MINI Cooper Complaints (2011)

200 consumer complaints on file.

#11143593October 29, 2018
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF DURING THE COURSE OF TRAVEL OR SITTING STILL. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHETHER IT BE ON A CITY STREET, FREEWAY, ETC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11142708October 25, 2018
ENGINE
MY TURBOCHARGER FAILED IN 2017. I REPLACED WITH A NON OEM TURBOCHARGER. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MIN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY AFTER OUR REPAIR. MINI IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE PARTS COST AND INSTALL BECAUSE NON OEM PARTS. THIS SHOULD NOT MATTER ACCOUNT PARTS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO EXTENDED WARRANTY BEING COMMON KNOWLEDGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11120330August 20, 2018
ENGINE
2011 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11120962August 19, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I OWNED A 2011 MINI COOPER S ("MINI") VEHICLE THAT CAUSED A FIRE AND INJURIES AT OUR HOME. THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE MINI WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FIRE DESTROYED OUR RESIDENCE, PERSONAL PROPERTY AND TWO VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE AFOREMENTIONED MINI. FIRE AUTHORITIES DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE MINI'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION YIELDED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. THE FAILURE IGNITED NEARBY COMBUSTIBLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 12V-008, WHICH AFFECTED 88,911 BMW VEHICLES. IT IS UNKNOWN WHY OUR MINI WAS NOT RECALLED AND OR INCLUDED IN THAT CAMPAIGN. BMW MANUFACTURES MINIS, AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL RECENT NATIONAL MEDIA REPORTS INVOLVING NUMEROUS "UNEXPLAINED" VEHICLE FIRES FOR WHICH THEY HAVE NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY OR PROVIDED PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR. TO DATE, BMW HAS FAILED TO DO EITHER OF THE LATTER WITH REGARDS TO OUR FIRE. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING THE NHTSA TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION OF SAVING LIVES AND PREVENTING ADDITIONAL INJURIES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11109819July 6, 2018
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGHINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE PURCHASE IN 2015 AND WE HAVE ALREADY INVESTED SEVERL $ TRYING TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. IT ALWAYS COME BACK ON POWER LOSS AND RATTLING SOUND TOOK TO BMW DEALER AND PAID FOR "TROUBLESHOOTING" WAS TOLD BY BMW SERVICE TECH NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT COULD SMOKE AD DIE! THE TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL AND LAWSUIT FOR THIS THROUGH 2010 BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 2011....CAR COULD SMOKE OUT AND DIE ANY MOMENT. 86272 MILES YEAR 2011 CALLED BMW FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THATS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. WE DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD INVEST ANOTHER 5K+TO FIX THIS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11105312July 3, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER, 9543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11104507June 28, 2018
STEERING, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN GOING ON A 35MPH STREET AND MY CAR DID NOT TURN RIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO INTO A STREET AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO A TREE AND MY CAR WAS ALMOST OR MAY BE TOTALED BECAUSE OF THIS. I BELIEVE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FAULTY. I COULD HAVE HIT A CONCRETE WALL BUT THE TREE I RAN INTO SAVED MY LIFE. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS FOR THIS LATELY BUT I WANT TO BE SAFE AND IF THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION RIGHT THEN I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101962June 14, 2018
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE, CAUSING NUMEROUS AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11101355June 12, 2018
ENGINE
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CODE CAME UP DURING A SMOG CHEG INSPECTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11088783April 18, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 I DROVE 10 MINUTES FROM HOME. I WAS PARKED IN A LOT FOR 5 MINUTES. CAME OUT OF STORE, STARTED ENGINE AND HEAVY SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING THE INTERIOR AND BILLOWING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY GOT OUT. OPENED THE HOOD. SAW FLAMES DEEP DOWN, JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK. HEAVY WHITE/GRAY SMOKE. CALLED 911, WHO RESPONDED QUICKLY (DANBURY CT FIRE DEPT.) THE OWNER OF THE STORE I HAD BEEN IN, CAME OUT AND WITNESSED FIRE/SMOKE. FIRE SUBSIDED AND FIRE DEPT CHECKED FOR HOT SPOTS, AUTHORIZED FOR TOWING BY AAA TO DEALER. MY MINI HAD BEEN IN THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. APRIL 12, HAVING MAINTENANCE DONE... LESS THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THIS FIRE HAPPENED. (WORK DONE INCLUDED NEW FAN BELT, OIL CHANGE, FILTER, BRAKES, 2 FRONT TIRES...) I PICKED MY CAR UP ON FRIDAY, APR. 13, AND DROVE HOME. AFTER 2 SHORT ERRANDS ON SUNDAY, THE FIRE BROKE OUT. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER BEING FIXED BY MINI. MINI USA HAS AUTHORIZED THE WORK. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT DAMAGE THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSED TO SURROUNDING PARTS UNDER THE HOOD. SO MANY SENSORS AND CIRCUIT BOARDS/ELECTRICAL PARTS... SERVICE MGR SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY A "HOT WIRE." COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN? I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AGAIN. I HAVE THE DANBURY FIRE DEPT. RECORD IN AN EMAIL, AND PHOTOS OF MY CAR BEING TOWED. THE DEALER HAS THE INSPECTION REPORT OF DAMAGE. FIRE HAPPENED JUST HOURS AFTER CAR HAD BEEN WORKED ON. COINCIDENCE? THEY SAY SO. NO PROOF. BUT, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IF I HAD BEEN ON A ROAD/HIGHWAY (WHICH I ALMOST WAS), I WOULD'VE BEEN OVERCOME WITH SMOKE AND PROBABLY PASS OUT BEFORE PULLING OFF THE ROAD. THANK GOD I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME! VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I OWNED THE CAR FOR 7+ YEARS. ONLY OWNER/DRIVER. 73K MILES. MAINTAINED VERY WELL. NO GAS/FUEL/OIL/COOLANT LEAKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11083387April 5, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S US. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRESSURE PUMP FAILED, STATING THAT THE PRESSURE WAS AT ZERO PSI. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,774.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11083492April 5, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11066454February 1, 2018
ENGINE
THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE GADGE WOULD READ COLD THAT HOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC CLAIMED IT WAS A SAFETY MECHANISM TO KEEP CAR FROM OVER HEATING, HAD THE CAR FOR 4 WEEK AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT CORRECT ALSO. THIS WAS CITY IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, ONCE IT COOLED OFF IT WOULD START FINE, BUT THEN JUST CUT OFF, EACH TIME IT STOP I JUST HAD IT TOWED WHICH WAS 3 TIMES RATHER THAN DRIVING IT , I JUST DID NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065846January 30, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FRM CONTROL MODULE (AKA: FOOTWELL CONTROL MODULE) SUDDENLY FAILED AND DISABLED: BRAKE LIGHTS INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION BLINKERS EMERGENCY FLASHERS HEADLIGHTS STUCK ON DIM/LOW BEAM TAIL RUNNING LIGHTS STUCK ON (NOT RESPONSIVE TO BRAKING) ALL OVERHEAD, DOOR EDGE AND FOOT CABIN LIGHTS NONOPERATIONAL WINDOWS NONOPERATIONAL FUEL CAP LOCK NONOPERATIONAL LED INTERIOR LIGHTS NONOPERATIONAL OBD NONOPERATIONAL WITH IGNITION ON, CAR MUST BE RUNNING TO ENABLE PASSENGER AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY ON\OFF VERY UNSAFE AND A NONWEAR ITEM LIKE FRM SHOULD NOT JUST FAIL. FAILED WHEN STARTING VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11061437January 9, 2018
ENGINE
ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS. ON THE WAY TO THE MINI OF SAN DIEGO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AS I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS STILL IN MOTION AND ON THE STREET. I WAS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THERE WERE OVERHEATING LIGHTS AND SMOKE A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE SO DISCONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY APPOINTMENT WITH MINI OF SAN DIEGO. THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION LIGHT OF OVERHEATING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ONLY 15 MINS AWAY FROM MY HOME. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE MODEL OF MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR CURRENTLY. MINI OF SAN DIEGO IS TELLING ME THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY CAR BASED OFF THE VIN NUMBER. BUT BASED OFF THE YEARS AND MODEL, MY CAR FITS INTO THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11044039November 7, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY MINI COOPER WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. ON AUGUST 10, 2017 I MOVED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO GET TO SOME THINGS IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I BACKED IT BACK IN, I HEARD A POP AND WITHIN MINUTES I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAD TO CALL 911 AND THEY TOLD US WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE FIRE INCIDENT. WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT WE COULD MOVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WITHOUT STARTING THE CAR. ONCE PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY, MY CAR PROCEEDED TO SMOLDER TWO MORE TIMES. WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FINALLY ALL THE SMOKING STOPPED. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE BMW MOMENTUM DEALERSHIP SINCE AUGUST 12, 2017 WITH NO RESOLUTION ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO MINI, THEY WERE SENDING A FIRE SPECIALIST TO SEE MY CAR WHICH THEY SAID WOULD TAKE SOME TIME. MY CAR WAS FINALLY LOOKED AT THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER AND AS OF THIS EMAIL, BMW HAS NOT INFORMED ME AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THIS INCIDENT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. MY THREE KIDS WERE UPSTAIRS DOING HOMEWORK WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD I NOT PAID ATTENTION TO THE POP I HEARD AND CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR, THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH ALL OF US IN THE HOUSE. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE ABOUT 8 PM AS WE WERE WINDING DOWN FOR THE DAY. THE OUTCOME OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I WANT RESOLUTION TO THIS WHOLE INCIDENT WHICH AS OF TODAY BMW HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY INDICATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11043650November 6, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SOUTH BAY MINI IN TORRANCE, CA, 310-939-7150), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A CODE FROM THE SPARK PLUG. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER WAS PUNCTURED AND LEAKED OIL; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN MINI VEHICLES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING TENSIONER EXPLODED AND PUNCTURED THE VALVE COVER. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER (UNIVERSAL CITY MINI IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA, 8148-452-1139) AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11039530October 25, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AFTER A BATTERY FAILURE (LOSS OF CHARGE OR BATTERY REPLACEMENT) CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS RETURNED TO A DEALER TO "PROGRAM THE NEW BATTERY". THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE DISABLED INCLUDE: 1) TURN SIGNALS, 2) 4 WAY FLASHERS, 3) FRONT WINDOWS LOWERING, 3) CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS (NO CONTROL OF DIMS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS), AND 4) DASH LIGHTS (CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER). WHILE A SIMPLE WARNING LIGHT IN THIS SITUATION WOULD WORK, THE MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO DISABLE CRITICAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. IN MY CASE, ITS A 1 1/2 DRIVE IN AN UNSAFE CAR TO GET THE SITUATION CORRECTED. THIS SITUATION IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND OTHERS CAN BE FOUND WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11030007September 26, 2017
POWER TRAIN
I DO NOT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, BUT I AM IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. I HAVE ATTACHED 3 PHOTOGRAPHS OF A CLUTCH RELEASE FORK FOR THIS VEHICLE. NOTE THE RED ARROWS ON THE PHOTOS. PLEASE NOT THE PHOTO OF THE NEW CLUTCH RELEASE FORK AND THE STAMPING FLAW THE ARROWS ARE POINTING TO. NOW LOOK AT THE OTHER BROKEN CLUTCH FORKS AND WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE SAME POSITION ON THE FORK. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. IF THE FORK BREAKS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE CLUTCH WOULD STAY ENGAGED WHILE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11024205September 19, 2017
AIR BAGS
WE BOUGHT OUR CAR, A MINI COOPER CLUBMAN 2011, USED IN 2012, WITH APPROXIMATELY 32K MILES ON IT. THERE WERE ISSUES THAT THE MINI DEALER TOOK CARE OF WITHOUT ISSUE, BUT FOR THE LAST 4+ YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINING ON. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WITH REASON OR KNOWN CAUSE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL ISSUE, BUT WOULD GLADLY MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR A COSTLY 2K. WE DO NOT HAVE 2K TO SPEND ON A LIFE SAVING FEATURE THAT WAS INCLUDED AS A STANDARD FEATURE. LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT BE A MAINTENANCE ISSUE BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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