Showing 6,381 complaints for MINI
Incident date: Aug 1, 2011
REPORTED BRAKE LIGHT ON TO MINI DEALER IN SACRAMENTO CA. SERVICE STATED THE BRAKES WERE OK, LIGHT JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET. LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON FIVE MORE TIMES. EACH TIME, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE CONSULTANTS RESET THE LIGHT. DECEMBER 2011 AT 37,000 MILES REPORTED BRAKE LIGHT ON AGAIN. DEALER CHECKED AND REPORTED THAT I NEEDED BRAKES, UNFORTUNAT
... ELY, NO LONGER COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT I HAD REPORTED THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, STARTING WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, SERVICE MANAGER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE, PLACING BLAME ON BMW'S POLICY AND ADDING THAT DEALERS ARE LOOSING MONEY BECAUSE BMW WON'T COVER WARRANTY REPAIR. I WORKED MY UP THROUGH THE DEALER MANAGEMENT, AND FINALLY A MANGER AGREED TO PICK UP THE COST OF THE NEW BRAKES, ALBEIT, QUITE RUDELY, EVEN RAISING HIS VOICE STATING, "WILL THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY NOW?" THIS WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I UNKNOWINGLY DROVE THE CAR FOR THREE MONTHS AND APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES NEEDING BRAKES. DEALER CLEARLY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE BRAKES. *JSRead more
Incident date: Nov 11, 2011
CAR RATTLING AND SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL FOR OVER A YEAR. DEALER SERVICE ADVISED TO CHECK OIL AND BE SURE OIL LEVEL WAS PROPER. NOVEMBER 2011, ALL OIL LEAKED OUT OF CAR ONTO GARAGE FLOOR. CAR TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE. THEY EXPLAINED OIL LEAKED BECAUSE A "PLUG" HAD COME LOOSE. DEALER REPLACED SEALING RING AND ADJUSTED THE CHAIN. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ENGINE AND REQUESTED A DIAGNOSTIC
... BE DONE. SERVICE MANAGER REPLIED THE CAR WAS ALREADY PUT TOGETHER AND I WOULD NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. CAR CONTINUED TO RATTLE LOUDLY. MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT DECEMBER 2011 AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE AND FINDING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TENSOR CHAIN. I INFORMED DEALER THAT I EXPECTED THE CHAIN TO BE REPLACED AND A COMPLETE ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC. DEALER REPLACED TENSOR CHAIN. CAR CONTINUES TO RATTLE INTERMITTENTLY. OIL IS CHECKED TWICE PER WEEK AND KEPT AT PROPER LEVEL. *JSRead more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2011
GROWLING- RUBBING NOISE AUDIBLE AT LOW SPEEDS. AIR CONDITIONING HOSE HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS "BURNING" ON OTHER ENGINE PARTS. DEALER SERVICE STATED THIS WAS A VERY UNUSUAL CASE. CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR TENSOR CHAIN REPLACEMENT FIVE DAYS EARLIER. *JS
Incident date: Apr 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND LOST THE POWER STEERING. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I GOT HOME PARKED THE CAR AND LET IT GO. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS FINE. HOWEVER, THIS MORNING, 6/8/2012, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY FOR ME THERE WEREN'T MANY CARS ON THE ROAD, AS IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN EVEN A SEMI-BUSY INTERSECTION, I WOULD
... HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE. *JSRead more
Incident date: May 22, 2012
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM MAKING SOME ERRANDS, WENT TO TURN LEFT AND I THOUGHT THE CAR HAD CUT OFF OR SOMETHING. BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WANT TO TURN RIGHT, BUT TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS RUNNING. SO I MANAGE TO TURN IT BEFORE I HIT THE CURB. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. I LET THE CAR COOL A LITTLE AND GOT BACK IN IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING A
... GAIN. COME TO FIND OUT THE POWER STEERING WORKS FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND GOES OUT, UNTIL IT COOLS OFF. I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I MEAN DANGEROUS. I CALLED MY MINI DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T. BUT I DID SEE THEY HAD A MINI DEALER NOTICE FOR THEM TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT FIX FOR FREE. SO WE NEED A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED. THANK YOU, [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Read more
Incident date: Jun 2, 2012
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH ATLANTIC CITY, AND WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ON MY MINICOOPER FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RIGID AND NEEDED TO BE FORCIBLY TURNED USING A GREAT DEAL OF STRENGTH. I ALMOST RAN INTO A FENCE SURROUNDING A PARKING LOT, BUT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES, WRESTLE WITH THE WHEEL , AND EDGE INTO THE PARKING LOT. *JS
Incident date: Feb 22, 2012
I WAS TURNING THE CORNER TO PULL INTO MY STREET AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I BARELY MANAGED TO TURN THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THEN TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I WENT TO TRY IT AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER, I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Incident date: Jun 1, 2011
EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. OCCURRED MOSTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR ON HOT DAYS. THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEED WITH NO POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY CAME AND WENT. EVENTUALLY, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD REMAIN ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AN
... D FAN IN MAY 2012 AT ABOUT 130,000 MILES AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES SINCE. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jun 3, 2012
AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER ERRATICALLY ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED SEVERAL TIMES. I RESPONDED BY SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, I TURNED THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY. ONCE OUT OF THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE AND NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE AFT PORTION OF THE EN
... GINE COMPARTMENT. I WENT BACK TO THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CONFIRM IT WAS OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN AND AS I WENT BACK TO THE OPEN HOOD THE SMOKE VOLUME HAD INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. THE SMOKE HAD A VERY CLEAR ELECTRICAL SMELL AND COLOR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TRYING TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. WHILE OBTAINING TOOLS FROM THE HATCH OF THE CAR, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY ERUPTED IN FLAMES. I OBTAINED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DIRECTED IT AT THE AFT PORTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS PRODUCED NO RESULTS AND THE FLAMES RETURNED QUICKLY. I THEN GOT THE TOOLS FROM THE HATCH OF THE CAR AND CUT THE BATTERY CABLES. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO SUBSIDE IMMEDIATELY. AT THE REPAIR FACILITY THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY (ELECTRIC) WAS REMOVED AND DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FACT THAT I HAD TOOLS AND 25 YEARS MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE PREVENTED THIS CAR FROM BURNING TO THE GROUND. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ON TWO LEVELS. FIRST: LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SECOND: FIRE HAZARD, ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND THE MANUFACTURE DIRECTED TO APPLY A FIX TO ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TRRead more
Fire
Incident date: May 23, 2012
MY POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS FINE AND WHEN I LEFT WORK IT WAS BACK ON. IT IS CONTINUING TO STOP AND START WORKING AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING WHICH MAKES STEERING HARD WHEN IT GOES OUT. *TR
Incident date: May 26, 2012
I PURCHASED A USED MINI COOPER S SIX MONTHS AGO, IN DECEMBER 2011. I DROVE MY VEHICLE AS I NORMALLY DUE, JUST ACROSS TOWN ABOUT 10 MILES, AND IT WAS FINE. I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT, ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER, AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS NON-EXISTENT. I PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A
... FEW MORE MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT. IF THE CAR IS HOT, IT USUALLY DOES NOT WORK, BUT IF THE CAR IS GIVEN A CHANCE TO COOL DOWN, THEN IT SEEMS TO WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 18, 2012
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME STIFF. I WAS DRIVING UP A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE SURE I COULD NAVIGATE THE TURNS. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 8-10 TIMES SINCE - SOMETIMES WITH A COMPLETELY COLD CAR, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 25-3
... 0 MILES, TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN. IF, WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, THE POWER STEERING ISN'T WORKING, I TURN THE CAR OFF, LET IT SIT FOR 10 SECONDS OR SO AND RESTART IT. THIS PROCESS FAILED ONCE, BUT AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE POWER STEERING FAILING WHILE DRIVING SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. HOWEVER, MY PARTNER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM TWICE WHILE DRIVING. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DENVER, CO REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND HE DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ANY PROBLEMS OR INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 16, 2012
UPON STARTING MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF A WORK DAY, AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2007 MINI COOPER INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG (CODE 93A8 STAGE 1). HE RESET THE LIGHT AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. HE CHECKED THE CODE AGAIN AND IT WAS THE SAME. AS A RESULT, HE CONTACTE
... D THE NEAREST MINI SERVICE CENTER. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG CONNECTION, MINI CHARGES ABOUT $600 TO REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED, NO HARD STOPS, NOTHING TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAG. UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 30, 2012
I WAS DRIVING TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE APPROX. 20 MILES AWAY. ON A TURN, THE CAR STEERING WAS ALMOST NON RESPONSIVE. I MANAGED THE TURN AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. I HAD TO STOP AND START MY CAR A FEW MORE TIMES TO GET TO MY DESTINATION. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED CLOSER TO MY DESTINATION THEN MY HOME SO IT WAS SAFER TO GO THERE. IT
... EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY ON THAT FIRST TURN OFF OF A 65 MPH ROAD. I'M NOT THAT STRONG. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD NOT TO GO IN THE DITCH. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS COMING. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TODAY. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THERE WAS NO LEAD UP TO THIS INCIDENT. I HAD POWER STEERING AND IN A SECOND, I DIDN'T. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2008
ONE MONTH AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 14 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD OF FOUR REPLACEM
... ENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2008
ONE MONTH AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 14 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD OF FOUR REPLACEM
... ENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Oct 14, 2008
ONE MONTH AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 14 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD OF FOUR REPLACEM
... ENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WHILE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Incident date: Jun 9, 2009
EIGHT MONTHS AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 22 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT
... OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR! THEY ALSO REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BECAUSE OF THE LOUD NOISE IT WAS MAKING ON STARTUP. AND THE INLET CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2009
EIGHT MONTHS AFTER MINI OF CONCORD REPLACED MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOR THE GASOLINE LEAK AND STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN, AGAIN THE GAS SMELL STARTED UP IN THE CABIN (FOR ALL TRIPS). I TOOK IT BACK TO MINI OF CONCORD (THIS IS 22 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR), AND THEY AGAIN FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT
... OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR! THEY ALSO REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BECAUSE OF THE LOUD NOISE IT WAS MAKING ON STARTUP. AND THE INLET CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2008
IN EARLY JANUARY 2008, 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, AND I WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A RISK OF FIRE. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SIT, AND RESTARTED IT, BUT THE SMELL RESUMED. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF SF, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF FOUR REPLACE
... MENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2008
IN EARLY JANUARY 2008, 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, AND I WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A RISK OF FIRE. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SIT, AND RESTARTED IT, BUT THE SMELL RESUMED. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF SF, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF FOUR REPLACE
... MENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR. *TRRead more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2008
IN AUGUST OF 2008, 12 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT FOR A 2ND TIME IN 1 YEAR, STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF CONCORD, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - FOR A 2ND TIME. THIS WAS THE SECOND OF FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN MY CAR. *TR
Incident date: Sep 10, 2008
IN AUGUST OF 2008, 12 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, IT FOR A 2ND TIME IN 1 YEAR, STARTED TO SMELL STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MINI OF CONCORD, AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND LINE, AND REPLACED THE PARTS - FOR A 2ND TIME. THIS WAS THE SECOND OF FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN MY CAR. *TR
Incident date: May 29, 2012
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. THE STEERING IS DIFFICULT AND JERKY. *TR
Incident date: May 26, 2012
PARKED CAR ON CITY STREET AND TURNED OFF CAR. HEARD HIGH-PITCHED NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS STILL RUNNING. TURNED CAR ON AND BACK OFF AGAIN. STILL HEARD NOISE. SAW GRAY, ACRID SMOKE BILLOWING FROM BENEATH HOOD. CAR STARTED BUT POWER STEERING WAS OUT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. HIGH-PITCHED NOISE WAS POWER STEERING PUMP FAN WHICH DIDN'T TURN OFF WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHICH BURNT OUT THE POWER STEERIN
... G PUMP, WIRES, HARNESS AND OTHER RELATED PARTS. $2000 REPAIR MADE AT MINI/BMW DEALER IN SAN FRANCISCO. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 23, 2012
I JUST BOUGHT A MINI COOPER S WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I NOW SEE WHERE ERROR CODE P0012 IS AFFECTED BY SERVICE BULLETIN SIM-11-02-07 AND PUMA MEASURE 10686850-13. THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE PROCESS AFFECTING THE OIL CONDITION IS THE START OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND YIELDING SOME ISSUES WITH THE VANOS UNIT AND THE TIMING CHAIN, I AM AT A LOSS. NOW THIS IS MY PROBLEM, AND I
... T IS ALL THE FAULT OF MINI. I AM WONDERING WHAT TO DO?? *TRRead more
Incident date: May 26, 2012
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT (I.E. HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR). THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND AFTER RESTART GOES AWAY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2012 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM IN CANADA. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, PLEASE RECTIFY IT. *TR
Incident date: Apr 16, 2012
THE TURBO CHARGER HAS TOTALLY FAILED (CAR IS UNDER HALF POWER) AND THE TOP GUIDE ON THE TIMING CHAIR (TENSIONER SYSTEM) IS BROKEN. I HAVE DONE THE PROPER MAINTENANCE WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE. THE TURBO IS COOLED BY THE KNOWN FAILED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP WITH INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BOARD AND IS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL. MINI/BMW IS REFUSING TO COVER THESE FAILURES CLEARLY CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS AND DES
... IGN (OIL LINE LEADING TO TURBO GETS GUMMED UP BECAUSE IT IS TOO SMALL). THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE ME OVER $5200 TO REPAIR THE CAR (20% OF THE VEHICLE COST IN 2008) FOR WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. MY CAR IS NOT OPERATIONAL AND HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL FOR OVER 2 WEEKS WHILE I CONTINUE TO 'FIGHT' BMW'S DETERMINATION NOT TO COVER THESE PROBLEMS. READING COUNTLESS BLOGS WITH OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM(S) I BELIEVE BMW IS INTENTIONALLY SELLING A PRODUCT IT KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE AND COLLECTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS. NO CAR SHOULD EXPERIENCE A TOTAL FAILURE OF A TURBO AND BROKEN TIMING CHAIN IN 60K MILES. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND NHTSA SHOULD PROTECT US CONSUMERS FROM THIS FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY BY ISSUING A RECALL - SOONER THAN LATER. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 21, 2012
POWER STEERING IS OF GREAT CONCERN AS IT HAS PERIODS WHERE IT SEEMS THAT THE POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING. ALSO WHEN ADJUSTING THE DIRECTION AS I AM BACKING UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY STEERING IS SORT OF LAZY AND IT MAKE A HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT
Incident date: Apr 28, 2012
LOST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SHORT CIRCUIT OR FIRE MELTED POWER STEERING PUMP WIRING HARNESS. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO OTHER PORTIONS OF ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS BY FIRE, RESULTING IN BLOWN FUSES. UPON REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AT ROADSIDE, ENGINE KEPT RUNNING UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. *TT
Fire
Incident date: Apr 28, 2012
LOST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SHORT CIRCUIT OR FIRE MELTED POWER STEERING PUMP WIRING HARNESS. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO OTHER PORTIONS OF ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS BY FIRE, RESULTING IN BLOWN FUSES. UPON REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AT ROADSIDE, ENGINE KEPT RUNNING UNTIL BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. *TT
Fire
Incident date: May 1, 2012
SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN 2009 I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THAT IT HAS A FAILURE. BMW NO RESPONSE FOR THIS ITS A PUMP THAT ITS NOT DESIGN CORRECTLY. LOST OF MINIS HAS THIS PROBLEMS. HARD TO STEER AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH. *TT
Incident date: Apr 19, 2012
WHILE DRIVING STEERING BECAME STIFF. ALMOST UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL WHEN I SLOWED TO PARK. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON, PROBLEM RESOLVED. STILL HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY USUALLY WHILE SLOWING OR DOWNSHIFTING. ALWAYS RESOLVES AFTER RESTARTING CAR. *TT
Incident date: Feb 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REGAINED POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Incident date: Jun 23, 2010
MINI ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS IN 2009. SERVICE BULLETINS SIM-11-02-07 AND PUMA MEASURE NUMBER 10686850-13. THE BULLETIN STATES THAT WHEN A CUSTOMER COMES IN WITH A TENSIONER PROBLEM THAT ALL CARS AFFECTED WILL RECEIVE A NEW TIMING CHAIN, CHAIN GUIDES, CAM SPROCKETS AND VANOS UNIT. ON 6/23/10 MY VEHICLE REQUIRED THIS REPAIR. BECAUSE I WASN'T AWARE OF THE SERVI
... CE BULLETINS THE MINI DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED MY VEHICLES TENSIONER WITHOUT REPLACING THE OTHER PARTS...THE TENSIONER IS AN EASY REPLACE AND THE ACTUAL TIMING CHAIN IS A 9.9 HOUR JOB SO I'M ASSUMING THEY TOOK THE EASY ROUTE WITH LESS ACCUMULATING LABOR. NOW WE'RE 23 MONTHS INTO THAT REPAIR AND THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS GONE BAD...AGAIN. THIS TIME THE TENSIONER GOING OUT ALSO CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL ALONG WITH THE CHAIN GUIDES. MINI WILL REPLACE THE TENSIONER AGAIN, WHICH IS A 26 DOLLAR PART, BECAUSE IT IS WITHIN THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY...BUT BECAUSE THE MINI DEALER THAT LAST REPLACED THE TENSIONER DID NOT FOLLOW THE BULLETINS ISSUED AND REPLACE THE OTHER PIECES INVOLVED IN THE BULLETIN, THEY SAY I'M RESPONSIBLE. MINI NOW WANTS TO CHARGE ME 1967 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND CHAIN GUIDES BECAUSE IT SAYS THE OTHER PARTS ARE NOT COVERED. THE CAR HAS 50,062 MILES (WARRANTY IS TO 50K). THERE ARE WELL OVER 200 ENTRIES THAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A PETITION WITH OVER 650 SIGNATURES. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE? *TTRead more
Incident date: May 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Incident date: May 18, 2012
THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. I AM A 280 POUND MAN AND I CAN BARELY TURN . ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES IT FEELS HARDER TO TURN, ONCE AGAIN LIKE POWER STEERING NOT WORKING. *TR
Incident date: Aug 28, 2010
INITIALLY WE WERE PARKED WITH A LARGE ADULT WHO WEIGHS ~200LBS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SHIFTING AROUND AND UNBUCKLING-REBUCKLING SEATBELT CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF FOR A BIT. WE BEGAN TO DRIVE ANYWAY, THE TERRAIN WAS MOUNTAINOUS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. THAT NIGHT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS AND MONTHS, IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLE
... M, SOMETIMES UPON GETTING SEATED AND STARTING TO DRIVE, OTHER TIMES ONCE WE WERE IN MOTION, VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES RESOLVED BY SHIFTING HIS WEIGHT OR FUSSING WITH THE SEATBELT TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF, BUT FOR THE PAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TRRead more
Incident date: May 16, 2012
TIMING BELT FAILURE DUE TO RESTRICTOR BELT DEFECT. *TR
Incident date: May 16, 2012
TIMING BELT FAILURE DUE TO RESTRICTOR BELT DEFECT. *TR
Incident date: May 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE
... .Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI
... LURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2009
THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY IN 2009. THE SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN 2011. THE DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE AND THE PART WERE PAST THE WARRENTY PERIOD. THEY WANTED OVER $1000 TO FIX IT. I CONVEYED TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS SENSOR AND APPARENTLY THEY HAVE NOT CORR
... ECTED IT YET, SO WHY WOULD I PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED BY A PART THAT WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW/MINI ARE IGNORING!Read more
Incident date: May 14, 2012
EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL!
Crash
Incident date: May 14, 2012
EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL!
Crash
Incident date: May 14, 2012
EXECUTING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS ISSUE. DAMAGE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR AGAINST CURB. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON A RECALL!
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2012
I STARTED THE CAR COLD BEFORE HEADING OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, ALTHOUGH NOT WITH THE FULL ASSIST. SINCE THIS TIME, EVERY TIME I START UP THE CAR, I HAVE A VARYING DEGREE OF ASSIST FOR THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES OF DRIVING IT. *JS
Incident date: May 10, 2012
LAST THURSDAY MAY 10, 2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I LOST THE STEERING POWER FUNCTION; THE STEERING WHEEL GOT TOTALLY RIGID AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE; WITH A HUGE EFFORT AND VERY CAREFULLY, I COULD ARRIVE AT HOME. I AM LUCKY THAT I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. AFTER SWITCHING OFF AND ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING FINE AGAIN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEE
... N INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN; WE ARE DEALING WITH MINI COOPER AND ITS AUTHORIZED DEALER RIGHT NOW TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED BUT SO FAR THE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZING. I RESEARCHED IN INTERNET AND I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THE MINI COOPER MODELS BETWEEN 2002-2007; I CONTACTED MINI COOPER AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER THIS MORNING BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ASSIST US WITH THIS LIFE- THREATENING ISSUE; THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN AWFUL HERE AND UNCONSIDERED. *JSRead more
Incident date: May 15, 2012
I DROVE MY 2003 MINI COOPER S TO MY LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RENEW MY DRIVER'S LICENSE. NOTHING ABNORMAL OCCURRED ON THE TRIP TO THE DMV. WHEN I GOT IN AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. LATER THAT EVENING, I STARTED THE CAR WHEN IT WAS COOL AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. THE RADIATOR FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN DO NOT FUNCTION UPON DOI
... NG RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EXTREMELY OFTEN IN 2002-2007 MINIS. I ALSO FOUND, POSTED ON A MINI FORUM BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE AN ENGINEER, A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. CARBON DUST FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP GETS INTO THE CONTROL UNIT ATTACHED TO IT. SINCE THE CHIP WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED WITH A LACQUER, IT CAUSEES A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CHIP. THIS CAUSES THE PUMP TO FAIL. ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE IS THE FAILURE OF THE COOLING FAN FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAN CAN SEIZE, STOP COOLING THE PUMP, AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL OVERHEAT. THIS ALSO TRIPS A FUSE THAT STOPS THE RADIATOR FAN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CAN ALSO OVERHEAT. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING. SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND THE HAS BEEN THE ONLY WARM DAY I HAVE DRIVEN IT, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT. I PLAN TO AVOID THE $1000 CHARGE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY REPAIRING IT MYSELF BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT THIS FORTUNATE. I BELIEVE THIS DESIGN FLAW CAN AND WILL CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS TO OCCUR. IF MY MOTHER, SISTER, OR GIRLFRIEND HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT FAILED, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER RESULTING IN A SERIOUS CRASH. WHILE PERUSING VARIOUS MINI FORUMS, I HAVE READ STORIES OF SEVERAL SERIOUS CRASHES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON ALL 2002-2007 MINI COOPERS SO THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT HARM SOMEONE.Read more