING THAT A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS AND TO SEND ALL MY INFORMATION IN FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT I QUALIFY AND THAT A CHECK WAS GOING TO BE CUT AND SENT OUT BY THE END OF JUNE OR EARLY AUGUST. WHEN THE CHECK DIDN'T ARRIVE, I CONTINUED TO CALL MINI NORTH AMERICA AND I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE LATE SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER. I JUST CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND NOW I'M TOLD IT WILL BE CUT BEFORE THE NEW YEAR. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PUT SOMEONE'S HAND ON THE FIRE AND GET THIS RESOLVED? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 9, 2013
TRANSMISSION FAILED (CVT). VEHICLE HAS LOW MILES AND COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $8,000. *TR
Incident date: Dec 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSI
... S. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY COOLING FAN, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT AND EXPOSE MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,057.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 9, 2013
ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LOST POWER STEERING, SMOKE CAME OUT OF HOOD, ENGINE TEMPERATURE REDLINED, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Incident date: Oct 9, 2013
ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LOST POWER STEERING, SMOKE CAME OUT OF HOOD, ENGINE TEMPERATURE REDLINED, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Incident date: Oct 9, 2013
ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LOST POWER STEERING, SMOKE CAME OUT OF HOOD, ENGINE TEMPERATURE REDLINED, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Incident date: Oct 7, 2013
VEHICLE HAS NON-HEATED SIDE MIRRORS. AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 60F THEY FOG OVER OR ICE OVER WHEN COLDER. VISIBILITY IS LITERALLY ZERO ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. *TR
Incident date: Jun 5, 2012
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE STEERING GOT VERY HARD. *TR
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
STEERING WOULD WORK FINE SOME OF THE TIME BUT THEN BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN. *TR
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
Incident date: Oct 2, 2013
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
Incident date: Sep 30, 2013
I WAS EXITING FROM 35TH STREET IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA ONTO THE WARWICK BLVD OFF RAMP IN TRAFFIC, COASTING WITH THE BRAKES AT ABOUT 5 MPH, WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A NAVY OPERATED FLAT NOSE SCHOOL BUS, WHICH FORCED MY VEHICLE INTO A LATE MODEL CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY AIR BAGS (FRONT AND SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY, AND WHEN I CAME TO REST MY SEAT BACK HAD RECLINED AGAINST MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT (CHILD WAS NOT IN
... VEHICLE). THE RIGHT REAR UNIBODY WAS CREASED DUE TO THE IMPACT FROM THE BUS. I SUFFERED NECK, BACK, AND SPINE TRAUMA. THE DRIVER OF THE TRAILBLAZER COMPLAINED OF NECK PAIN AT THE SCENE. LOCAL NEWPORT NEWS FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE, AS WELL AS A VIRGINIA STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER HANDLED THE ACCIDENT. *TRRead more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 30, 2013
I WAS EXITING FROM 35TH STREET IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA ONTO THE WARWICK BLVD OFF RAMP IN TRAFFIC, COASTING WITH THE BRAKES AT ABOUT 5 MPH, WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A NAVY OPERATED FLAT NOSE SCHOOL BUS, WHICH FORCED MY VEHICLE INTO A LATE MODEL CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY AIR BAGS (FRONT AND SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY, AND WHEN I CAME TO REST MY SEAT BACK HAD RECLINED AGAINST MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT (CHILD WAS NOT IN
... VEHICLE). THE RIGHT REAR UNIBODY WAS CREASED DUE TO THE IMPACT FROM THE BUS. I SUFFERED NECK, BACK, AND SPINE TRAUMA. THE DRIVER OF THE TRAILBLAZER COMPLAINED OF NECK PAIN AT THE SCENE. LOCAL NEWPORT NEWS FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE, AS WELL AS A VIRGINIA STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER HANDLED THE ACCIDENT. *TRRead more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 30, 2013
I WAS EXITING FROM 35TH STREET IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA ONTO THE WARWICK BLVD OFF RAMP IN TRAFFIC, COASTING WITH THE BRAKES AT ABOUT 5 MPH, WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A NAVY OPERATED FLAT NOSE SCHOOL BUS, WHICH FORCED MY VEHICLE INTO A LATE MODEL CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY AIR BAGS (FRONT AND SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY, AND WHEN I CAME TO REST MY SEAT BACK HAD RECLINED AGAINST MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT (CHILD WAS NOT IN
... VEHICLE). THE RIGHT REAR UNIBODY WAS CREASED DUE TO THE IMPACT FROM THE BUS. I SUFFERED NECK, BACK, AND SPINE TRAUMA. THE DRIVER OF THE TRAILBLAZER COMPLAINED OF NECK PAIN AT THE SCENE. LOCAL NEWPORT NEWS FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE, AS WELL AS A VIRGINIA STATE TROOPER. THE TROOPER HANDLED THE ACCIDENT. *TRRead more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Sep 14, 2013
THE 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN HAS A POORLY DESIGNED CUP HOLDER THAT PUNCTURES CUPS CAUSING LIQUID TO LEAK. THIS CUP HOLDER IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND ALLOWS FLUID (CONDENSATION) INTO THE GEARSHIFT ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSES THE INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. IT WILL ALSO CAUSE THE KEY TO BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LABOR TO FIX THE ISSUE AND WILL ALSO N
... OT CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS WELL AS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR THE CONSUMER. WHEN I CALLED MINI USA THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS LANGUAGE IN THE MANUAL THAT PROVIDED A WARNING ABOUT WHAT CUPS WERE APPROPRIATE BUT I FOUND NO SUCH LANGUAGE. THERE WAS BARELY A REFERENCE TO THE CUP HOLDERS. THEY MAY HAVE UPDATED THEIR MANUAL SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR BUT MINE DID NOT HAVE ANY REFERENCE TO SUCH A PROBLEM. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2013
THE 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN HAS A POORLY DESIGNED CUP HOLDER THAT PUNCTURES CUPS CAUSING LIQUID TO LEAK. THIS CUP HOLDER IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND ALLOWS FLUID (CONDENSATION) INTO THE GEARSHIFT ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSES THE INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. IT WILL ALSO CAUSE THE KEY TO BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LABOR TO FIX THE ISSUE AND WILL ALSO N
... OT CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS WELL AS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR THE CONSUMER. WHEN I CALLED MINI USA THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS LANGUAGE IN THE MANUAL THAT PROVIDED A WARNING ABOUT WHAT CUPS WERE APPROPRIATE BUT I FOUND NO SUCH LANGUAGE. THERE WAS BARELY A REFERENCE TO THE CUP HOLDERS. THEY MAY HAVE UPDATED THEIR MANUAL SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR BUT MINE DID NOT HAVE ANY REFERENCE TO SUCH A PROBLEM. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2013
THE 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN HAS A POORLY DESIGNED CUP HOLDER THAT PUNCTURES CUPS CAUSING LIQUID TO LEAK. THIS CUP HOLDER IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND ALLOWS FLUID (CONDENSATION) INTO THE GEARSHIFT ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSES THE INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. IT WILL ALSO CAUSE THE KEY TO BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MINI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LABOR TO FIX THE ISSUE AND WILL ALSO N
... OT CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS WELL AS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR THE CONSUMER. WHEN I CALLED MINI USA THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS LANGUAGE IN THE MANUAL THAT PROVIDED A WARNING ABOUT WHAT CUPS WERE APPROPRIATE BUT I FOUND NO SUCH LANGUAGE. THERE WAS BARELY A REFERENCE TO THE CUP HOLDERS. THEY MAY HAVE UPDATED THEIR MANUAL SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR BUT MINE DID NOT HAVE ANY REFERENCE TO SUCH A PROBLEM. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 27, 2013
MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE WHEN HE SMELLED WIRES BURNING AND SMOKE, WENT TO PULL OVER AND THE CAR WAS HARD TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE POWER STEER PUMPS ELECTRONICS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE ADJACENT PARTS. UPON CONTACT RAULPH SCHOMP MINI COOPER DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CARS BEING REPLACED FOR SIMIL
... AR PROBLEMS. THE CAR JUST HAD MAJOR WORK DONE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM A YEAR AND HALF AGO BY THE SAME DEALER. SPOKE WITH THE MINI USA REP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT BEING COVERED. *TRRead more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 30, 2013
THERMOSTAT HOUSING DESIGN FLAW. SPOKE WITH PART DEPT MANAGER ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKING COOLANT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE HOUSING CAUSES THE PART TO SPLIT OPEN WHERE THE 2 PIECES WERE SEAMED TOGETHER. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND CURRENTLY THAT PARTICULAR PART IS ON BACK-ORDER AND THUS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CA
... R AS IT LEAKS ALL THE COOLANT OUT BEFORE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 15, 2013
TIMING CHAIN MAKING TERRIBLE RATTLE. AFTER RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A NEW AND QUITE COMMON PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Incident date: Jul 1, 2013
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER. INITIALLY THE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY ON; HOWEVER NOW IT REMAINS PERMANENTLY LIGHT. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER OC3 MAT IS FAULTY AND WILL BE REQUIRE A $1,000+ FIX. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES ON SOME VEHICLES, EVEN AFTER
... BEING REPAIRED WITH NEW PARTS. ADDITIONALLY, BMW, THE PARENT COMPANY OF MINI, HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR BMW VEHICLES AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. MINI OFTEN USES BMW PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES SO IT IS POSSIBLE AND QUITE LIKELY THAT SIMILAR PARTS WERE USED. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT IS WIDE SPREAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2013
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR TOWNHOME. THAT AFTERNOON, MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT SHE HAD HEARD A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIREFIGHTERS CAUTIOUSLY RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT SOMETHING HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THEY TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND I
... CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO WORKS ON OUR AUTOMOBILES, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A CLAIMS AGENT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS WERE DAMAGED. *LN *TRRead more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 8, 2013
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR TOWNHOME. THAT AFTERNOON, MY NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT SHE HAD HEARD A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIREFIGHTERS CAUTIOUSLY RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT SOMETHING HAD CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THEY TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND I
... CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO WORKS ON OUR AUTOMOBILES, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A CLAIMS AGENT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS WERE DAMAGED. *LN *TRRead more
Fire
Incident date: Sep 26, 2013
WE BOUGHT 2 2003 MINI COOPERS IN 2003. BOTH VEHICLES HAD ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES, ONE IN MARCH 09 AT 143060 AND THE OTHER MINI IN JULY 2010 AT 133380. WE RECEIVED THE EPS EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER AND SENT IN OUR CLAIM, USPS DOCUMENTED DELIVERY TO MINI USA ON JUNE 29, 2013. I HAVE CALLED MINI "CUSTOMER SERVICE" ON AUGUST 8, AUGUST 29, AND TODAY SEPTEMBER 26. NO ONE THERE CAN TELL
... YOU ANYTHING AND THEY DO NOTHING EXCEPT APOLOGIZING FOR NOT KNOWING ANYTHING. THEY SAY RESPONSES ARE TAKING 12 WEEKS WHICH IS WHERE I AM ON THE CALENDAR. MY REPAIR COSTS WERE IN EXCESS OF $2000. TODAY I AM SENDING A HAND WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER WITH COPIES OF ALL RECEIPTS TO JIM MCDOWELL VP MINI USA. NHTSA NEEDS TO FOLLOWUP ON THIS. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS INTENDED TO HEAD OFF A RECALL BUT THEY ARE NOT HANDLING IT IN A PROPER MANNER. TURN UP THE HEAT! *JSRead more
Incident date: May 1, 2012
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LATE AT NIGHT ON A LONG ROAD TRIP HOME. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AND WELL KNOWN BY MINI/BMW. *JS