MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10542036September 5, 2013
ENGINE
THERMOSTAT FAILURE, AS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER. CAR UNDRIVEABLE. WORLD WIDE BAC KORDER ON THE PART FOR 2007-2010 MINI COOPERS. NO KNOWN DATE OF WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE (OR IF) AND THE DEALER IN BEDFORD NH, STATED OVER 17,000 OF THESE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. A FAILED THERMOSTAT CAN LEAD TO STRANDED MOTORISTS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART IS NOTORIOUS FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALLABLE ISSUE? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542052September 5, 2013
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER IN MY STEERING. VERY HARD TO TURN, NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT CROSSING THE YELLOW LINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RECOVERED AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542037September 5, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542124September 5, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER HAS SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD AND THE PAD AND SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR THIS POPULAR HAS THIS KIND OF SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT MINI TO AT THE VERY LEAST TO COVER THE COST OF THE PAD OR SENSOR. UNBELIEVABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538235August 31, 2013
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MINI COOPER CALLED FOR RECALL LATELY TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING ON ALL MINICOOPER S TYPE MANUFACTURED ON THE YEAR 2007-2008. THEY USED EXACTLY THE SAME THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING IN ALL MINI COOPER NON- S TYPE AS WELL. I HAVE A MINI COOPER MANUFACTURED IN DEC. 2007 AND IT WAS RELEASED ON 2008. RIGHT NOW, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT I NEED NEW THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING IN MY MINI COOPER BUT THE MINI COOPER DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A NON-S TYPE ONE THAT WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED IN THE YEAR 2007-2008. THOSE NON-S TYPE MINI COOPERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. THEY USED COMPLETELY THE SAME PARTS WITH THE S-TYPE ONE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP TO THE MINI COOPER RECALL DEPARTMENT ASAP. THEY SHOULD NOT GET AWAY WITH IT. THEY SHOULD RECALL THE NON-S TYPE AS WELL FOR THE YEAR 2007-2008. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THIS CASE IN THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! HAPPY LABOR DAY! *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538114August 30, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WITH JUST OVER 16000 MILES ON MY 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN, MY CLUTCH IS BURNED OUT! HAVING IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST MINI DEALERSHIP AT 70 MILES AWAY, THEY ARE SAYING THE FAILURE IS DUE TO ABUSE AND IS NOT COVERED BY MINI USA WARRANTEE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVER FOR OVER 40 YEARS WITH MOST OF MY CARS BEING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, THE CLUTCH SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2011 & 2012 COUNTRYMAN MODELS AND NOW HAVE SAID...'AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES' THEY WERE MODIFYING THE CLUTCH ON THEIR 2013 MODELS! I AM STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH MINI USA ON WHO WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ON WHAT I SEE AS DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538148August 30, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538166August 30, 2013
ENGINE
UPON ACCELERATION WHEN THE TURBO CHARGER ENGAGES THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL WHICH CHANGES TONE DEPENDING UPON THE ACCELERATION. AFTERWARDS SMOKES STARTS LEAKING FROM THE HOOD SCOOP AND SIDES OF THE HOOD ITSELF. IT SMELLS OF BURNED OIL. I NOTICED OIL POOLING AT A CONNECTION POINT NEAR THE TURBO CHARGER UNIT. IN MID-AUGUST THE CAR FAILED IT'S EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO A CRACKED VALVE COVER. I HAD THE MINI DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE VALVE COVER WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK IN A LINE TO THE TURBO CHARGER THAT COULD START A FIRE AND TO WATCH MY OIL LEVEL CLOSELY. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS (AFTER NEARLY $900 ON THE VALVE COVER) IS SIMPLY BEYOND MY MEANS PRESENTLY. SINCE LEARNING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DANGERS THE CAR IS NO LONGER PARKED IN THE GARAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537986August 29, 2013
ENGINE
THIS VEHICLE HAS TWICE HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY TENSIONER, RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED FROM A DEAD STOP IN A PARKING LOT SO THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE. THE SECOND INCIDENT, OCCURRING 12/03/2012, MANIFESTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DE-ACCELERATING COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT, IN A REMOTE AREA. MINI COOPER SENT THEIR TECHNICIANS IN 2007 A "SERVICE BULLETIN," SHORT OF A RECALL, WHEN THE TREND WAS DISCOVERED AMONG ITS "R56' MODEL ENGINES IN 2008. I HAD WARNED MINI OF SOUNDS WHICH LATER WERE DETERMINED BY INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN'S "DEATH RATTLE" PRIOR TO THE FIRST FAILURE, WHICH THEY ATTRIBUTED TO THE CAR'S "GO-KART LIKE START UP." AFTER 6 MONTHS OF STRUGGLING, MINI AGREED TO 80% OF THE REPAIR COSTS, WITH A NEW TIMING CHAIN UNDER A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. OTHER FAILURES SIDELINED THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS IN THE INTERVENING TIME, AND DUE TO THE INCREDIBLE COST OF REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE GARAGED UNTIL REPAIRED. SO ALTHOUGH OVER A YEAR PASSED BETWEEN TIMING CHAIN FAILURES, ABOUT ONLY ABOUT 39K MILES WERE DRIVEN IN THAT TIME. AS OF NOW, MINI IS ONLY OFFERING 50% CULPABILITY, THIS AFTER STARTING A VOCAL TWITTER CAMPAIGN. I STILL OWE $10K ON A VEHICLE THAT REQUIRES UP TO $5K IN REPAIRS- A REPAIR WHICH WILL ONLY REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537800August 28, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINIS AND CERTAIN BMWS. MINI HAS VOLUNTARILY REPAIRED THE DEFECT IN SOME VEHICLES BUT IS REFUSING TO REPAIR OTHERS. MINI TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY'D THINK ABOUT A REPAIR. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SINCE ETHER HAVE REFUSED THE REPAIR REPEATEDLY TO OTHER CONSUMERS. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE, AND APPEARS TO CLEARLY BE A DEFECT RATHER THAN AN EXPECTED WEARING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537501August 27, 2013
AIR BAGS
RE: 2009 MINI COOPER AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT ON JUNE 19TH, 2013, AT @ 54,200 MILES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE TACHOMETER GAUGE AND CENTER SPEEDOMETER GAUGE AND AN OVERHEAD LIGHT WARNED THAT "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF". ON AUGUST 26, 2013, AT 61,396 MILES, THE MORRISTOWN, NJ MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $140 FOR THE DIAGNOSES OF THIS ISSUE. INDICATED ON RECEIPT THAT "MRS MODULE HAS AN INTERNAL FAULT..... FAULT CODE 93D7 INTERNAL CONTROL UNIT FAULT.... AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED.... PARTS AND LABOR COSTS $1100." SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT PART WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT EARLIER MODEL YEARS HAVE HAD CORRECTIVE ACTIONS PROVIDED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER. NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537261August 26, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS IS MY 3RD MINI COOPER S. ON MY PREVIOUS 2 CARS, A 2004 AND A 2005, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK BRAKES. BOTH CARS HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THEM. THE LINES ARE HELD IN PLACE BY "CLIPS" WHICH TRAP MOISTURE AND SALT. THIS CAUSES THE LINES TO RUST OUT AND FAIL, LOSING BRAKING ABILITY. SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A 50K MILE CAR AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. LOOKING AT MY 2006 YESTERDAY. CAR WITH ABOUT 50K MILES, BRAKE LINES LOOK TO ME LIKE THEY ARE READY TO FAIL FROM RUST. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ALL OF MY CARS, THIS MUST BE A COMMON SAFETY DEFECT CAUSED BY A BAD DESIGN. MINI DOES NOT OFFER ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALL I ASKED THEM TO DO WAS TO REPLACE THE LINES AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN DOING SO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537376August 26, 2013
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED IN MY 2002 MINI COOPER FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN 2011 AND I GOT A NEW PUMP AND HAD IT PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. TODAY, 08/26/2013 MY SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME OR THE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536937August 23, 2013
ENGINE
WHILE TURNING AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH, IN TURN, DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A QUOTE OF 7,200.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536991August 23, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THIS 2005 MINI COOPER STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. DEALER ADVISED ON 8/19/2011 THAT THIS WOULD COST $1229.88 TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT TOLD OWNER THAT THE AIRBAG WAS WORKING, IT WAS JUST THE SENSOR/LIGHT THAT DIDN'T WORK. MANY, MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MINI MODELS ARE ON THE INTERNET. DEALERS REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON AND THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE, PASSENGERS TAKE A RISK THAT THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537003August 23, 2013
STEERING
HELLO, I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING (LOOSING POWER) OF MY MINI COOPER S 2004 MODEL. IN JAN 2013, I BROUGHT MY 2004 MINI COOPER S FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER-ASSIST STEERING FUNCTION, WHICH INCLUDE POWER STEERING HOSE ($56.25), POWER STEERING PUMP ($710.00) AND LABOR ($315.00). IN MAY 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT FROM MINI. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN (BUT UNKNOWN TO ME) FOR MINI MODEL YEAR 2002-2205. I SUBMITTED THE REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST AND RECEIVED THE RETURN RECEIPT ON JUNE 10, 2013. SINCE THEN I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REACH TO MINI CUSTOMER RELATION BY PHONE (1-866-275-6464) 4 TIMES AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO ASK FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. MINI SHOULD LIVE UP TO STANDARD AND REIMBURSE MY EXPENSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536951August 23, 2013
STEERING
EHPS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE 4/11, I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 88327 MILES. 7/2011 THE POWER STEERING PUMP BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. 5/24/13 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MINI USA OFFERING TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF STEERING PUMP REPAIRS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 ' 6 WEEKS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE ONLY OTHER ITEM IN THE ENVELOPE WAS A CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARD. I CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS. 5/25/13 I MAILED COPIES OF THE LETTER AND THE RECEIPT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 7/16/13, WAS PUT ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES, THEN TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY RECEIPT. BUT THEY HAD THE EMAIL ADDRESS I HAD HAND WRITTEN ON THE RECEIPT (CORRECTED, AS THE EMAIL ON THE RECEIPT HAD CHANGED.) WHEN I POINTED THAT OUT, HE PUT ME ON HOLD AGAIN, THEN CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY VIN #. HOW, SINCE THEY LOCATED ME FROM THE VIN #? HE INSISTED I SEND IN THE INFORMATION AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE VIN# NOTED. I ASKED WHY I HADN'T RECEIVED ANY KIND OF LETTER SAYING MY DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT COMPLETE. HE TOLD ME THE LETTER WAS SENT THE DAY BEFORE MY CALL. 6 WEEKS AFTER THAT CALL, I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTER FROM THEM. 7/16/13 I RE- SENT ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. ON 7/26/13 I AGAIN SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED MY COMPLETE PAPERWORK AND ALL OF IT WAS IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF 7/24/2013. ON 8/23/13 I AGAIN CALLED CUSTOMER RELATIONS. AFTER VERIFYING MY NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, AND VIN # HE PUT ME ON HOLD. WHEN HE RETURNED, AT FIRST TRIED TO SAY MY INFORMATION WAS NOT ALL IN YET. I TOLD HIM I HAD SPOKEN WITH [XXX] WHO HAD CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION WAS ALL IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF JULY 24TH. HE GAVE ME FURTHER RUN-AROUND, WOULD NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION OF WHEN I MIGHT EXPECT PAYMENT AND IN GENERAL STONE WALLED ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536257August 20, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT COVER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,160.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536351August 20, 2013
STEERING
YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FORCED ME TO HIT A CURB. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE SIDE ROADS TO AVOID THE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. THE CURB DID DO SOME DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MAN DATE IS OCT 2004. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536121August 19, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON, AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" INDICATOR CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. CALLED MINI COOPER OF PENSACOLA, FL AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE BAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THEIR WAS AN ACCIDENT AT FULL FORCE. I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER AND FEEL THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE ACTIVE AND OPERABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FEEL BMW IS NEGLIGENT IN NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTING A MAJOR FLAW, AND INHERENT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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