MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10458171May 11, 2012
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS IN A TURN AT 30 MPH. STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND NEARLY CAUSED THE CAR TO LEAVE THE ROAD DUE TO GREATLY INCREASED REQUIRED STEERING EFFORT. SHUT CAR OFF AND CHECKED FLUID LEVEL. FLUID LEVEL FOUND TO BE FULL. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH MINI'S. ADDITIONALLY, TRANSPORT CANADA HAS ISSUED A RECALL ALREADY ON THESE POWER STEERING PUMPS DUE TO CONTINUED FAILURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457886May 9, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2005 MINI COOPER S OUT OF NO WHERE BURIED THE NEEDLE ON THE THERMOSTAT AND WAS COMPLETELY OVERHEATED. UNABLE TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER AS I SMELT SMOKE AND POSSIBLY A SWEET SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HAVE NOW SEEN THAT THIS IS AN ITEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALL MINI COOPERS S FROM 2006 TO 2011, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE 2005 DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BOARD ETC. AS THOSE AND I FEEL THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE ALSO RECALLED FOR THIS ITEM. OBVIOUSLY, I CAN NOT DRIVE IT AND THE PRICE IS OUTRAGEOUS TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457919May 9, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY INCIDENT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457953May 9, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PLACED A CUP IN THE CUP HOLDER AND SOMETHING PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE CUP, CAUSING LIQUID TO LEAK. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457802May 8, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHILE PULLING UP TO A SIGNAL WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DOWN, WE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE CENTER OF THE CAR. THE REST OF THE DRIVE, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT (6 SPEED MANUAL) INTO ANY GEAR. TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE LINKAGE WAS FINE. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROW OUT BEARING HAD FAILED, REQUIRING A $2300 CLUTCH REPAIR. THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY EXPENSIVE AND PREMATURE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457637May 7, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT 127,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457638May 7, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY MINI COOPER S HAS LESS THAN 60000 MILES ON IT WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE AND HAS HAD FAILURE OF THE FRICTION WHEEL (AKA TIMING CHAIN OR TENSIONER SYSTEM). THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE ISSUE ARE A VERY LOUD, RATTLING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION AND AS THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE, IT CONTINUES TO RATTLE DURING IDLING. THE MINI CORPORATION IS VERY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WHILE THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF WORKED WITH ME TO LOWER THE COST BECAUSE THEY SAY IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY EVEN WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE CORPORATION WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR HELP WITH THE COST TO FIX IT. ALSO, IF THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED IMMEDIATELY, IT WILL LEAD TO A BLOWN ENGINE. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL MINI OWNERS HAVE REPLACED THE FRICTION WHEEL ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM REAPPEAR NOT LONG AFTERWARDS. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING AND MINI NEEDS TO STAND UP AND ABSORB THE COST TO FIX IT AND/OR RECALL THE MINIS AFFECTED TO ENSURE IT NO LONGER HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457600May 6, 2012
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2ND TIME. THE 1ST. WAS 08-11-10 @ 81,539 MILES.THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. PN: 65-77-184-432. COST FOR THE MODULE WAS $507.00. PART HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY FORM BMW. STARTED CAR FRIDAY MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WILL TAKE BACK TO DEALER. PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS A EXPENSIVE PART AND LABOR WAS $400.00 THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. AM I THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457436May 4, 2012
STEERING
THE CAR HAD BEEN PERFORMING NORMALLY AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE IT WAS SUDDENLY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER COMING OUT OF THE STORE THE CAR RESUMED STEERING CORRECTLY. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED-IT WAS TERRIBLY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND IN MY OWNERS MANUAL WHERE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS LOCATED. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE FLUID THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND FOUND THE LEVEL TO BE NORMAL. HE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING IN OTHER CARS OF MY TYPE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE EVERYTHING REPLACED-PUMP, FAN AND RESERVOIR AT A COST FOR PARTS ALONE AT $1033. I FEEL THAT IF THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALLED ITEM FOR SAFETY SAKE. THE RECALL EXTENDED ONLY TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 2005. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457532May 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
VEHICLE FIRE 5/2/2012. CAR PARKED FOR 4 HRS. RETURNED TO CAR & DROVE IT <50 YARDS FOR ~2 MINUTES (MOVED IT FROM STREET TO PARKING LOT). TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN STORE. RETURNED ~4 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED SMOKE/EXHAUST SMELL; PRESUMED IT WAS ADJACENT CAR. UNLOCKED CAR. CAR WOULD'T START (NO LIGHTS/ELECTRICAL AT ALL). I THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. OPENED HOOD THEN NOTICED FLAME/FIRE INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WENT IN STORE, GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT FIRE OUT. INVOICE WAS >$3500 FROM MINI DEALER. THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT: "VERIFIED POWER STEERING PUMP HAS OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS BURNED UP INTERNALLY AS WELL AS EXTERNALLY (MELTING ALL THREE CONNECTORS AND THE WIRING LEADING TO THEM). INSPECTED POWER STEERING COOLING FAN AND VERIFIED COOLING FAN IS SEIZING UP WHICH VERY LIKELY LED TO THE OVERHEATING AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. REMOVED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX TO EXAMINE MEGAFUSE POWERING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FUSE IS INTACT AND DID NOT BURN UP. INSPECTED POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND IT APPEARS THE RUBBER SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE WAS SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT/MELTING OF THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR (IT'S IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CONNECTOR) AND IT APPEARS THE HOSE HAS TAKEN A LEVEL OF DAMAGE FROM THE HEAT. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING PUMP, THE WIRING SECTION/CONNECTOR PIGTAIL FROM THE FUSE BOX (THIS IS THE MAIN POWER CONNECTOR), THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (CONTAINS TWO OTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE PUMP WHICH RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE), THE POWER STEERING FAN (LIKELY CAUSE OF FAILURE), POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE (HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC LINE WHICH HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE MAIN CONNECTOR MELTING AND SUBSEQUENT HEAT), AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COMPONENTS (O-RINGS, CRUSH RINGS, HOSE CLAMPS ECT...)" *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458361May 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I CAME HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED THE CAR IN HIS NORMAL PARKING SPACE ON THE BLACK TOP. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WITH THE PARKING BRAKE AND LOCKED THE DOOR. A MINUTE LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT REPORT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A KEY LEFT IN THE IGNITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457416May 3, 2012
STEERING
I WAS MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY I-25, TAKING A SHARP TURN AT 50 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. I NEARLY MISSED THE TURN AND ALMOST CRASH DOWN THE ON-RAMP, WHICH WOULD'VE PLACED ME HEADING PERPENDICULAR STRAIGHT INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457204May 2, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT UNDER THE HOOD WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456883April 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING FAN LOW SPEED STAGE FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF COOLING FAN FOR THE SAME MODEL UP TO MODEL YEAR 2004. BUT MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THUS, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2005. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456892April 30, 2012
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND STOOPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH BOSTON. NOW, THE POWER STEERING PUMP STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456911April 30, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURVE AND PUNCTURED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. IN ADDITION, THE WAS AN ABNORMAL HUMMING HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456669April 27, 2012
STEERING
AT 35 MPH I NOTICED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING (PS). I WAS DIVING ON 2 LANE WINDING COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS AND ENDED UP IN THE ONCOMING LANE BEFORE I REGAINED CONTROL. LUCKILY WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. THE MOST TERRIFYING THING IS WHEN PS IT'S DEAD FOR A WHILE AND THEN SUDDENLY COMES BACK ON. IF YOU ARE IN A CORNER, BECAUSE YOU'VE JUST BEEN MUSCLING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND PS COMES BACK YOU WILL BE SUDDENLY OVER-STEER AND VEER OUT OF YOUR LANE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456697April 27, 2012
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED 2006 MINI COOPER S BRAND NEW AT A MINI DEALER IN BOSTON. THE VEHICLE HAS 108K HIGHWAY MILES. I HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT AND TRANSITIONED TO A NATIONAL CAR CARE CHAIN. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE VEHICLE SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WHEN TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY INDICATED THAT I SHOULD BRING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. DELIVERED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY CVT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING AND FAILING. THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD SEIZED AND WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MINI DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME OVER 10K FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ONLY DID NOT INQUIRE ABOUT POWER STEERING AND THERE WERE NO PROGRAMS FOR CUSTOMERS IN THIS SITUATION. THIS COST IS MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WILL DO THE REPAIRS FOR 6K. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456723April 27, 2012
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY 04 MINI COOPER AT FREEWAY SPEED, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. I CAN STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP ALONE WILL COST ME OVER 600 DOLLARS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPLACING THE UNIT. THE REPAIR WILL COST ME IN EXCESS OF 1000 DOLLARS, WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD AT THIS MOMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE 04 MINI COOPER HAVE BEEN FILED. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU FORESEE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456722April 27, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES TO BREAK AND DROP INTO THE OIL PAN. ENTIRE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A VERY BUSY STREET (7TH STREET IN PHOENIX AZ) LEAVING ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO MOVE IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO A SIDE STREET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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