Showing 6,381 complaints for MINI
Incident date: Aug 11, 2012
DEAR NHTSA, I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE 3WKS BACK, MY CAR IS FILLED WITH AFTERMARKET PRDT. MY CARS COMPUTER IS FAILED ALSO, WHICH WON'T ALERT OR RECORD ANY INCIDENT. I TRIED TALKING TO MINIUSA&CARMAX, THEY WONT LISTEN. I HAVE AN HEART CONDITION NOW COZ OF THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I DEVELOPED A LOW HIGH BP 80/103 & FAST HEARTBEAT, WHICH I AM TAKING MED. AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WROTE LETTERS&POSTED ON THE
... IR FACEBOOK PAGE NO RESPONSE. I NEED HELP! I USED TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF 2008 MINI COOPER! NOW MY CAR TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP! ITS NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE, SO FAR 3 TIMES CAR WAS TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD & FREEWAY, WHEN IT HAPPENED I APPLIED MY (ALL THREE TIMES) BREAK WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR, DIDN'T WORK, BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX WITH A WARRANTY (EXTENDED), ALSO THE CAR HAS 53,100 MILES ONLY! CALLED CARMAX BURBANK OFFICE NO RESPONSE, THEN CALLED CARMAX OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AFTER A GREAT DEAL GOT RESPONSE FROM A REP. NOW THE CAR IS WITH UNIVERSAL CITY MINI OF NOHO! CARS BREAK SYS. IS AN AFTER MARKET PROD. MY CAR COMPUTER/DASH DISPLAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SIGNAL COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, WHEN IT DOES, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT DISAPPEARS, WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO MINI DEALERSHIP, CAR KEY RECORDS ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CARS ENGINE AND INCIDENTS, WHEN THE REP. AT DEALERSHIP DOWNLOADED THE CAR KEY, HE COULDN'T FIND A SINGLE INCIDENT, THEN I SHOWED HIM THE PIC I TOOK.. HE WAS SURPRISED... " THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON" POORLY HANDLED BY CARMAX AND MINI. THIS CAR WILL KILL SOMEONE, IF YOU LET IT DRIVE. PLEASE SAVE MY LIFE AND OTHERS. LTRS WERE SENT TO CARMAX&MINI USA CEO'S TOM FOLLIARD CEO OF CARMAX,[XXX] AND [XXX]. NONE OF THEM, EVEN BOTHERED TO REPLY, RESPOND OR TRIED TO REACH OUT TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TRRead more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 11, 2012
DEAR NHTSA, I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE 3WKS BACK, MY CAR IS FILLED WITH AFTERMARKET PRDT. MY CARS COMPUTER IS FAILED ALSO, WHICH WON'T ALERT OR RECORD ANY INCIDENT. I TRIED TALKING TO MINIUSA&CARMAX, THEY WONT LISTEN. I HAVE AN HEART CONDITION NOW COZ OF THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I DEVELOPED A LOW HIGH BP 80/103 & FAST HEARTBEAT, WHICH I AM TAKING MED. AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WROTE LETTERS&POSTED ON THE
... IR FACEBOOK PAGE NO RESPONSE. I NEED HELP! I USED TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF 2008 MINI COOPER! NOW MY CAR TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP! ITS NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE, SO FAR 3 TIMES CAR WAS TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD & FREEWAY, WHEN IT HAPPENED I APPLIED MY (ALL THREE TIMES) BREAK WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR, DIDN'T WORK, BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX WITH A WARRANTY (EXTENDED), ALSO THE CAR HAS 53,100 MILES ONLY! CALLED CARMAX BURBANK OFFICE NO RESPONSE, THEN CALLED CARMAX OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AFTER A GREAT DEAL GOT RESPONSE FROM A REP. NOW THE CAR IS WITH UNIVERSAL CITY MINI OF NOHO! CARS BREAK SYS. IS AN AFTER MARKET PROD. MY CAR COMPUTER/DASH DISPLAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SIGNAL COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, WHEN IT DOES, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT DISAPPEARS, WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO MINI DEALERSHIP, CAR KEY RECORDS ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CARS ENGINE AND INCIDENTS, WHEN THE REP. AT DEALERSHIP DOWNLOADED THE CAR KEY, HE COULDN'T FIND A SINGLE INCIDENT, THEN I SHOWED HIM THE PIC I TOOK.. HE WAS SURPRISED... " THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON" POORLY HANDLED BY CARMAX AND MINI. THIS CAR WILL KILL SOMEONE, IF YOU LET IT DRIVE. PLEASE SAVE MY LIFE AND OTHERS. LTRS WERE SENT TO CARMAX&MINI USA CEO'S TOM FOLLIARD CEO OF CARMAX,[XXX] AND [XXX]. NONE OF THEM, EVEN BOTHERED TO REPLY, RESPOND OR TRIED TO REACH OUT TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TRRead more
1 injured
Incident date: Aug 11, 2012
DEAR NHTSA, I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE 3WKS BACK, MY CAR IS FILLED WITH AFTERMARKET PRDT. MY CARS COMPUTER IS FAILED ALSO, WHICH WON'T ALERT OR RECORD ANY INCIDENT. I TRIED TALKING TO MINIUSA&CARMAX, THEY WONT LISTEN. I HAVE AN HEART CONDITION NOW COZ OF THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I DEVELOPED A LOW HIGH BP 80/103 & FAST HEARTBEAT, WHICH I AM TAKING MED. AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WROTE LETTERS&POSTED ON THE
... IR FACEBOOK PAGE NO RESPONSE. I NEED HELP! I USED TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF 2008 MINI COOPER! NOW MY CAR TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP! ITS NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE, SO FAR 3 TIMES CAR WAS TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD & FREEWAY, WHEN IT HAPPENED I APPLIED MY (ALL THREE TIMES) BREAK WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR, DIDN'T WORK, BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX WITH A WARRANTY (EXTENDED), ALSO THE CAR HAS 53,100 MILES ONLY! CALLED CARMAX BURBANK OFFICE NO RESPONSE, THEN CALLED CARMAX OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AFTER A GREAT DEAL GOT RESPONSE FROM A REP. NOW THE CAR IS WITH UNIVERSAL CITY MINI OF NOHO! CARS BREAK SYS. IS AN AFTER MARKET PROD. MY CAR COMPUTER/DASH DISPLAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SIGNAL COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, WHEN IT DOES, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT DISAPPEARS, WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO MINI DEALERSHIP, CAR KEY RECORDS ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CARS ENGINE AND INCIDENTS, WHEN THE REP. AT DEALERSHIP DOWNLOADED THE CAR KEY, HE COULDN'T FIND A SINGLE INCIDENT, THEN I SHOWED HIM THE PIC I TOOK.. HE WAS SURPRISED... " THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON" POORLY HANDLED BY CARMAX AND MINI. THIS CAR WILL KILL SOMEONE, IF YOU LET IT DRIVE. PLEASE SAVE MY LIFE AND OTHERS. LTRS WERE SENT TO CARMAX&MINI USA CEO'S TOM FOLLIARD CEO OF CARMAX,[XXX] AND [XXX]. NONE OF THEM, EVEN BOTHERED TO REPLY, RESPOND OR TRIED TO REACH OUT TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TRRead more
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 12, 2012
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK GETTING OFF THE TURNPIKE TO TAKE MY EXIT RIGHT, MY 2003 MINI COOPER KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE AS I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL COMING OFF HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS NO WARNING AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU JUST CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL TO NEGOTIATE YOUR TURN. I'VE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IT IS IM
... POSSIBLE TO STEER THIS CAR. BMW MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DANGEROUS FAILURE AND DO THE RIGHT THING OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT AND/OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE. COST TO FIX THE STEERING PUMP FAILURE - $1200.00. *TRRead more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO MOVE OUT OF REVERSE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V201000 (POW
... ER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,200. ....UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF UPDATED 12/27/2012*JSRead more
Incident date: Oct 30, 2012
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND STOPPED ABRUPTLY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE OIL SUCTION PUMP. THE PUMP FAILED INTERNALLY AND DUE TO THE DESIGN THAT TIED IT DIRECTLY TO THE OVERHEAD CAM, IT CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT TO SEIZE, STRETCHED AND BROKE THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TIMING GEAR AND CHAIN TO THE CAMSHAFT, WHICH THE FELL INTO THE LOWER ENGINE AREA AND CAUSED FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. FO
... RTUNATELY, THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RELATIVELY SLOW TRAFFIC SITUATION AND THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE. DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS SUBSTANTIAL AND CONSISTENT WITH MULTIPLE OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW (IN MY OPINION AS AN ENGINEER) IN THAT THE SHEAR POINT BEING ON THE CAMSHAFT INSTEAD OF THE PUMP CAUSES INSTANTANEOUS ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH OR INJURY. IN ADDITION TO THIS FAILURE, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE OIL SYSTEM THAT MAY HAVE TRIGGERED THIS PUMP FAILURE. MINI HAD ALLEGEDLY PERFORMED SOME 'VALVE CLEANING' APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SUCH 'CLEANING' WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OPENED. I HAVE EXTENSIVE PHOTOS OF THIS ENGINE AS IT WAS DISASSEMBLED, SHOWING THE PUMP, BOLT AND OTHER PARTS AND WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THOSE. *TRRead more
Incident date: Nov 7, 2012
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. *TR
Incident date: Nov 7, 2012
LEFT HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING ISSUES. HALF WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND CURVE IN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NO WHERE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO THIS. LUCKILY I REACTED QUICKLY AND THE CURVE WAS NOT TOO SHARP BECAUSE I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE WITH CARS TO THE LEFT OF ME AND BEHIND ME. WOULD HAVE BEEN B
... AD NEWS HAD THE CURVE BEEN A LITTLE SHARPER. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. DROVE THE CAR AGAIN LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PERFECTLY AND THEN PART WAY TO MY DESTINATION THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2012
AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE IT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
Fire
Incident date: Nov 5, 2012
I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON AND IT MELTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE FOAM PADDING STARTED TO BURN. *TR
Incident date: Nov 5, 2012
I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON AND IT MELTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE FOAM PADDING STARTED TO BURN. *TR
Incident date: Nov 5, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Incident date: Jun 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS
... 88,000.Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2012
WAS DRIVING BACK FROM VACATION, AND UPON GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY WE HAD NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD FAILED, RESULTING IN THE TIMING CHAIN TO BE LOOSE AND DESTROY THE RAILS IT RODE ON. UPON LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE FURTHER, DISCOVERED THERE IS A TSB OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME P
... ROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL YET. *TRRead more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2012
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MANEUVER, AS IF THE POWER STEERING FEATURE HAD BEEN DISABLED. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD MAKING HANDLING OF THE CAR DIFFICULT, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST EVEN AFTER I EXITED THE FREEWAY. WHILE PERFORMING LEFT-TURNS AND
... RIGHT-TURNS ON THE SIDE STREETS, I HAD TO EXERT TREMENDOUS LABOR TO COMPLETE THE TURN, AND ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS I ALMOST HIT ADJACENT CARS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T FORCIBLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I TURNED OFF MY ENGINE, RE-STARTED IT, AND TO MY RELIEF AND AMAZEMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EASY TO MANEUVER AGAIN, WITHOUT A TRACE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT HAD JUST OCCURRED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2012
I JUST PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 MINI COOPER S 2MONTHS AGO... I JUST STARTED HAVING A COLD START ISSUE SINCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS HOT OUT AND NOW SINCE THE TEMP HAS DROPPED THE CAR HAS A CHATTER COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY COOPERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND MANY HAVE REPLACED TIMING CHAINS FOR ALMOST $2000 AND THE MANUFACTU
... RER ISN'T BRINGING A RECALL TO ATTENTION. I WORK IN A DEALERSHIP AS A SALES PERSON AND MANY MECHANICS ARE SAYING IS A TIMING ISSUE. I FEEL LOSS OF POWER AND NOW FEEL THE CAR CAN DIE AT ANY MOMENT. PLEASE MAKE MINI OPEN AND INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 20, 2011
2006 MINI CVT TRANSMISSION MADE A WEIRD NOISES AND STOPPED MOVING, JUST PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Incident date: Oct 18, 2010
RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS CLOCK SPRING FAILED COST 1300 TO REPAIR NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL AND THE CAR AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NOT REPAIRED. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED MY 2005 TRUCK FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR BMW / MINI PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU *TR
Incident date: Oct 29, 2012
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE THAT BECAME INCREASINGLY STRONGER. AFTER I ARRIVED HOME I BEGAN LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE GASOLINE SMELL. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT SUPPLIES FUEL TO THE INJECTOR RAIL WAS LEAKING. THE WAY THE HOSE WAS ROUTED ON THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, ALLOWED THE HOSE TO REST ON A RETAINING CLIP FOR ANOTHER HOSE. THE RETAINING CLIP HAD W
... ORN A GROOVE INTO THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE AND GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING ACROSS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 18, 2012
THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. AFTER DRIVING FURTHER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, POWER STEERING RETURNED. POWER STEERING NOW ACTS ERRATICALLY, OPERATING SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHERS. POWER STEERING PERIODICALLY DOES NOT OPERATE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 12, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP REMAINED IN CONTINUOUS OPERATED ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP
... WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH POSED A FIRE HAZARD. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DISCONNECTED. THERE WAS A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11005 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2012
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APP. 60 MPH, DOWNSHIFTED TO PASS AND EML LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER TO CAR WAS GREATLY REDUCED. FOUND OUT IT WAS A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT VIBRATION DAMPENER. NOTIFIED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ALSO. CONTACTED MINI OF USA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A MINI DEALER FOR ANY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE, B
... UT WAS NOT GUARANTEED THAT ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2012
WHILE TAKING A CORNING MY POWER STEER ABRUPTLY VANISHED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. VERY DANGEROUS. HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER MINIS AROUND THE SAME AGE. *TR
Incident date: Jun 20, 2011
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. CAR DID NOT HIT OR COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING WHEN POWER STEERING WAS LOST. FULL POWER STEERING AND FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. *TR
Incident date: Sep 21, 2012
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY; ENGINE ROUGH ON START UP; SOUNDS LIKE RATTLING CHAINS WHEN SHIFTING; MINI SAID OUR OIL WAS TOO LOW SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYING OUR TIMING CHAIN; TECH WAS AMAZED THAT THE CHAIN GUIDES WERE SHORN OFF AS WELL; MINI DOES NOT HAVE A CHECK OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE; WE CHANGE OUR OIL EVERY 5000 MILES EVEN THOUGH MINI RECOMMENDS EVERY 15000. SO, WE HAD
... TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES. COMPLAINED TO MINI CORPORATION AND PROCEEDED WITH CONFLICT RESOLUTION EXPERT. MINI DENIED OUR CLAIM BECAUSE OUR OIL WAS LOW AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. REPAIR COST $1,950.83 AND WE ARE STILL MAKING A CAR PAYMENT ON THIS NEWER VEHICLE. RESEARCHED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS TALKING WITH 3 ACQUAINTANCES WHO OWN A MINI. WE ARE FORTUNATE WE CAUGHT THIS ISSUE BEFORE WE HAD TO REPLACE OUR ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE, BMW/MINI FINDS OIL USAGE AT 1 QUART PER 1000 MILES AS ACCEPTABLE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY NEED TO INSTALL A CHECK OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND CHANGE THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FROM 15000 TO 3000 MILES. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. SUDDEN LOST OF POWER STEERING. DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE SECOND PUMP THAT WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THE FIRST PUMP STOP WORKING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. *TR
Incident date: Oct 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE
... MILEAGE WAS 96,000.Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2012
THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BACKED OUT DURING MORNING COMMUTE AND THE CAR LOST ITS OIL AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MINI SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A RECALL! *TR
Incident date: Oct 23, 2012
THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BACKED OUT DURING MORNING COMMUTE AND THE CAR LOST ITS OIL AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MINI SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A RECALL! *TR
Incident date: Sep 18, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2005 MINI HAD BEEN SLIPPING BUT WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO VARIOUS LOCAL SHOPPING PLAZAS APPLYING FOR JOBS. SHE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH BECAUSE THAT WAS THE MAXIMUM SPEED ONE COULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHIRRING SOUND AND SMOKE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND
... SAFELY PARKED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR HOME AND IT NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE WHILE WE CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT AND INSURE IT. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2012
TRAVELING WITH NO WARNING, THERMOMETER LIGHT CAME ON, TURNED YELLOW TO RED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, PULLED OVER AND CALLED DEALERSHIP, ADVISED THERE WAS RECALL ON WATER PUMP FOR OVERHEATING, HAD CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY; DEALERSHIP REPLACED RECALLED WATER PUMP (EXTERIOR), BUT PAID $600.00 FOR THERMOSTAT; LEFT DEALERSHIP AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 30 MINUTES,HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN; NOW CAR RAN HO
... T AGAIN, NO ANTIFREEZE IN CAR, REFILLED AND LIGHT WENT OFF, 1.5 DAYS LATER SAME OCCURRENCE BUT ENGINE SMOKING,VERY BADLY, TOWED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP, NOW STATES IT IS WATER PUMP #2 (INTERIOR) , AND TIMING CHANGE WHICH WAS ALREADY SUPPOSEDLY PERFORMED ON CAR, NOW STATING I MUST PAY FOR WATER PUMP, TENSIONER ON TIMING CHANGE, VALVE SENSOR, AND VALVE COVER GASKETS ANOTHER $1000.00, ALL OF WHICH PERTAIN TO THE SAME OCCURRENCES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I CALLED MINI COOPER CALL CENTER AND THEY ONLY REFER YOU BACK TO DEALERSHIP, STATING THEY HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME, THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL ITEMS. WOW I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM ONLY BELONGED TO A SAAB I PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND ELIMINATED FOR SAME REASONS.. ! *TRRead more
Fire
Incident date: Dec 4, 2010
12-4-10: THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEPT RUNNING AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF AND DRAINED THE BATTERY IN 2 HOURS. SEPT., 2012: TWO INCIDENTS OF POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME I HAD NO POWER STEERING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE, STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED. SECOND TIME I LOST POWER STEERING BRIEFLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. MY MECHANIC FOU
... ND THAT THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD SEIZED AND REPLACED IT. WHEN HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. HE REPLACED THE PUMP AS WELL AND THE PROBLEMS WERE CORRECTED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2010
12-4-10: THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEPT RUNNING AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF AND DRAINED THE BATTERY IN 2 HOURS. SEPT., 2012: TWO INCIDENTS OF POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME I HAD NO POWER STEERING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE, STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED. SECOND TIME I LOST POWER STEERING BRIEFLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. MY MECHANIC FOU
... ND THAT THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD SEIZED AND REPLACED IT. WHEN HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. HE REPLACED THE PUMP AS WELL AND THE PROBLEMS WERE CORRECTED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 16, 2012
POWER STEERING GOES OUT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN AND STEER. HAS HAPPENED 3X IN TWO DAYS. HAPPENED ONE TIME A YEAR OR MORE AGO AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THIS IS NOW NO FLUKE. WHEN I RESTART THE VEHICLE (SO FAR) IT HAS COME BACK, BUT I CANNOT RELIABLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE THIS WAY. CANADA ORDERED A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND MINI IS FIXING AND EXT
... ENDING THE WARRANTY TO 200,000KM. SEEMS ONLY FAIR THAT US DRIVERS GET THE SAME TREATMENT. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOT ONE WE CAN AFFORD TO LET GO UNSOLVED. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 12, 2012
I WAS TRAVELING ON NJ TURNPIKE AND MY VEHICLE BLEW UP. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. WATER PUMP ALSO BROKE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 11, 2012
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BACK FROM COLLEGE AND THE POWER ON THE STEERING WENT OUT ON HER. IT STARTED COMING BACK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT SLOWLY BACK HOME FROM THERE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 2, 2012
THIS ALL STARTED LATE 2009 OR EARLY 2010 WHEN I STARTED MY MINI AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL INSTEAD OF A GAS ENGINE, AFTER THE CAR RAN A FEW MINUTES THE RATTLING SOUND DISSIPATED. I CONTINUED TO HEAR THIS DAILY DURING COLD STARTS SO I CONTACTED A MINI DEALER WHO INSTRUCTED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE WORKS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET SO CONTINUE T
... O DRIVE IT SINCE IF OTHER THINGS FAIL IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE TENSIONERS WERE REPLACED AND EVERYTHING SOUNDED NORMAL AGAIN. THEN I RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING POSSIBLE FIRES IN THE WATER COOLER FOR TURBO? BEFORE I COULD GET THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 I NOTICED A VERY LOUD METALLIC RATTLE AND EXTREME LOSS OF POWER AT 2,000RPM COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ASSUMED IT WAS THE RECALL CAUSING THE ISSUE. I TOOK THE MINI IN FOR THE RECALL OCT 13, 2012 AND MENTIONED THE LOUD RATTLE NOISE-POWER ISSUE, AFTER HAVING MY CAR TWO DAYS THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THE TENSIONERS/TIMING CHAIN IS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS AND CREATING THE EXTREME NOISE AND POWER LOSS. DEALER IS REQUESTING $2500.00 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN/IS AN ISSUE WITH MINI CARS. I WRITING YOU BECAUSE THIS SITUATION WAS SCARY WHEN I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE IN FAST FLOWING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OR CROSSING TRAFFIC AND THE POWER WOULD CUT OUT AT 2,000RPM LEAVING ME SHORT SHIFTING AND STRUGGLING NOT TO CAUSE A WRECK. IT REALLY NEEDS INVESTIGATED SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND SAFETY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. UPON TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME - FOLLOWED BY INTERMITTENT FAILURES/NORMAL OPERATION. *TR
Incident date: Oct 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS NA 2012 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE GAS SETTING AND FUEL PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFA
... CTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,821.Read more
Incident date: Sep 16, 2012
MY POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER THE CARE IS TURNED OFF. IT COMPLETELY DRAINED MY BATTERY SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I LEARNED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN ARE DEFECTIVE. ALSO INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Incident date: Sep 16, 2012
MY POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER THE CARE IS TURNED OFF. IT COMPLETELY DRAINED MY BATTERY SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I LEARNED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN ARE DEFECTIVE. ALSO INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Incident date: Sep 16, 2012
MY POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER THE CARE IS TURNED OFF. IT COMPLETELY DRAINED MY BATTERY SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I LEARNED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN ARE DEFECTIVE. ALSO INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Incident date: Oct 14, 2012
HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES WAS GOING WEST ON A BUSY FOUR LANE CITY STREET, PREPARING TO TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE MINI INTO THE SIDE STREET AND CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR TURNING BESIDE ME. WAS ABLE TO PARK AND AN HOUR LATER TRIED TO DRIVE HOME, POWER STEERING WORKED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN QUITE AGAIN. DID
... NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS CLOSE SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO STEER THE CAR AT SLOW SPEEDS AND I AM 6'2 AND 205 POUNDS A WOMAN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT IN ALL PROBABILITY. *TRRead more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2012
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Incident date: Jul 11, 2012
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS SPORADICALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS WEAK AND PRONE TO FAILURE. MINI DOES NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AND CHARGES $1200-$2000 TO REPLACE THE PART LEADING MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF TO DRIVE THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION (LOW SPEED OR NON DEPLOYING AIRBAGS). *TR
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS WEAK AND PRONE TO FAILURE. MINI DOES NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AND CHARGES $1200-$2000 TO REPLACE THE PART LEADING MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF TO DRIVE THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION (LOW SPEED OR NON DEPLOYING AIRBAGS). *TR
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS WEAK AND PRONE TO FAILURE. MINI DOES NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AND CHARGES $1200-$2000 TO REPLACE THE PART LEADING MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF TO DRIVE THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION (LOW SPEED OR NON DEPLOYING AIRBAGS). *TR
Incident date: Aug 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS IF THERE WERE NO PASSENGER PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Incident date: Oct 6, 2012
THESE CARS COME WITH A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. MINI COOPER WON'T DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TO PAY 1500.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE I HAVE NO WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY AND SEEN THE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS TO VEHICLE OWNERS WITH LESS MILES. MINI NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THESE ARE PRICEY CARS BUT IF MINI HAS DONE A MALFUNCTIONS WHILE BUILDING THE CAR THEY
... SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND GET IT FIX. *TRRead more