MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10700844March 21, 2015
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
OIL FILTER HOUSING FAILED DURING COMMUTE AND LOST ALL OIL. NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR REPAIR. RECEIVED THE CAR BACK NEXT DAY. FAILED PART IS CURRENTLY SUBJECT OF RECALL, BUT MY CAR DID NOT FALL INTO THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL SO I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. TWO DAYS AFTER REPAIR FOR THE OIL FILTER HOUSING, THE VANOS SYSTEM FAILED. ENTIRE VANOS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TOOK A TOTAL OF 6 DAYS FOR REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695554March 20, 2015
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVE SHIFT CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V201000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10695201March 18, 2015
ENGINE
A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE COLD. THIS "RATTLING" NOISE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE ENGINE HEATED UP & GO AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR IN THEY CHANGED THE OIL & TOLD ME THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. HE ASKED IF THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING WHICH IT WAS NOT. HE TOLD ME TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE TO SEE IF THE CAR OVERHEATS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC JUST TO BE SAFE. A FEW DAYS LATER, DRIVING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY EXHAUST & THE HOOD, CLOSER TO THE WINDSHIELD NOT THE FRONT BY THE RADIATOR. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE VENTS AND SMELLED "RUBBERY". THE THERMOSTAT SYMBOL APPEARED & THEN THE OIL LIGHT. I TOOK IT TO CARMAX WHO SAID "SRY, NO EXTENDED WARRANTY, NO HELP". I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME INITIALLY THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS BLOWN AND THERE WAS A MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE HOUSING (IT WAS CRACKED), HE REPLACED ALL THE PIPES FROM THE COOLANT: $482. THE MECHANIC CALLED & SAID THAT HE COULD NOT "BURP" THE VEHICLE & THAT IT MADE A WEIRD SOUND SO THEY HAVE TO "BLEED IT OVERNIGHT". THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE SO THEY HAD TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART & FIND THE PROBLEM. THE HEAD CASKET WAS BLOWN & QUOTED ME A REPAIR BILL OF $5000+ .THE OWNER OF THE SHOP CALLED BMW AND ASKED IF THEY COULD DO A "GOOD FAITH" REPLACEMENT WHICH THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO IF THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT... MINE HAD 85,000 MILES ON IT... FROM WHAT I AM READING ON THE COMPLAINT BOARD, THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE!! AS A RN IF THERE IS A FAILURE IN ANY PRODUCT WE IMPLANT IN PATIENTS, THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE RECALL, SO WHY, WHEN BMW CLEARLY KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE DO THEY WAIT FOR HARD-WORKING PEOPLE LIKE ME TO BE PUT IN THIS HORRIBLE SITUATION!!! I HOPE THAT BMW STEPS UP AN HONOR IT'S "GOOD FAITH" BEYOND 80,000 MILES AND REPLACE THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694818March 17, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694956March 17, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, ENGINE
STEERING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY LEAKS - REPLACE HYDRAULIC HOSE TWICE - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ENGINE COOLING - FAN RUNS AFTER SHUTOFF CONTINUOUSLY - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ELECTRICAL - DOORS, WINDOWS, SUNROOF FIRE OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE CAR IS MOVING AND WHEN IS PARKED. WILL DO THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR WHEN SITTING OUTSIDE (RAIN OR SHINE) - CAR UNLOCKS ITSELF AND WINDOWS ALL OPEN UP -KNOWN DEFECT - KIND OF DISTRACTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED -MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE. DEALERS WILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES UNLESS YOU MAKE THEM RECALL VEHICLES WITH MULTIPLE SMALL PROBLEMS ( NOT JUST ONE BIG PROBLEM) - THIS MODEL HAS 73 TSBS THAT DEALERS CHARGE YOU TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN AND DANGEROUS ISSUES. IN MY MIND, MANY SMALL PROBLEMS CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN A FEW BIG ONES - STEERING, DOOR LOCKS, COOLING - NOT GOOD. THIS IS AN OLD CAR BUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE OLD TOO - KNOWN TSBS SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO WARRANTY TIME FRAMES, THEY ARE STILL DANGEROUS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. WHEN THESE CARS ARE ROUTINELY SERVICED, THESE KNOWN/DANGEROUS ISSUES NEED TO BE CORRECTED OR THE CARS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I USED THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT, NOT THE FIRST ONE. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694585March 16, 2015
STEERING
ON THE FIRST DAY OF OCCURRENCE, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT AND HARD STEERING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MANAGED TO PARK SAFELY. STOPPED CAR AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. WAITED A FEW MINUTES. TURNED ON IGNITION AND NORMAL POWER STEERING RESUMED. OCCURRED ONE MORE TIME ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE COMING DAYS. IF IGNITION IS SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON, IT WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULT STEERING AND MAINTAINING OF LANE ESPECIALLY ON CURVED ROADS AND TURNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694299March 14, 2015
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. I PULLED LEFT TO CORRECT THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO FISHTAIL SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. SUDDENLY IT WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND DOWN A SMALL EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE REAR WINDOW SMASHED AND SNOW IN THE CAR. I WAS MINORLY INJURED WITH A SMALL CUT ON MY FACE AND BRUISES ON MY RIGHT SIDE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10694167March 13, 2015
SEATS
DRIVING TO SHOPPING CENTER, I HAD MY HEATED SEAT TURNED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE SEAT WAS UNUSUALLY WARM SO I TURNED THE SEAT DOWN TO THE MEDIUM SETTING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS I DROVE, SO I TURNED IT DOWN TO LOW, BUT IT STILL DID NOT COOL DOWN. IT BECAME ALARMINGLY HOT SO I TURNED IT OFF COMPLETELY BUT IT DID NOT COOL DOWN. AT THIS POINT I WOULD HAVE EXITED THE CAR, BUT I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE MALL. AFTER PARKING I DID MY SHOPPING AND DID NOT TURN THE SEAT ON FOR THE DRIVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DISCOVERED A 13 INCH BURN IN THE CONFIGURATION OF A WIRE ON MY LEFT BUTTOCK AND THIGH. (PICTURE TAKEN) BMW REPORT STATED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT AND THAT IT "PERFORMED AS IT WAS DESIGNED." THEY ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY BODILY INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10693827March 12, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK, PLEASE PUT IN PARK AND RESTART" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10693857March 12, 2015
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STARTING CUTTING OUT AND RABBITING AND FINALLY DIED AND COASTED INTO PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. TOOK TO BARON BMW AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS TOASTED BECAUSE OF LOW OIL PRESSURE FROM A HABITUAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR OIL FILTER HOUSING THAT THEY NEVER RECALLED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR CUTS OUT AND RABBITS ON ACCELERATION ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND EVERYTIME YOU TAKE OFF FROM A START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10693591March 11, 2015
WHEELS
I WAS ON THE I-40 HIGHWAY FROM GATLINBURG TO NASHVILLE. THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR PASSED THE HOLE THEN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BECAME CURVED. ALSO, I HAVE BLACK BOX IN MY CAR. I CAN PROVE IT. I NEED TO CHANGE MY WHEEL IT TAKES MORE THAN 500 DOLLARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10693596March 11, 2015
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (IN RED) COMING ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STARTED IN FEBRUARY, 2015. I'VE TOLD THAT MINI/BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT IS NOT MAKING ANY MOVEMENT ON ESTABLISHING A SAFETY RECALL ON AFFECTED CARS. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY PASSENGERS ARE IN THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, OTHER TIMES IT CYCLES THROUGH ON-OFF, WITH THE AUDIBLE WARNING, SEVERAL TIMES A MINUTE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692918March 9, 2015
SEAT BELTS
AFTER UNLATCHING THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT, THE BELT FOLD INTO THE RETRACTION MECHANISM SUCH THAT IT GOT STUCK AND COULD NOT BE USED UNTIL IT WAS MANUALLY UNSPOOLED, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THIS CAR AND PRESENTS AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT RENDERS THE SEATBELT POTENTIALLY UNUSABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692862March 8, 2015
ENGINE
I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY CITY STREET. THE MINI COOPER S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT START. THAT DAY WAS HEAVY SNOW AND THE ROADS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ON. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. AFTER SOMETIME WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK THE FOUR WAY FLASHERS QUIT WORKING. FORTUNATELY NO ONE RAN INTO THE CAR. I DISRUPTED TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT AN HOUR UNTIL THE POLICE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. RESEARCHING, I SEE THAT MANY MINI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE TIMING CHAIN FAILING. MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER USUALLY DRIVES THIS CAR. I AM GLAD I WAS DRIVING IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND FORTUNATE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692738March 7, 2015
ENGINE
KNOCKING, TIMING. OVER 2 THOUSAND SIGNATURES OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692563March 6, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
CAR STARTED MAKING RATTLING NOISE ON START UP, DROVE IT TO MINI, THEY SAY MY TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED AND HOUSING BROKEN, AROUND $2500, TO REPAIR. READING ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, EVEN THE BASIS OF A LAWSUIT AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692235March 5, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO SALT AND SHOULD GO AWAY OVER TIME. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,954.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692253March 5, 2015
AIR BAGS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED MINI COPPER MECHANIC THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MINI COOPER USA IS NOT OWNING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL AND REPAIR WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM. THE LEATHER SEAT IS PRACTICALLY NEW AND THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THIS FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT/EQUIPMENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR BMW'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692348March 5, 2015
AIR BAGS
I TOOK MY 2008 MINI COOPER IN FOR ITS ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK AND IT DID NOT PASS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY, IT DOES NOT DETECT THAT THERE IS IN FACT A PERSON OCCUPYING THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, AGAIN, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PART TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR RANGES FROM $1200-$1400 DEPENDING ON THE RETAILER. THE COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE LABOR HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE 2-4 HOURS DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY RE-UPHOLSTERED. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692115March 4, 2015
SUSPENSION
MY CAR WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN I DROVE ON A BUMPY STREET, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THERE INSPECTION , THEY SAID THE REAR SWAY BAR LINKS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE, MAYBE THE NEW PARTS WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE... THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER IS MAKING THE REPAIRS...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE REAR SWAY BAR LINK WAS NOT THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE NOISE. UPDATED 10/20/15 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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