Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 6,381 complaints for MINI
MINI
COOPER CONVERTIBLE
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 20, 2013
Incident date: Jul 1, 2013
TRANSMISSION IS GOING ON A 2008 CAR WITH ONLY 47000 MILES ON IT. DOESN'T SHIFT WHEN NEEDED THEREFORE DOESN'T ACCELERATE SAFELY. *TR
Incident date: Aug 19, 2013
YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FORCED ME TO HIT A CURB. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE SIDE ROADS TO AVOID THE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. THE CURB DID DO SOME DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MAN DATE IS OCT 2004. *TR
Incident date: Aug 13, 2013
AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON, AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. CALLED MINI COOPER OF PENSACOLA, FL AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE BAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THEIR WAS AN ACCIDENT AT FULL FORCE. I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER AND FEEL THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE ACTIVE AND OPERABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAI... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Incident date: May 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WAS GETTING HOT. I MOVED MY HAND DOWN TO THE GAS PEDAL AREA AND FELT A LOT HEAT WHICH I LATER DETERMINED TO BE COMING FROM THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH WITH MY BARE HANDS. *TR
Incident date: May 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WAS GETTING HOT. I MOVED MY HAND DOWN TO THE GAS PEDAL AREA AND FELT A LOT HEAT WHICH I LATER DETERMINED TO BE COMING FROM THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH WITH MY BARE HANDS. *TR
Incident date: Aug 15, 2013
LUCKILY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE (LOW SPEED, HIGH MANAGEABILITY) AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS. I STOPPED AT A MECHANIC SHOP - FLUIDS AND BELTS WERE FINE. IT'S THE FAN/PUMP THAT HAS SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. *TR
Incident date: Aug 14, 2013
STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ISSUE WITH THE TIME CHAIN. SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE THAT THE CHAIN ALMOST BROKE. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT ON TOP OF CHANGING MY OIL AND GETTING MY CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME IT NEED IT SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD EVEN HAPPEN. WHEN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I SAW THAT ITS EXTREMELY COMMON FOR MODELS SINCE 2007+ TO EXPERIENCE THIS. TH... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2013
STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ISSUE WITH THE TIME CHAIN. SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE THAT THE CHAIN ALMOST BROKE. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT ON TOP OF CHANGING MY OIL AND GETTING MY CAR SERVICED EVERYTIME IT NEED IT SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD EVEN HAPPEN. WHEN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM I SAW THAT ITS EXTREMELY COMMON FOR MODELS SINCE 2007+ TO EXPERIENCE THIS. TH... Read more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2013
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSED IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN HOUSING CRACKED CAUSING OIL TO SPRAY THE HOT ENGINE. SUBSEQUENT OIL STARTED A SMALL FIRE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY DRIVER. *TR
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
MY COOLING FAN BURNED OUT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED. HOWEVER, MINI CLAIMS THAT THEY STARTED PUTTING NEW PUMPS IN FEB OF 2005. MY CAR WAS MADE IN MAR OF 2005 AND THUS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I WENT THE EXTRA STEP AND HAD THE DEALER DO A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH FOUND THAT MY CAR HAS... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. SINCE THIS DATE THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
THE CAR LOSES POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY AND IT MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE INTERSECTION AND I CAN'T TURN THE CAR. I DRIVE WITH MY CHILD AND THIS FREAKS ME OUT. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IN MAY 2013 I RECEIVED MINI RECALL/EXTENSION OF WARRANTY LETTER AND CALLED MINI DEALER IN SACRAMENTO CA AND THEY PUT ME TO THE RECORDING MACHINE, WHERE ... Read more
MINI
COOPER CONVERTIBLE
(2005) - STEERING
Aug 12, 2013
Incident date: Aug 10, 2013
DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH ON A ONE LANE STREET, I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROADWAY AND COLLIDED WITH SOME SHRUBBERY. *TR
Crash
MINI
COOPER S CONVERTIBLE
(2005) - STEERING
Aug 12, 2013
Incident date: Aug 11, 2013
I HAD A TEMPORARY LOST OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. I DROVE TO A FEW BLOCKS TO STOP. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A MONTH EARLIER OR SO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I HAD A VERY HARD TIME TO STEER THE CAR AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. *TR
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2008) - ENGINE
Aug 11, 2013
Incident date: Aug 9, 2013
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT . *TR
Fire
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2008) - SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 11, 2013
Incident date: Aug 9, 2013
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT . *TR
Fire
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 11, 2013
Incident date: Aug 9, 2013
PLAYING GOLF, CAR IS IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE CATCHES FIRE, DESTROYED FRONT HALF OF CAR, ENGINE FELL ON PAVEMENT . *TR
Fire
Incident date: Jul 11, 2013
I HAVE BEEN A MINI COOPER OWNER SINCE 2007 AND LOVED MY MINI. IT WAS A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAD APPROX. 127K MILES, IT DROVE GREAT AND I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THE SIX YEARS I OWNED IT. IN JULY 2013, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND HEARD A VERY FAINT PERCOLATING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE DASH. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND THERE WERE NO WARNING L... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 26, 2012
RE: EHPS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE I RECEIVED A LETTER FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR A POWER-ASSIST STEERING ISSUE WHICH I HAD ALREADY REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. WHEN I CALLED TO INQUIRE, WAS TOLD CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE PROCESSED IN 6-8 WEEKS. I SUBMITTED MY CLAIM JUNE 12, 2013. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013, I CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF MY CLAIM AND WAS TOLD THAT, D... Read more
Incident date: Jul 17, 2013
THE FIRST OF MULTIPLE STEERING FAILURES OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, THANKFULLY. NONE HAS YET TO HAPPEN ON INTERSTATE OR AT A DEADLY RATE OF SPEED, WHICH THAT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE VERY FAST IF A CHILD RIDING ON THEIR BIKE UNEXPECTEDLY DARTED IN FRONT OF YOU. IF THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AT THAT MOMENT IT WOULD BE OVER FOR THE KID. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOWN, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, ISSUED GOES U... Read more
MINI
COOPER
(2010) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Aug 8, 2013
Incident date: Jul 31, 2013
I HAD JUST PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND GOT OUT TO GET ITEMS OUT OF THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. MY LEG TOUCHED THE TAIL PIPE OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS IN INSTANT BURN TO THE CALF OF MY LEG. IT ONLY TOOK ONE SECOND. IT WAS THE SIZE OF A QUARTER AND SKIN WAS BURNED OFF INSTANTLY. IT IS QUITE PAINFUL. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE INJURY AND I ALSO TOOK A PICTURE OF THE TAIL PIPE TO SHOW THAT IT STICKS OUT BEYON... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Jun 11, 2013
THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW WITH A ONE-TOUCH FEATURE. AT FIRST, THE ONE-TOUCH FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THEN NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THIS WINDOW, THE WINDOW DID NOTHING AND A FAINT CLICKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR/FOOTWELL AREA. I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEAL... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2013
THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC WINDOW WITH A ONE-TOUCH FEATURE. AT FIRST, THE ONE-TOUCH FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THEN NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE WINDOW TO GO UP OR DOWN. UPON PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THIS WINDOW, THE WINDOW DID NOTHING AND A FAINT CLICKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR/FOOTWELL AREA. I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEAL... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2006
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHIFT LINKAGE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V201000 ... Read more
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2009) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 5, 2013
Incident date: Jun 15, 2012
DESPITE PERFORMING REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR TIMING CHAIN MAKING A NOISE FROM THE FIRST MONTH, MINI NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM ALWAYS INSISTING THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL OR THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. EVENTUALLY OUR TIMING CHAIN JUMPED THE RAILS AND DESTROYED OUR ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND MINI USA DECLINED TO FIX THE ISSUE. ONLY ONCE DID THEY TRY TO FIX IT BY REPLACING TH... Read more
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN
(2009) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 5, 2013
Incident date: Jun 15, 2012
DESPITE PERFORMING REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR TIMING CHAIN MAKING A NOISE FROM THE FIRST MONTH, MINI NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM ALWAYS INSISTING THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL OR THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. EVENTUALLY OUR TIMING CHAIN JUMPED THE RAILS AND DESTROYED OUR ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND MINI USA DECLINED TO FIX THE ISSUE. ONLY ONCE DID THEY TRY TO FIX IT BY REPLACING TH... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2013
WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING AND FAN GO OUT ABOUT 3 TIMES ON THIS CAR. WE HAVE OWNED IT NEW FROM 2002. THERE WAS A RECALL AND WE ONLY RECEIVED $525 DOLLARS WHEN WE SPEND OVER $2000. WHY WOULD WE NOT RECEIVE A FULL REFUND AS WE HAD THE WORK DONE ALWAYS AT THE MINI DEALER AND WE HAD TWO RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER SHOWING THE DEFECT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT INCREASED TO 13 YE... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2013
THIRD COMPLAINT AND COUNTING..... I WENT TO START MY MINI, ONLY TO NOTICE IT WAS LEAKING OIL HEAVILY UNDER MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO MY REPAIR SHOP WHO TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE O RING. THEY REPLACED IT AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK A WEEK LATER. I RETURNED FRIDAY JULY 19TH TO HAVE THEM LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHERE. ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE SEAL WAS FINE! IT TURNS OUT THE VACUUM PUM... Read more
MINI
COOPER S CLUBMAN
(2009) - POWER TRAIN
Jul 31, 2013
Incident date: May 14, 2010
AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES PRIOR, WE BROUGHT IN OUR MINI FOR SERVICE WITH A COLD-START RATTLE THAT WAS RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP IN ST. LOUIS REPLACED ONLY THE TENSIONER, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO STANDARD PROTOCOL (PUMA MEASURE #10686850-13) THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. WHEN THE RATTLE RETURNED A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES LATER WE ... Read more
MINI
COOPER S CLUBMAN
(2009) - ENGINE
Jul 31, 2013
Incident date: May 14, 2010
AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES PRIOR, WE BROUGHT IN OUR MINI FOR SERVICE WITH A COLD-START RATTLE THAT WAS RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP IN ST. LOUIS REPLACED ONLY THE TENSIONER, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO STANDARD PROTOCOL (PUMA MEASURE #10686850-13) THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. WHEN THE RATTLE RETURNED A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES LATER WE ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2013
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I FILED A COMPLAINT THE FIRST TIME IN 2012. HERE IS THE COMPLAINT THAN AND IT IS A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED THE WEB AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME DESIGN PROBLEM I HAVE SPENT $1,100 ALREADY AND NOW AN REQUIRED TO PAY ANOTHER $1,400 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ON-LINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WROTE THE DEALER AND MINI-COOP... Read more
Incident date: Jul 26, 2013
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I FILED A COMPLAINT THE FIRST TIME IN 2012. HERE IS THE COMPLAINT THAN AND IT IS A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED THE WEB AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME DESIGN PROBLEM I HAVE SPENT $1,100 ALREADY AND NOW AN REQUIRED TO PAY ANOTHER $1,400 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ON-LINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WROTE THE DEALER AND MINI-COOP... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2013
AUTO TRANSMISSION CVT FAILURE. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2003 MINI COOPER WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES AND THIS CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THE MINI DEALER WANTS $9,000 TO R&R THE TRANS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. I FEEL BMW / MINI SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEM SELVES. LAST YEAR THE MINI DEALER CHARGE ME OVER $2,100 TO R&R THE STEERING PUMP WHEN THE CAR HAD UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. BMW / MINI SHOUL... Read more
Incident date: Jul 11, 2013
AT LESS THAN 33,000 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CRANKING NOISE. OIL WAS VERY RECENTLY CHANGED, BUT CHECKED THE LEVEL ANYWAY AND FOUND IT WAS DOWN ABOUT 2 QUARTS. ADDED OIL AND ENGINE NOISE WAS REDUCED. DROVE A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES AND ENGINE NOISE RETURNED. OIL WAS AGAIN LOW. TOOK CAR TO OUR MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2012
IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED A LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED FAILED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IN 11/2012. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IN 11/2012 THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. IN 12/2012 THE BATTERY HAD TO BE R... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2012
IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED A LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED FAILED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IN 11/2012. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IN 11/2012 THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. IN 12/2012 THE BATTERY HAD TO BE R... Read more
Incident date: Sep 20, 2012
IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED A LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED FAILED CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IN 11/2012. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IN 11/2012 THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. IN 12/2012 THE BATTERY HAD TO BE R... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2013
ENGINE BAY STARTED SMOKING. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND NOTICE THE TURBO OIL LINE WAS LEAKING HOT OIL EVERYWHERE. COULD OF RESULTED IN A ENGINE BAY FIRE. *TR
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN S
(2008) - ENGINE
Jul 26, 2013
Incident date: Jul 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE ON A SEMI-RURAL ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, MY CAR APPEARED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). MY HEAD LURCHED FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN FORCEFULLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH ON A 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD FOR THE NEXT MILE, UNTIL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED, AN... Read more
MINI
COOPER CLUBMAN S
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Jul 26, 2013
Incident date: Jul 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE ON A SEMI-RURAL ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, MY CAR APPEARED TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). MY HEAD LURCHED FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN FORCEFULLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH ON A 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD FOR THE NEXT MILE, UNTIL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED, AN... Read more
Incident date: Jul 24, 2013
I WAS DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC (40MPH) WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED SO HARD IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS FEELING THE JERKINESS SLIGHTLY AND INTERMITTENTLY (FELT LIKE DOWNSHIFTING). AFTER READING PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS IN MINI FORUMS, I'M STARTING TO THINK THIS COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IF THIS CONTINUE... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2013
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
MINI
COOPER COUNTRYMAN
(2012) - SEAT BELTS
Jul 24, 2013
Incident date: Mar 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT ALARM WOULD SOUND WHEN NO ONE WAS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER DID NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Incident date: Jul 24, 2013
EXITING THE INTERSTATE,I ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN STEERING THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND TURNING THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS, TRIED IT AGAIN, STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Incident date: Jul 2, 2013
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 MINI COOPER FOR MY TEEN CHILD. WE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE ON. WE TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER TO HAVE THIS LOOKED, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT'S DUE TO A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1700. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS COULD ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2013
I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3K ON THE DOT. I CHECK IT REGULARLY. FULLY SYNTHETIC EVERY TIME. I WAS TOLD WHEN I BOUGHT MY MINI WITH 42K THAT THE RATTLE UNDER THE HOOD WAS NORMAL. AT APPROX. 50K I HEARD THE SAME METAL RATTLE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CHAIN SMACKING PLASTIC, SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECKED. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT THAT'S GOING TO COST UPWARDS OF $2,000. NOW I'M NOT ONE TO ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 20, 2013
I HAD TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE AIR BAG SENSORS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED LAST WEEK, BECAUSE I WILL HAVE A PASSENGER ON A TRIP TO UTAH SOON. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO ONE OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE, THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS RARELY USED, HE STARTED BLOVIATING AS TO HOW HEAT CAN BREAK DOWN THE MATERIALS IN THE SENSORS. *TR
Incident date: Jan 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE DSC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.... Read more
Incident date: Jan 29, 2013
2006 MINI COOPER S PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT (ABOVE REARVIEW MIRROR) IS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY (SEAT OCCUPIED OR NOT). LOCAL MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR PAD, WHICH IS WOVEN INTO THE SEAT BOTTOM, AND THE WHOLE SEAT BOTTOM MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1650. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT MINI USA WILL NOT HELP WITH THIS, AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS 100K MILES. ... Read more