MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10255379January 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IT FELL TO PIECES AT 61,000 MILES AFTER IMPECCABLE ENGINE MAINTENANCE FOR NO APPARENT REASON THEN I FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY MINI OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT THE SAME TIME APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS AFTER BUYING THE MINI SCAM THAT THEY SELL THIS FAULTY CAR JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255178January 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DURING NOVEMBER OF 2008, I BROKE DOWN 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 11/1 (WHEN I HAD AN APPT TO HAVE MY AILING CAR LOOKED AT ON 11/3). I MADE THE APPT FOR 11/3 ON 10/30 WHEN I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR BEGAN BUCKING LIKE A MECHANICAL BULL. OBVIOUSLY, I DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE APPOINTMENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/1 AFTER BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND TRANSMISSION. I WAS "GOOD-WILLED" THE TRANSMISSION BY OTTO'S BMW BECAUSE I WAS OVER MY WARRANTY IN TIME AND NOT MILEAGE (PASSED 4 YEARS, BUT NOT 50000 MILES). I PAID $386 TO FIX THE FIRST TWO ITEMS. THE NEXT DAY, I GOT MY CAR BACK. ON 11/8, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. I REALIZED ON MY WAY TO MY DESTINATION, I DESTROYED TWO STREETS AND MY FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WAS IRATE, AND THE DEALER TOWED IT IN. THEY SAID THE TRANS COOL LINE DISCONNECTED. I HAD MY CAR BACK IN A COUPLE DAYS. ON 11/23, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CAR'S EMS AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD RESTART, BUT THEN SHOOK VICIOUSLY AND THEN CONKED OUT WHEN IT WAS PUT IN GEAR. MINI TOWED IT IN AGAIN. THEY "COULDN'T VERIFY THE CONCERN" AND SAID IT DROVE OFF THE FLATBED FINE, AND YET I COULDN'T GET IT TO MOVE AGAIN 24 HOURS AFTER BREAKING DOWN. MINI KEPT THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS TO ENSURE THEY WERE THOROUGH IN THEIR EFFORTS. ON 11/30, I BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON MY WAY TO HAVE THE CAR DETAILED TO PREPARE IT FOR SALE THE FOLLOWING DAY. I HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK ON 12/1 TO WAIT FOR MINI'S TOW COMPANY TO COME RETRIEVE THE CAR FOR THE FORTH AND FINAL TIME. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS "ACTING UP REAL NICE" WHEN THEY GOT IT OFF THE FLATBED THIS TIME. BY THIS POINT IN TIME, I WAS HAVING PANIC ATTACKS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF ANY CAR BECAUSE I WAS SO PARANOID AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE. WHY HAS NO ONE RECALLED THE MINI? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255090January 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE TRANSMISSION (CVT TRANSMISSION) FIRST FAILED AT AROUND 40,000 MILES AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. SINCE THEN EVERY FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN THE 4TH TIME THAT THE DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND STILL FAILS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL, NOW MY CAR HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL BAD TO SELL THE CAR KNOWING I AM JUST PASSING THE PROBLEM ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT NO CHARGE AS I AM COVERED BY WARRANTY HOWEVER IF I SELL IT, THE NEXT BUYER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED AND WILL FACE ENDLESS FIX AND MONEY TO WASTE, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT'S $8000 EACH TIME TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254916January 13, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH FULLGROWN ADULT (WEIGHING MORE THAN 160 POUNDS) PROPERLY SEATED WHILE WEARING SEATBELT. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE BEFORE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND NEXT VISIT WILL BE THE THIRD TIME REPORTING THIS PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254199January 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
CAR CLUNKS WHILE GOING OVER ROUGH ROADS. AS PER DIAGNOSIS FROM MINI DEALERSHIP, THE "TRANSMISSION MOTOR MOUNT IS TOO SMALL AND DOES NOT DAMPEN SHOCK FROM ROAD BUMPS OR ACCELERATION TORQUE" AND WAS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254197January 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COLD START CHATTER. VERY NASTY DIESEL ENGINE SOUND UPON STARTUP WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. SOUND LASTS FOR UP TO 1 MINUTE IF I START DRIVING RIGHT AWAY, OR 5 MINUTES IF I LET IT SIT IDLE. OCCURS BETWEEN 800 AND 3000 RPM. REPRODUCIBLE EVERY TIME THE ENGINE IS COLD (IE, HAS NOT BEEN USED RECENTLY). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253699January 3, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A 3 YEAR 36K WARRANTY 6/26/03. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND RECEIVING RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE THROUGH THE DEALER, THE CAR REQUIRED REPAIR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH WAS FROZEN IN THE RECLINED POSITION. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND 10,481 MILES AFTER A DEALER MAINTENANCE CHECK, THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $886.60. AT THE SAME SERVICE VISIT, I WAS TOLD THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1600. MY MALE FRIENDS WHO ARE MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND/OR ENGINEERS SAID THAT ONE WOULD NEED TO BE DOING STUNTS IN A CAR TO NEED THAT KIND OF REPAIR AT 50,293 MILES. IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHY THE INDICATOR ONLY TELLS WHEN BRAKES ARE TOTALLY SHOT, OR WHY THE MOST RECENT SERVICE CHECK HAD NOT SHOWN WORN PADS AND DISKS. LATER, AT 53,007 MILES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED AND THAT COST $497.51 TO REPLACE. AT 62,516 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DIED WHICH COST $1173.58 TO REPLACE. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH THAT REPAIR WILL COST. NOW AT 69K, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. MY PRESENT MECHANIC (CHEAPER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN DEALERSHIP) SAYS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WITH A REMANUFACTURED SYSTEM WILL BE >$4000. THIS IS AN OUTLANDISH AMOUNT OF REPAIR AND REPAIR COST FOR A $19,000 CAR WITH 70K MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD 2 PREVIOUS HONDAS THAT WERE CHEAPER THAN THE MINI AND NEVER NEEDED A CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. MY SON DROVE MY $14,000 '95 HONDA CIVIC UNTIL LAST MONTH AND IT HAD 200K MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MINI, OR BMW FOR THAT MATTER, BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE. I WILL BE SURE TO DISCOURAGE OTHERS FROM BUYING ONE. I HOPE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS FORMED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253532January 2, 2009
AIR BAGS
THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN DISABLED WHEN A FULL SIZED ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253125December 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) BROKE WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, DEALER SERVICE ONLY. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 54K. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252799December 26, 2008
STEERING
POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY WIFE'S 2005 MINI COOPER. NO WARNING, INDICATIONS, OR EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252644December 23, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED A USED 2002 MINI COOPER ABOUT 3 1/2 YRS AGO W/ ABOUT 12K MILES. AT AROUND 15-17K MILES THE TRANSMISSION BASICALLY EXPLODED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION. MINI REPLACED IT WITH I'M GUESSING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR I ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE PUTTING IN A NEW CLUTCH AND THEY SAID NO, WHICH I FOUND STRANGE. NOW AT 60K MILES THE CLUTCH IS BASICALLY DONE. WHEN THE CAR IS COLD IT SHIFTS PRETTY NORMALLY, BUT AFTER 15-25 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE FIRST TWO GEARS BECOME HARD TO ENGAGE AND THEY SLIP. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST FIVE SPEED AND I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS CLUTCH IS DONE AFTER SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE. SHOULD THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH WHEN THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION? I'M NOT A MECHANIC BUT TO LOSE A CLUTCH AT 60K MILES DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. MY DRIVING HABITS ARE PRETTY NORMAL. I'M NOT LIGHTING UP THE TIRES AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR RACING PEOPLE. THIS IS AN EVERYDAY CAR MOSTLY USED ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M BRINGING THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THE MINI SERVICE CENTER IN FREEPORT NY ON 12/29/08. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED. AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED ONCE OR TWICE. BUT THE LIGHT STILL STAYS LIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252338December 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. HAS NOT RECURRED THIS LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER ONLY REPAIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. HAPPENED FIRST 3/26/07, PARTS HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED AND IT WAS REPAIRED ON 4/17/07; THEN 1/29/08, THEN 6/17/08, AND THEN 10/27/08. EACH TIME THEY MAKE THE SAME REPAIR: PART NUMBER 52 10 6 961 324, REPLACED SENSOR MAT, (OC3 MAT) PASSENGER SEAT, 65 77 604, REMOVED SEAT, REMOVED SEAT COVER, REPLACED SEAT COVER, MAT, AND UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL. THE LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON SINCE LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER IT HAS ONLY BEEN 2 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252266December 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON 2007 MINI COOPER S, PURCHASED NEW 12-2007, EXPERIENCING WARPED/MELTED/DEFORMED SCOOPS ON BONNET(HOOD) DUE TO EXTREME HEAT ISSUE FROM TURBO, SCOOP ORIGINALLY HAD ZERO CUTOUTS, MY COOPER HAS 3 CUTOUTS IN SCOOP MADE BY MFG, OPENING NOT LARGE ENOUGH OR FAN DOES NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH TO COOL DOWN THE BONNET SCOOP OR FAN DOES NOT RUN AT ALL, FAN RUNS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME ONLY & WARPING OCCURS ON THE BONNET SCOOP WHICH IS PAINTED PLASTIC. IF THE BONNET SCOOP WAS METAL, THIS WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. HEAT CAN REACH 235 DEGREES. HAVE BEEN OPENING HOOD WHEN RE-PARKING IN THE GARAGE TO ALLOW TO VENT/COOL DOWN. OPENING HOOD NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE ,OBVIOUSLY, WHEN PARKING NOT AT HOME. WOULD LIKE MINI (BMW) TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, NEEDS TO REPLACE THE PAINTED TO MATCH HOOD SCOOP, ADDRESSING WITH BMW 12-19-2008. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251884December 15, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY CAR'S RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THIS ARM PREVENTS THE TIRE FROM SWINGING SIDEWAYS. LUCKY FOR ME, I WAS GOING SLOWLY AT THE TIME. THE CONTROL ARM CONSISTS OF TWO 1/4" PIECES OF METAL WITH HOLES IN THEM AT EVENLY SPACED POINTS. BOTH OF THE METAL ARMS WERE BROKEN IN LINE WITH THE HOLES THAT WERE PART OF THE MANUFACTURED DESIGN. I PAID $1900 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS(NOW CALLED ZURICH) AT MINI OF CONCORD, CALIFORNIA. CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT IS LISTED AS COVERED. THEIR REASON FOR NOT COVERING IT IS BECAUSE IT HAS A SLIGHT BEND IN IT (I DON'T SEE IT) AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THAT IT EVENTUALLY BROKE. THE METAL THAT MAKES UP THIS ARM IS NO MORE THAN 1/4" THICK: POORLY MADE, ESPECIALLY WHEN COUPLED WITH THESE HOLES THAT ARE IN IT. THIS PART SHOULD BE MADE TO WITHSTAND IMPACT. TO ME IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I AM APPALLED THAT NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT I BOUGHT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM WILL PAY FOR IT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE GONE FROM A MINI LOVER TO ONE WHO WILL SELL IT AFTER I'M ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. I AM CURRENTLY PRICE COMPARING IN PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252391December 12, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR 2003 MINI COOPER S. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER SON WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING HIS MINI COOPER S BACK IN JULY 2008. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HER SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED RECALL 03V086000 AND WANTED TO KNOW COULD THE RECALL HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTORY. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10251553December 12, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 80000 MILES ON IT AND THE CVT FAILED COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GET A NEW REPLACEMENT WITH AN "UPDATED" 2005 MODEL WHICH I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FROM 2 PLACES $8000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT WHY HAVE THEY NOT CONTACTED ME? PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251418December 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
SUPERCHARGER FAILED AT 60,950 MILES, RESULTING IN COMPLETE REBUILD OF UNIT. FAULTY GEAR AND LUBRICATION DESIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250533December 2, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT AND LOCKED INSIDE OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S BECAUSE THE CABLES INSIDE THE DOOR FROZE. HUSBAND HAD TO PULL ME OUT OF THE CAR VIA THE DRIVER'S WINDOW BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY OUT. ABLE TO INITIALLY GET IN AND OUT OF CAR BUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE DOORS FROZE AND I WAS STUCK. TALKED TO MINI USA AND DEALERSHIP AND BOTH SAID NEVER HEARD OF IT EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS BLOGS AND COMPLAINTS EXIST FOR MINI COOPER S MADE BEFORE 04/2004. VERY WORRIED IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND ME AND MY UNBORN CHILD NEED TO GET OUT. ALSO HAVE HAD MY TWO AND FOUR YEAR OLD GIRLS IN THE CAR WITH ME. FORTUNATELY DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY WERE PRESENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250256December 1, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY FAILURE. BATTERY HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE CAR BRAND NEW IN FEB, 2003. ON EACH OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HAVING GIVEN NO WARNING. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2005 AT 26,000 MI., THE SECOND IN 2007 AT 51,000 MI., THE THIRD IN 2008 AT 68,000 MI. EACH FAILED BATTERY WAS A MANUFACTURER'S BRAND (MINI). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250432December 1, 2008
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY POWER STEERING PUMP DIED I COULD HARDLY CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY, IT FELT LIKE MY STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED, TURNING IN ANY ANGLE WAS VERY HARD WORST THAN DRIVING A TRUCK, I KEPT A FIRM GRIP WITH ONE HAND WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE GEARS, MY ARMS, BACK, AND HAND IS STILL HURTING, HAD NO WARNING SIGNALS, IT WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY HARD TO MANAGED I WASNT ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR DID NOT FEEL SAFE, DID NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OF HANDLING THE STEERING THIS IS SERIOUS PROTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE RECALLS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN 2004. MY MINI IS NOW IN THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE PUMP REPLACE AND THE FAN. THIS IS A DEADLY ISSUE AND MINI SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET WE SHOULD GET REFUNDS, SO FAR OUT OF POCKET IS OVER $1100.00, I HOPE THIS SEND A MESSAGE TO THE MANAUFACTURE THAT LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE, GREAT CAR BUT NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FULL CONTROL. I'M SO THANKFUL I DIDNT HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY OUT OF THE WAY OR I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS BAD EXPERIENCE I LOST A DAY OF WORK TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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