MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10516268June 11, 2013
ENGINE
BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE. SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS LEAKING AND COMING LOOSE. TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE 1500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE . I WAS READING ONLINE THAT THOUSAND OF VEHICLES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKEN AND HAVE A RATTLE NOISE AND ENGINE VALVES COMPLETELY BREAK. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL, IT SEEMS THAT TOO MANY VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519327June 11, 2013
STEERING
LOST ALL POWER STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519389June 11, 2013
SUSPENSION
2005 MINI COOPER 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE: THE LEFT REAR UPPER AND LOWER (ORIGINAL/FACTORY) CONTROL ARMS (METAL STRUT) FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD; WARNING SIGN WAS A SLIGHT NOISE FROM THE REAR LEFT TIRE, WHICH WENT AWAY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT, THEN CAME BACK WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. (SOUNDED LIKE INTERMITTENT RUBBING/ TIRE ISSUE.) THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY AND THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. WHILE TURNING OFF MAIN ROAD TO INVESTIGATE, SECOND CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAR CAME DOWN TO REST ON REAR TIRE AND WOULD NOT ROLL FORWARD. UNEXPECTED AND COMPLETE FAILURE WITH CLEAN FRACTURE TO BOTH CONTROL ARMS. NO COLLISION OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE/PART. VEHICLE NOT RUSTED. GOOGLE SEARCH BRINGS UP MANY OTHER MINI COOPER POSTS OF THIS CONTROL ARM FAILING UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (THAT THEY HAD RECENTLY EXITED). OTHERS POSTING ONLINE HAVE EXPERIENCED 'UNCONTROLLED 180 SPINS' WHEN THEIRS FAILED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT THE ORIGINAL FACTORY CONTROL ARMS ON OTHER SIDE MAY EXHIBIT SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MATERIALS/PARTS BAD BATCH. MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURE (TO HIS PERSONAL CAR) WITH NO WARNING RECENTLY. ONLINE POSTS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME UNEXPECTED FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/80969-REAR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE.HTML HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/108796-REAR-CONTROL-ARM-ISSUES.HTML HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/69981-BROKEN-PART-UNDERSIDE-WHATS-CALLED.HTML HTTP://WWW.PSMINI.ORG/FORUM/EXPENSIVE-REPAIR-CONTROL-ARM-BUSHINGS-AND-STRUTS_TOPIC6569.HTML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516059June 10, 2013
AIR BAGS
FROM MY RESEARCH, THE 2006 MINI HAS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1000. SINCE 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT PROPERLY TEST THE DEVICE BEFORE RELEASING THEM INTO PRODUCTION AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ON MANY FAILURES OF THIS DEVICE. I CANNOT DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY IF THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS SITUATION AND MINI WILL BE LIABLE IN A SITUATION IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG PROPERLY WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY ON THE 2002 - 2005 MODELS TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2006+ MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515850June 9, 2013
ENGINE
MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO HAS PERFORMED WORK FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY FOR TWELVE YEARS. AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT'S COMPLAINTS THE SAME PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED TO ME. THE OIL LINES BEGAN TO LEAK BECAUSE THERE WAS A CLOG, AND IT CAUSED THE TURBO TO BURN OUT. PARTS AND LABOR FOR A USED TURBO CAME OUT TO BE AROUND $1,800. A NEW TURBO ALONE WOULD HAVE COST ROUGHLY 2,000. NOW SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES LATER, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK NOTICED UNDER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS TIME, TO SEE WHAT THE EXACT PROBLEM WAS AND AN ESTIMATE BEFORE TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC. THEY FOUND "SEVERAL LEAKS" OF WHICH THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THE WATER PUMP GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND FINALLY THE OIL FILTER GASKET. AFTER THE $1,800 BILL FOR THAT WAS PAID, A CALL WAS RECEIVED DECLARING THAT THE CRANK CASE NOW HAS A LEAK IN IT AS WELL AND NEEDS TO BE RESEALED. WITH THE OIL LEAKING FROM THAT, THE CLUTCH COULD ALSO BE BURNING OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED COSTING AN ADDITIONAL $5,400. THE REPAIR BILL ON THIS ALONE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO BRING NORMAL HARD WORKING PEOPLE TO TEARS. ALSO, THE COLD START RATTLE IDENTIFYING THE TIMING BELT ISSUES HAS BEGUN ON MY CAR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. GLAD TO KNOW BMW TAKES CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMERS AND IGNORES THE COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515901June 9, 2013
POWER TRAIN
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH MY 2012 COUNTRYMAN ALL4 S CLUTCH. THE CAR SIMPLY WILL NOT GO UP HILLS. LIVING IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN MULTIPLE SITUATIONS WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE, RESULTING IN STALLING AND A BURNING CLUTCH. I'VE HAD TO STOP AND MOTION FOR PEOPLE TO GO AROUND ME TO AVOID ROLLING BACK INTO THEM. I TOOK IT IN TWICE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOT SURPRISINGLY, AT 9,500 MILES, MY CLUTCH COMPLETELY BURNED OUT 200 MILES FROM HOME. AT FIRST, MINI SAID MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME ~$3,000, BUT AFTER COMPLAINING, THEY AGREED TO COVER 75%. THEY TOLD ME THE NEW CLUTCH IS UPGRADED/IMPROVED; HOWEVER, I STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES ON HILLS AND HAVE TO AVOID THEM, OR TAKE OUR OTHER CAR IF DRIVING INTO THE MOUNTAINS. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AS CITED ON MULTIPLE AUTO REVIEW SITES. I RECENTLY ASKED MINI TO BUY-BACK MY COUNTRYMAN BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE CLUTCH PROBLEMS, AND BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ANYWHERE THERE IS A HILL (EVEN A SMALL ONE). THE ANSWER WAS SIMPLY "NO". I AM FRUSTRATED AND FED UP WITH THE LACK OF CONCERN BY MINI...THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND ARE DOING NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. I CANNOT KEEP THIS CAR, BUT CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO SELL TO AN UNSUSPECTING INDIVIDUAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515648June 7, 2013
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
DEAR [XXX], I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARDS TO MY MINI COOPER VIN# [XXX]. FIRSTLY, I AM AWARE OF TWO RECALL NOTICES, ID# [XXX] AND ID #[XXX]. I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THESE RECALLS BUT TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. SEVERAL TIMES I INDICATED THE SENSORY WARNING CAME ON WITH ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THIS CONCERNS ME, BECAUSE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURES BEFORE 45,000MILES. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE MINI SERVICE CENTER FOR THESE FAILURES, INCLUDING: REPLACING SPARK PLUGS, FAULTY COIL PACK, FAULTY LATCH, BRAKE REPLACEMENT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE, ON-BOARD COMPUTER REPLACEMENT, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CURRENTLY, THE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT WHICH IS NOT YET FIXED. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPIES OF MY INVOICES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND SERVICE VISITS. [XXX], THE TECHNICIAN AT MINI OF CAMARILLO, STATED THIS LAST PROBLEM (THE SOLENOID VALVE) APPARENTLY IS RELATED TO THE VANOS ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF WITH CAUTION MESSAGE ENGINE MALFUNCTION CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH HIM IT STILL HAD THE SAME EXACT JOLT THRASHING BACK AND FORTH MOTION HARD ENOUGH IT IS FELT ON THE SEAT. [XXX] AT MINI OF CAMARILLO INFORMED ME IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE IGNITION COIL AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT THE CALABASAS SERVICE CENTER I HAVE TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO FIX THIS CURRENT PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SINCE THE TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE ON MAY 24TH THE CAR STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHILE EXITING OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND ON FREQUENT STOPS. THESE CONTINUED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY MINI COOPER HAVE REQUIRED IT TO REMAIN UNREPAIRED AND OUT OF SERVICE AT THE MINI SERVICE CENTER NOW FOR A WEEK TO BE MECHANICALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515692June 7, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515716June 7, 2013
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER HAS GONE OUT NOW FOUR TIMES. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER AND IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A U-TURN OR PARALLEL PARK. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.I HAVE CONTACTED MINI OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THEY REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS DESPITE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM BMW/MINI THAT THE PART IS FAULTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515511June 6, 2013
STEERING
FIRST INCIDENT: VEHICLE MILEAGE 37004 (12/31/2009): 2004 MINI COOPER S WAS BEING DRIVEN ON SURFACE STREETS AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE EXQUISITELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. UPON ARRIVAL AT A MECHANIC, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY AND BOTH THE PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS INJURY. SECOND INCIDENT: VEHICLE MILEAGE ~55,000 (1/19/2013): SAME VEHICLE AS ABOVE WAS BEING DRIVEN ONTO A SHARP RIGHT BANKING ON RAMP TO THE I-10E FREEWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED BY A DRIVER AND A PASSENGER. DESPITE THE DRIVER'S QUICK REACTIONS, THE CAR HIT THE CURVES OUTER CONCRETE RETAINING WALL NEARLY HEAD ON. THE WALL COULD NOT BE AVOIDED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF WARNING OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, AS WELL AS THE MINIMAL SPACE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE CURVE, ESTIMATED BY THE DRIVER AS LESS THAN A CAR WIDTH WIDE. THE DRIVER WAS ESTIMATED BY A POLICE OFFICER TO BE DRIVING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED CHEMICAL BURNS TO HIS UPPER EXTREMITY FROM THE AIRBAG, THE PASSENGER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE DAYS WITH A PNEUMOTHORAX AND REQUIRED A CHEST TUBE TO BE PLACED. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM BEING INJURED, BUT A RECALL WILL. UPDATED 06/12/13*LJ UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10515513June 6, 2013
SEAT BELTS
AFTER THE CAR WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE SEAT BELT SENSOR (BEEPER) STOPPED WORKING. MINI WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPLACED. SAID IF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, THE AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. VERY COSTLY REPAIR (COMPUTER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT). SHOULDN'T SAFETY FEATURES (REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT) BE FIXED, WITHOUT CHARGE, FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515294June 5, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SOUND OF THE ENGINE RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARS IN THE MORNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515320June 5, 2013
STEERING
DRIVING ON ROAD WENT TO TURN ,AND STEERING LOSS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT.L *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515028June 4, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514873June 3, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR ILLUMINATES WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT HAVE NOT DISCOVERED A RECALL OR ANY INFORMATION TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. SEEMS IT SHOULD BE FIXED AS THEY DID WITH THE 2002 MODEL, COVERING THE REPAIR TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514910June 3, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT QUICKLY ENOUGH AND CAUSED THE DOOR TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000....UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514711June 2, 2013
POWER TRAIN
CVT (AUTO TRANSMISSION) NEEDS REPLACING. MINI COOPER QUOTE IS $9,000 TO REPLACE. MINI DEALER KNOWS THAT THERE' S MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THESE CVT (AUTO TRANS.) *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514660June 1, 2013
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING 45-50 MILES AN HOUR ON I95S OVER THE Q BRIDGE NEAR NEW HAVEN. I TURNED GENTLY TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO STRAIGHTEN UP. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT DID NOT HELP. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED BEFORE. MY CAR WAS BOUNCED FROM ONE SIDE OF THE CONCRETE BARRIER TO THE OTHER. ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS DEEMED TO BE AT FAULT. I SUSTAINED SEVERE SPINAL INJURY AND REQUIRED MAJOR SURGERY IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO WORK FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. I GOT REIMBURSEMENT FROM MY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR,S KBB VALUE. I THINK THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HARTFORD. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW DUE TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CASE FOR STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514441May 31, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAN BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. THE PLACEMENT OF THE FAN IS REALLY BAD BECAUSE IT'S SUBJECT TO CONSTANT ROAD GRIME, SALT, ETC. COST ME OVER $1,200 TO FIX. :( *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514557May 31, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 07/12/13*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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