2009 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I am writing to formally request reimbursement for a timing chain replacement performed on my vehicle, which was the subject of a specific safety recall issued by BMW. The timing chain defect in this vehicle represents a severe safety hazard, as a failure can cause an immediate and total engine stall while the vehicle is in motion. This loss of power in traffic creates an 100% avoidable risk of collision. Despite BMW recognizing this defect through a prior reimbursement program, they are refusing to compensate for a safety-critical repair on a low-mileage vehicle (58,XXX miles) simply based on the car's age. At the time of repair, the vehicle had approximately 58,XXX miles. Although the vehicle is older, it was in storage for several years because the previous owner was unaware of the recall and lacked the financial means to address it. Despite the period of storage, the car remained in excellent condition, with the timing chain being the only mechanical requirement at the time. The repair was completed by a local independent shop and paid for out-of-pocket. While BMW has recently honored a different recall for an electronics panel on this same VIN, my request for timing chain reimbursement was denied based on the vehicle's age. I believe this denial is inconsistent, as the safety defect identified in the recall existed regardless of the car's age or storage history. I am seeking compensation for the parts and labor costs associated with this safety-critical repair

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contacted became aware of a failure with the electrical system. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to display as needed, and the turn signals failed to function properly. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to turn off, causing the battery to become drained. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact stated that the footwell area was very warm to the touch. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the contact stated that there was a leak on the passenger’s side which caused a short circuit of the fuse box located in the passenger side foot well. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Copper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the footwell control module needed to be replaced. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE RESULTS IN THE AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE BEING DISABLED WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION/DRIVING REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT (AN ADULT WILL BE SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISABLED AS THE CAR IS DRIVEN AROUND). THE LACK OF AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY SENSOR IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK THAT WILL LIKELY RESULT IN THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM MINI HAD ON OTHER MODELS OF ITS CARS WHICH RESULTED IN A RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S SON HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BMW OF HUDSON VALLEY (2068 SOUTH RD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY 50% TOWARDS THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

DRIVING CAR TO WORK AND DIED AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AN 4 WAY INTERSECTION, CAR WAS IN MOTION WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES AROUND ME. I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND OFF THE ROAD. TRIED TO START WITH NO SUCCESS. CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL SO SUSPECTED IT TO BE EMPTY. CALLED INSURANCE TO SEND SOMEONE WITH GAS BUT STILL WOULDN'T START. GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME AND INVESTIGATED FAULT. FOUND THE CHAIN TENSIONER TO HAVE FAILED CAUSING TIMING OF ENGINE TO CHANGE AND CAUSE PISTON TO HIT VALVES AND BREAK THE ROCKER ARMS.

2009 CLUBMAN MINI COOP FUEL PUMP KEEPS TRYING TO DIE WHEN DRIVING.THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT DIE ON ME TRYING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON L45. THEN WHEN I GET THERE THEY TELL ME IT'S OLDER THEN 10 YEARS.ITS STILL 10 YEARS OLD. NOW IT WON'T EVEN IDOL RIGHT WHEN I START IT UNLESS I MESS WITH GAS PEDAL AND GIVE IT MORE GAS. I HAVE A EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER THAT SAY 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MINI COOP FOR WEEKS. I'VE TALK TO ABOUT 7 DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT TELL ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME I CALL THEM. THEY JUST WON'T HONOR THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY JUST DON'T CARE.

THE PASSENGERS SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR IN MY 2009 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND IT WON'T ALLOW ANY AIRBAG TO ACTIVATE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH NO WORKING AIRBAGS. IT STARTED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE ON 8/14 AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER.

PASSENGER AIRBAG/SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS AND TONES ARE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYING PROBLEM IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE PASSENGER SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR AND RESOLUTION IS A COSTLY DEALER FIX WITH PARTS PRESENTLY BACKORDERED.

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A MINI COOPER CLUBMAN S 2009. IT HAD ABOUT 50K MILES WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS CAR. NEW TO THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE, I DID NOT PUT MUCH ATTENTION TO THE NOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CAME ACROSS A COMMENT AT THE MINI FORUMS WHERE SOMEONE STATED THAT THIS CARS HAD A COMMON DIESEL SOUND. IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR, I HAVE DONE A FEW REPAIRS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD THE SOUND HAVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. "THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE ENGINE." " THAT SOUND IS NOT NORMAL." YOU GOT TO TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A SPECIALIST CHECK WHAT'S WRONG IN THERE." I DID NOT TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THESE CARS. I WOULD TELL THEM THAT IT WAS A NORMAL DIESEL SOUND. SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY I RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT A RECALL LETTER BUT INSTEAD IS A "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT CLAIM FORM." I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR. IF I SPEND OVER $1K TO GET IT FIXED, I MAY GET REFUNDED. CHANCES ARE THAT I WON'T. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WILL CHECKING THE CAR FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE. SINCE IT ISN'T A RECALL YET, I DOUBT THE DEALER PEOPLE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COST. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS BUT I AM REALLY UNHAPPY ABOUT ALL THIS. FIRST, VALVE COVER. THEN, FUEL FEED LINE, AFTER THAT, VACUUM PUMP, THEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. RIGHT NOW, TENSIONER CHAIN ALONG WITH VANOS SOLENOID. I WISH I HAD NOT SOLD MY TOYOTA MINI TRUCK I HAD BACK IN THE 80'S. NOT MUCH TECHNOLOGY. WHICH WAS OK. JUST ADD GAS, DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND GOOD TO GO WITH NO WORRIES OF SENSOR, CODES HERE AND CODES THERE. NO RECALLS EITHER. MAKE THIS MINI CHAIN TENSIONER A RECALL AND HAVE BMV RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THEIR BAD ENGINEERING. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY?

IN ONLY 8 MONTHS OF OWNING MY MINI: RATTLING AT A COLD START AND DURING SLOW DRIVING, THEN BEGAN MAKING A HESITATING, JERK TYPE MOVEMENT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THEN BEGAN MAKING A LOUDER NOISE. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS EVER CAME ON AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION OF ANY TYPE OF LEAK (NO LIGHTS, NO FLUID ON THE GROUND, ALL FLUID CHECKS INDICATED PROPER LEVELS). NO MAINTENANCE WAS DUE. 41,817 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT, I PUT UNDER 4,000 MILES ON IT SINCE, ONLY DRIVE 20 MINUTES DAILY TO WORK AND BACK. TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE AND GUIDES, PARTS FELL INTO OIL PAN AND OIL LEAKING. COST ME OUT OF POCKET $3,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I BOUGHT FROM 'WARRANTY SOLUTIONS' REFUSED TO PAY, CLAIMING IT WAS NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART. 'WARRANTY SOLUTIONS' IS A SCAM TOO, BUT THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER COMPLAINT BY ITSELF. THE TURBO HEAT SHEILD WAS ALSO MISSING ON MY CAR. MINI DEALERSHIP IS HORRIBLE, SO BACKED UP, WAITED A WEEK JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEN WOULD HAVE HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR REPAIRS. HAD REPAIRS DONE IN 2 DAYS AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. A CALL TO MINI FINDS THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER MINI OWNERS. MINI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, YET THEY ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS. WE ALL NEED TO BE REIMBURSED.

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, SUDDENLY VEHICLE BEGAN RUMBLING. IMMEDIATELY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE MOTOR KEPT RUNNING BUT WITH A CONTINUOUS RUMBLING AND ACCELERATOR WAS COMPLETELY INACTIVE. CAR WILL START BUT NO POWER OUTPUT, PRESSING ON THE GAS IS FUTILE.

CAR HAD A RATTLLE WHEN COLD. HAD AN APPT. TO HAVE IT CHECKED ON 5/19. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND CAR JUST DIED. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. DANGEROUS SITUATION. TIMING BELT BROKE. TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $6,000. HAVE SINCE READ OF MANY IDENTICAL PROBLEMS DESPITE A GOOD MAINTENANCE RECORD. SO FAR, MINI HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED KNOWING THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE DESPITE THE FACT IT HAS OCCURRED IN CARS ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASED NEW.

TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE, BURNING SMELL, AND RATTLING SOUND WHEN ENGINE COLD. I WAS GIVEN A LIST AFTER THEY HAD A FEW DAYS OF: MATERIAL FAILURE OF OIL PAN GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING LEAK, TURBO OIL FEED LINE LEAK, MATERIAL FAILURE OF THERMOSTAT HOUSING, MATERIAL FAILURE OF WATER PUMP, AND MATERIAL FAILURE OF TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, TENSIONER. I ENDED WITH A TOTAL REPAIR COST OF $4,666.30. TWO WEEKS LATER I AGAIN HAVE A BURNING SMELL AND THE TRIM COVERING THE TURBO CHARGER CRACKS. I AM TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND IT IS JUST OUT OF THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THIS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED COSMETIC WARRANTY. IN DECEMBER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT GOES OFF AFTER I CALL DEALER. I AM TOLD IF IT IS OFF, MAY JUST BE EMMISIONS ERROR. ON 2/20/2015, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT GOES ON, DEALER HAS NO OPENINGS UNTIL 2/23/15. I TAKE IN AND NOW IT HAS MORE ISSUES, STEMS AND VALVES, WHICH WILL BE ANOTHER $2K IN REPAIRS. IT IS STILL NOT DUE FOR OIL CHANGE BUT I HAD REQUESTED ONE SINCE I WAS THERE. IT IS LOW ON OIL DUE TO VALVE AND THE ENGINE ISSUE. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE IDENTICAL TO A THOSE VEHICLES WITH THE TENSIONER,WATER PUMP, TURBO FEED LINE RECALL.....BUT YET I AM TOLD MINE DOES NOT HAVE THE RECALL ON IT. *JS

SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM HOOD VENTS, INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE TURBO HEAT SHIELD FROM THE OIL TUBE FEEDING THE TURBO WHERE IT WAS CRIMPED TOGETHER. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND CONTINUED, WHEN THE ENGINE COOLED I FOUND THAT I COULD REMOVE THE OIL LINE FROM THE FITTING JUST BY TOUCHING IT. I AM SURPRISED THIS THING DIDN'T GO UP IN FLAMES! WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MINI DEALER THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE OIL TUBING LEAK UNLESS I ALSO COMMITTED TO A NEW HEAD COVER AT 2K. MINI DENIES ANY ISSUES WITH THE DESIGN OR FITTINGS. *TR

TURBO OIL LINE LEAK, DEALER WANTS $3300 TO REPAIR. *TR

THIS HAPPENED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HIT A POTHOLE. I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS POINTED AT THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THAT THE HOLE ASSEMBLY INSIDE HAD BEEN DISENGAGED AND IS POINTED DOWN. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST IT AND SINCE I WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTEE I DECIDED TO OPEN THE UNIT. I FOUND THAT THE SMALL PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM FALLING PULLED APART. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS MUST BE TESTED AND THEREFORE I MUST HAVE A DEFECTIVE UNIT. I CONTACTED MINI WHO SENT ME TO THE DEALER AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I HAVE NO RESOLUTION. IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE I THINK THERE MUST BE OTHER UNITS THAT HAVE FAILED THIS WAY. IS THIS CAUSE FOR A RECALL? *TR

TURBO OIL FEED LINE LEAKING ONTO ENGINE/MANIFOLD. POSSIBLY COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. *TR

THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED AS A NOISE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE IN THE COLD. THIS "RATTLE" NOISE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE ENGINE GOT A BIT WARMER AND THEN WOULD GO AWAY. EVERYTIME THE ENGINE STARTED COLD THE NOISE WOULD COME BACK. I TOOK MY (NOW OUT OF WARRANTY) CAR TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR AND THE TENSIONER WAS REPLACE. UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR DID NOT LAST LONG. ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. I AM STILL LIVING WITH THIS "RATTLE" NOISE HOPING MY CAR DOES NOT BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. I CAN NOT AFFORD THE (OVER $1000) QUOTE FOR REPAIRING THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY AT THIS TIME. I FEEL, AFTER READING THROUGH MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ALL TIMING CHAINS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPLACE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A CAR WITH LESS THAN 75,000 SHOULD NEED A NEW TIMING CHAIN! I HAVE NEVER USED ANYONE BUT MY LOCAL MINI DEALER TO FIX ANY ISSUE WITH MY CAR, I FEEL THAT MINI HAS LET ME DOWN. I WILL BE LOOKING INTO JOINING THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MINI. *TR

BOTH THE TENSIONER AND THE TIMING CHAIN WENT ON THIS CAR WITH IN A FEW DAYS. WE WERE LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT TEAR APART THE ENGINE. WE CALLED MINI COOPER, AND NEW COUNTRY MINI WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THESE ITEMS. HOWEVER, EVERY MINI CHAT ROOM IT WAS A HOT TOPIC. WE ORDERED THE PARTS AND MY HUSBAND INSTALLED THEM. IN OCTOBER WE RECEIVED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE SAME PARTS, AND CALLED THE 800 NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH THE ADVISOR AND EVEN THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER ON REPAIRING THIS CAR. FIRST THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE PARTS, THEN THEY WANTED TO SEND A FLATBED TO PICK IT UP (THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS ARE ALSO FROZEN SHUT) AND PROVIDE A LOANER, THEN THEY NEVER SHOWED. I NEED HELP. THIS $34,000 CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS FROZEN, IT CANNOT BE OPENED, FROM MINI FORUMS I HAVE SEEN WHERE THIS IS A SERIOUS ONGOING PROBLEM. NOW THE BACK BARN DOOR IS FROZEN SHUT. THE LOCKS ARE OBVIOUSLY BROKEN, YET THE DEALERSHIP EXPECTS THAT WE WILL COVER THIS OUT OF POCKET TO THE TUNE OF $1800. OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10043724 THERE HAS BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL ON THE TURBO HEAT SHIELD. WITH THE LACK OF THE HEAT SHIELD THERE COULD BE ENGINE FAILURE BY A LACK OF OIL SUPPLY. I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ALL THE REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE LACK OF THE HEAT SHIELD TOTALING $636.37, BUT MINI WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE COSTS AS THIS IS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL (THOUGH MY DEALER HAD LEFT A MESSAGE STATING THAT IT WAS AN OPEN RECALL). THIS SHOULD BE AN OPEN RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND THEN THE ENGINE MADE A WEIRD RATTLE AND THEN QUIT. THANKFULLY I WASN'T TRAVELING FASTER THAN 45MPH AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE. ENGINE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. *TR

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 BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS A "NORMAL NOISE" AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM EVENTUALLY BROKE DOWN, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE NOW OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. I WOULD ADVISE ANYONE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW, BECAUSE MINI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ISN'T FIXING IT AS THEY KNOW THEY SHOULD. WE GAVE THEM AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THE ISSUE, AND BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE WE ENDED UP WITH A VEHICLE THAT DIDN'T RUN. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT HAS BEEN TRIPPING THE FAULT TO LIGHT UP THE DASHBOARD AND OVER HEAD LAMPS TELLING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG IS DISENGAGED, WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. PREVIOUS YEAR MINI'S AS WELL AS SAME YEAR MINI'S HAVE BEEN AFFECTED CAUSING MINI TO EXTEND A WARRANTY OR EVEN A RECALL IN THE INSTANCE OF BMW. HOWEVER FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR NO SUCH WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED OR EXTENDED. THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF DOLLARS TIME AND AGAIN FOR A PART THAT WAS DESIGNED TO LAST ONLY A FEW YEARS WHEN ALL VEHICLES MUST POSSES A SAFE WORKING AIRBAG FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA AS WELL AS VARIOUS DEALERS, USA AND UK BASED. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION WITH REGARDS TO THE PART AND IF IT IS USED IN PREVIOUS YEARS VEHICLE'S WITH THE KNOWN ISSUES. THEY CLAIM THAT THE COMPUTER SAYS "YOUR" VIN NUMBER HAS NO KNOWN ISSUES. MINI TELLS ME I SHOULD ONLY CHANGE MY OIL ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS OR 15 THOUSAND MILES. THEY ALSO TELL ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE CAR UNLESS A WARNING LAMP COMES ON. THEY ALSO TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE BURNS ABOUT A LITRE OF OIL FOR EVERY 5000 MILES DRIVEN. AS FAR AS I KNOW RUNNING AN ENGINE ON 2 LITRES OIL WILL CAUSE IT TO SEIZE. HOW CAN THIS PRACTICE BY THE COMPANY PREVENT OR PROVIDE FOR SAFE USAGE TO CONSUMERS WHO DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS EXCEPT HOW TO DRIVE ONE. *TR

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TAKEN FOR MINI DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 8 AUG 2012, 3 DEC 2012, AND NOW IN JUNE 2013. VEHICLE NOW HAS ABOUT 36,800 MILES AND IS NO LONER UNDER WARRANTY BY ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS. ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT NOW COMES ON AND VEHICLE HAD NO OIL SHOWING ON DIP STICK. CANNOT TELL IF OIL IS BURNING OFF AND NO EVIDENCE OF LEAK. REPAIRMAN NOW STATES THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE ISSUE AND WILL COST UPWARDS OF $2800 TO FIX. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, ENGINE TEMP SHOT UP AND I HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. $1,800 REPAIR. *TR

I LIVE WHERE THE WEATHER GETS INTO THE TEENS REGULARLY THIS TIME OF YEAR. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I STARTED IN ONE MORNING. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, IT HAD NO POWER. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY AND NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD PUT IN FOR THE COST OF OVER $1100. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THEY HAVE ONLY HAD TO DO THIS REPAIR ON MINI'S THAT LIVE IN COLD CLIMATES AND THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MINE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DEFECT AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY? *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS BIG DECLINE IN PERFORMANCE. ALSO, THE ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. THE CAR JUST EXCEEDED ITS 50,000K MILE WARRANTY, OF COURSE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. GOT A CALL TODAY SAYING THAT MY TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF ABOUT $2700! ALSO, THE TIMING BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A TUNE OF ABOUT $1300. I SPOKE WITH THE TECHNICIAN AND HE TELLS ME THAT HE SEES THESE PROBLEMS IN BMW/MINI ALL TOO FREQUENTLY ON VEHICLES WITH LOW MILEAGE. HE SAYS MINI KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT SO MINI DOESN'T EVEN MAKE THAT MODEL OF TIMING BELT ANYMORE. HE SAID THEY ALSO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST WHICH COOKS THE OIL AND CLOGS THE LINE WHICH EVENTUALLY LEADS TO OIL STARVATION FOR THE TURBO. MINI RECOMMENDS OIL CHANGES AT 15,000 MILE INTERVALS WHICH COULD ALSO BE AN ISSUE BUT I'VE READ ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES AND STILL HAD PROBLEMS. MINI HAS RECALLED THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP ONLY BECAUSE IT BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $5500 BILL FOR REPAIRS. *TR

RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 12V-008 ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/DEFECTS/RESULTS.CFM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE SAYS WE ARE ALSO NOTIFIED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR. WHY CANNOT I NOT DO THIS? WE HAVE A BMW DEALER IN BOISE. OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER, WHO WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP TO PREVENT ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED. THE ODI REPORTS CITED ABOVE CAN BE VIEWED AT WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/COMPLAINTS UNDER THE FOLLOWING IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (ODI NOS.): 10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY HOURS I HAVE SPENT ON THE PHONE WITH MINI, MINI OF MURRAY, AND MINI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND A TOW TRUCKING COMPANY.MINI IS COMPLETELY LEAVING THOSE CUSTOMERS IN THE LURCH THAT DO NOT HAVE MINI DEALERS IN THEIR STATE. NOW MINI OF MURRAY IS TELLING ME THAT IF I FIX MY CAR IN BOISE AFTER I HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE THAT I AM STILL ON THE HOOK FOR PAYING FOR THIS EVEN IF A MINI DEALER WERE TO INSPECT THE REPAIR FROM ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. HOW IS THIS LEGAL? ALL I WANT IS TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND BE REIMBURSED FOR IT, WITHOUT HAVING TO DRIVE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE 700 MILES TO DO IT. IT'S A SERIOUS WASTE OF RESOURCES, TIME AND MONEY! SOMEONE PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT WITHOUT TELLING ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.? *TR

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

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 TO 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. *TR

NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE(S) BROKE AND DISINTEGRATED INTO THE OIL PAN. ENGINE POSSIBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND ON THIS SITE SHOWS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF MINI OWNERS (SINCE 2008) AND COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WHY AREN'T THERE RECALLS YET???? *TR

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. *JS

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

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, UNFORTUNATELY, 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. *JS