MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10130518July 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, THE REAR OF MY MINI COOPER S MADE A NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT, REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR, THE CONTROL ARM WAS IN TWO PIECES, BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER AND I WILL BE REQUESTING THE PART BACK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129357July 19, 2005
AIR BAGS
2002 MINI COOPER S HAS HAD A SECOND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE. WHEN ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DETECT A FAILURE, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED UNTIL TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE FIXED. LOOKING UNDER THE SEATS TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE, DISCOVERED THE "FIX" PERFORMED BY THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE INTIAL FIX WAS TO COMPRESS THE PLUG TOGETHER WITH "WIRETIES" - NOT TO REPLACE THE PLUGS WITH A BETTER DESIGN. BOTH THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE REPAIR OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM ITSELF ARE FAULTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129362July 19, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND TURNING THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT OR NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES. OWNER HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS . OWNER CONTACTED MINI-COOPER CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE OWNER CALL NHTSA AND REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID SEND AN E-MAIL TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHY VEHICLE FAILED. HE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANY KIND OF OBJECTS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 YARDS POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. OWNER PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WAS AVAILABLE. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR INJURY THAT COULD RESULT IN FATALITIES. THIS WAS A MINI-COOPER S CONVERTIBLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127331July 2, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
STARTED VEHICLE IN THE EVENING WHEN LEAVING WORK THEN DROVE OUT ONTO THE STREET AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE DEALER SAID A TEMPERATURE SENSOR TOLD THE COMPUTER IT WAS OUT OF RANGE AND SENT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO A LIMP MODE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO MAP SENSORS AND AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MOTOR, BUT IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THEY CORRECT THE SOFTWARE. THERE ARE 7 MINI COOPER S AUTOMATICS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT THIS DEALER AND MANY MORE THROUGHOUT THE U.S.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126929June 28, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PURCHASED CAR NEW 10/2004. IN FEBRUARY 2005 IT BEGAN TO ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO DIE AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED. WHEN THE RPMS ARE LOW IT ACTS AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP RE: THIS PROBLEM WERE MET W/ "MINI KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A FIX BY MAY." I BROUGHT UP MY CONCERNS REGARDING SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO "BE CAREFUL". HAVING THE CAR DIE IN MID-TURNS OR WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MINI THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND OWNERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE GASOLINE IN THE USA IS "BETTER".I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS "UNFIXABLE" PROBLEM.NUMBER OF FAILURES NOTED WAS CALCULATED BY MULTIPLYING APPROX.# OF DAYS SINCE THIS PROBLEM BEGAN BY THE AVE # OF STARTS PER DAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124636June 28, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IF USING THE REMOTE TO LOCK THE DOORS AND IF ANYONE WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HANDLES NOR THE DOOR LOCK WILL UNLOCK THE DOOR. CONSUMER HAS TO USE THE REMOTE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS SOME TYPE OF COMPUTER DEFECT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DEMONSTRATED TO THEM THE PROBLEM, AND THEY AGREED WITH THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS WAS JUST THE WAY THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. *AK *TT *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126698June 27, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN PEOPLE STARTING HONKING AND WAVING AT CONSUMER. BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER HAD DEALER COME AND GET VEHICLE, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE WAS IN HER POSSESSION FOR 24 HOURS WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW FROM DEALER , WHO SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. BUT CONSUMER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHECK TO SEE IF BRAKE LIGHTS ACTUALLY WORKED. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THIS HAPPENED AFTER DEALER HAD DONE THE SAFETY PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERING THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT THE PREPARATIONS WERE DONE, AND THEY CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND ALL THE FLUID LEVELS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122262May 26, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
8" CRACK IN FRONT WINDSHIELD. CRACK IS LOCATED ON LOWER RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER) SIDE OF VEHICLE THAT STARTS BELOW THE WINDSHIELD SEAL. THE GOES UP 3" THEN CURVES LEFT AND TRAVELS FOR 5". CRACK APPEARED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SECURE GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS, AND HAS GROWN ABOUT 1" A WEEK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121327May 18, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MY 2004 MINI COOPER S HAD BEEN PARKED, UNTOUCHED, IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 2 DAYS. I GOT IN IT LAST NIGHT AND FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS A VERTICLA CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD EXTENDING FROM THE TOP CHROME MOLDING 14" DOWN, PARALLEL TO AND 5" FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT MINI HAD A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE IN THE PAST "BUT NOT NOW". AT HIS SUGGESTION, I RAN THE TIP OF A BALL-POINT PEN ALONG THE CRACK AND FOUND A "CHIP" AT THE TOP OF THE CRACK. THIS "CHIP" IS SMALLER THAN THE TIP OF THE BALL-POINT PEN. I'VE HAD MANY NEW AND USED CARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST CASE WHERE SUCH AN INSIGNIFICANT "CHIP" HAS PROPAGATED TO A TOTAL FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT WITHOUT EVEN BEING VISIBLE FIRST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120402April 29, 2005
STRUCTURE
COMPLAINT REGARDING THE POSITION OF THE HORN BUTTONS ON THE 2004 MINI COOPER S. *MR THE CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO HONK THE HORN BY PRESSING THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112910April 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-7 SECONDS.. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT INCREASE EVEN WITH THE FOOT PEDAL PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE RPM DID INCREASE THE CAR ACCELERATED NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *AK *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117974April 16, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON A MINI. CRACK EXTENDS FROM RIGHT EDGE AND GOES TOWARDS CENTER AND THEN TURNS UP TOWARDS ROOF - CRACK ABOUT 12" LONG. NO STONE CHIP ANYWHERE ALONG CRACK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114479March 22, 2005
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 8 TIMES IN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. (THE INCIDENT DATE I REPORT BELOW IS SIMPLY THE MOST RECENT OCCURENCE) EACH TIME REQUIRES A TRIP TO THE DEALER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DE-CTIVATED, AND THEREFORE THE SYSTEM RESET IS AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS SENSORS, WIRING HARNESS PIECES, AND SEVERAL OF THE AIRBAG UNITS (ESP. THE SEAT AIRBAGS). THIS IS REPORTED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MINI COOPER FAILURES AND HAS PLAGUED THESE CARS FOR ALL MODEL YEARS IN PRODUCTION. THIS IS AN URGENT SAFETY DEFECT AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NHSTA TAKE ACTION! (SORRY I DON'T KNOW MY VIN BY MEMORY AND CAN'T ACCESS MY REGISTRATION AT THE MOMENT...IF YOU REALLY NEED THIS, SIMPLY EMAIL ME AND I'LL GLADLY PROVIDE). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115637March 15, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CONSUMER'S 2004 MINI COOPER CRACKED ABOUT 4 INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE VIN NUMBER. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE EDGE AND MOVED UP TO THE RIGHT. *NM THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A STRESS CRACK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114058March 14, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY OBJECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114092March 14, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY A VERY VERY SMALL PEBBLE SIZE STONE HITS UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE WINDSHIELD IMMIDEIATLY SPIDERS ALL OVER THE WINDOW. I'VE BEEN TOLD ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BMW WINDSHIELDS WERE CORRECTED, BUT I'VE HEARD FROM OVER 20 FELLOW MINI OWNERS OF RANDOM CRACKING AND FAILURES WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES!!! THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND IT ISNT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECUASE IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN IMPACT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113870March 10, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
2002 MINI COOPER [XXX]. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TIMES TO ADDRESS THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING LIT, IN 44,000 MILES. VARIOUS HARNESSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR ONCE. NOW, AT 44,500 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR A FIFTH TIME. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH THE LIGHT LIT. I SUGGEST THAT MINIUSA BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHICH THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE FULLY ISOLATED.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112628March 7, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, AIR BAGS
ON MARCH 5, 2005, A 2 INCH X 2 INCH L SHAPED CRACK WAS FIRST DEVELOPED AT THE MID BOTTOM SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE SHORT ARM OF THE L ORIGINATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON THE NEXT DAY, AFTER PARKING INSIDE MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT, THE LONG ARM OF THE L PROPAGATED ANOTHER 2 INCHES. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING, THE CRACK FURTHER EXTENDED ANOTHER 1/4 INCH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CRACK STARTED WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS. THE ONLY SENSIBLE EXPLANATION IS DUE TO DESIGN OF THE BODY STRUTURE OR DEFECT FROM MINI COOPERS, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSES STRESS TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG TO LEARN FROM THE INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD THAT MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OR RECURRING INCIDENTS WERE ALSO REPORTED. ONE OF THE MESSAGE BOARD PARTICIPANT WHO INSTALLS WINDSHIELD FOR CAR SUGGESTED US TO FILE A COMPLAINT AT THIS SITE BECAUSE WINDSHIELD PROBLEM CAN BE FATAL BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWINGS: 1. ACT AS A SUPPORT FOR THE ROOF. 2. ACT AS A BARRIER TO PREVENT PASSENGER FROM EJECTING OF THE CAR.. CAUSE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED.*AK I STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112343March 1, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WENT OUT TO DINNER WITH MY PARENTS - GONE APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS - CAME BACK TO FIND THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BY A NEIGHBOR. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AT ALL THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WHEN WE PARKED THE CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER CASES (VIA THE INTERNET) IN THE UK THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107099January 10, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CERTAIN SPOTS THAT COULD NOT TOLERATE ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE WINDSHIELD BREAKS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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