MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10238142August 14, 2008
STEERING
MY MINI COOPER S 2002. MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. VERY DANGEROUS AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING WHEN OFF WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. IT IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238316August 14, 2008
STEERING
ON AUG. 9, 2008, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. AS I DROVE IT, IT LOOSENED UP. THE NEXT DAY, AUG. 10, THE SITUATION WORSENED--EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THEN STARTED, THE STEERING TIGHTENED. THERE WAS NO LOOSENING UP AT ALL. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL PEP BOYS TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY DIAGNOSED A POSSIBLE PSP FAILURE. THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AS ONLY MINI HAS THE SCHEMATICS FOR THIS REPAIR. I CALLED THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN PEABODY, MA FIRST THING MONDAY AND GOT AN APPT. FOR TODAY, AUG. 14. SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE, I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN NECESSARY. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WAS FINE. OTHER TIMES, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAULTY PSP TODAY. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED A COMPLETE FAILURE. I'VE OWNED SEVERAL CARS WITH MORE MILEAGE ON THEM THAN THIS ONE (IT CURRENTLY HAS 60K AND IS FIVE YEARS OLD) AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PSP PROBLEMS, NEVER MIND AN OUTRIGHT FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238015August 13, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON FORUMS SEE THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS. TURNS OUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT DEALERSHIPS EVEN CARRY EXTRA PARTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I SEE THAT SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR JUST HAPPENED WITH OTHER BMW'S. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. IT APPEARS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237633August 11, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
HOOD SCOOP ON 2007 MINI COOPER "S" IS MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM TURBO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237635August 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RECEIVED BLISTERING AND PERMANENT SCARING BURN FROM EXHAUST PIPE WHILE REMOVING CARGO FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237634August 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RECEIVED BLISTERING AND PERMANENT SCARING BURN FROM EXHAUST PIPE WHILE REMOVING CARGO FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237779August 11, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE HOOD SCOOP OF MY CAR DEFORMS DUE TO EXTREME HEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237617August 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
AFTER A 30 MINUTE DRIVE, I PARKED AND THEN PULLED SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK. WHILE REACHING IN, I BURNED MY LEFT SHIN ON THE TAILPIPE. I SHOWED IT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO OUR BURN UNIT DIRECTOR AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FUNCTIONAL FULL THICKNESS BURN IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS LOCATION (BECAUSE OF THE POOR BLOOD PERFUSION TO THE SHIN, HEALING IS IMPAIRED AND INFECTION RISK IS HIGH). HE SENT ME HOME FROM WORK ON ANTIBIOTICS AND I HAD TO BE ON BED REST WITH MY LEG ELEVATED. I SPOKE TO MINI AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BE CAREFUL - AS THE TAILPIPE CAN GET HOT. I THANKED THEM FOR THE ADVICE AND MADE THE FOLLOWING POINT: SURE, IT GETS HOT... IT'S AN EXHAUST TAILPIPE. HOWEVER, IT'S THE FIRST THING MY LEG COMES IN CONTACT TO AND IT'S IN THE CENTER OF A CAR THAT REQUIRES YOU TO GET CLOSE IN ORDER TO PULL SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK. I SUGGESTED THAT BMW ISSUE A RECALL AND ADJUST THE TAILPIPE SO THAT THE FIRST THING THE LEG HITS IS THE BUMPER (LIKE MOST CARS). I WAS TOLD THAT NO CHANGE WAS PLANNED AT THIS TIME. MY POINTS: IT'S A BAD DESIGN. IT'S AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OR NORTHAMERICANMOTORING SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS). BMW NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT ITS CUSTOMERS AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, ITS CUSTOMERS' CHILDREN. *TR ADD PICTURE *121108 CW UPDATED 12/11/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237175August 6, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM THE SECOND OWNER (BOTH OLDER LADIES), OF A 2002 AUTOMATIC MINI COOPER WITH 46,000 MILES. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE TRANNY FAILED. IT DOWNSHIFTED OR SOMETHING AND THE EP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH MEANS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND I WAS TWO FEET AWAY FROM BEING REAR ENDED! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE, I HAVE READ GREAT AMOUNTS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. IT IS DANGEROUS AND VERY COSTLY ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES I'VE READ OF PEOPLE WHOSE HAD THEIRS FIXED OR REPLACED. THESE CARS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS NEEDS TO BE ANNOUNCED TO THE PUBLIC FOR SAFETY REASONS ALONE NOT EVEN TO MENTION THE COST! SINCERELY, BONNIE QUINN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236640August 1, 2008
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY MINI COOPER CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236567July 31, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 67K MILES ( OUT OF WARRANTY). TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TO MY HOME, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND HAD TO CHANGE TO THE SLOW LANE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER DOING MUCH SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVE CHAIN COMPONENT THAT SHOULDN'T GO OUT AT 67K. THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE FLAWED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THEY DO NOT PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO THE NEWER MODELS. ALSO IT SEEMS, EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY MINI'S GET TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED; WITH THE OWNER ONLY HAVING TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THE OWNER CAUSES A "STINK" OR ALLUDES TO MAKING PROBLEMS FOR MINI. IF THE MANUFACTURER REALLY BELIEVED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WERE NOT FAULTY, I BELIEVE THEY WOULD STICK TO THEIR POSITION WITH ALL CUSTOMERS, INSTEAD OF MAKING EXCEPTIONS. MINI SHOULD BE ORDERED TO RECALL CARS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236312July 29, 2008
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN IT WENT OUT, AND I FREAKED OUT. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT BACK UP, AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHERE IT WOULD KICK ON EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, AND THEN IT WENT OUT FOR GOOD. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR AROUND $1000 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. THE ONLY GOOD THING, IS THAT IT HAS GREATLY STRENGTHENED MY ARM MUSCLES... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236313July 29, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY WHEN SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP IN MY CAR. I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THESE LIGHTS WERE: LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LOW BRAKE PADS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, & ABS BREAK LIGHT. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THEY STILL WERE LIT UP. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS AS I WASN'T DRIVING ERRATICALLY, JUST NORMAL. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY EXACTLY THEY ARE ON, HOWEVER I FIGURE IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235909July 27, 2008
AIR BAGS
FULL-GROWN ADULT PASSENGERS (WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF 120 POUNDS) SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUSES THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, WHICH STATES, "PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG DISABLED". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235781July 25, 2008
TIRES, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WHEEL AND TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD RANGE FROM $3,000 - $5,000. THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WERE THE STEERING, BRAKES, SUSPENSION, AND SHOCKS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235446July 23, 2008
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2002 MINI COOPER S MODEL. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HAS BEEN REPAIRED MANY TIMES AND STILL STAYS ON, DEACTIVATING SAFETY FEATURES OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MINI. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL I FEEL FOR OUR SAFETY... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235245July 22, 2008
VISIBILITY
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER WILL NOT COME DOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235059July 20, 2008
STEERING
COMPLETE AND INSTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE ARM STRENGTH TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234912July 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED 2002 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NTSB SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINI'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPIRATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NTSB AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234914July 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PURCHASED 2003 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NETSCAPE SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINE'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NETSCAPE AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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