MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10425340September 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AFTER AN APPARENT SHORT OUT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM A FIRE OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TWO TO FIVE MINUTE LATER THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY GONE, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL AS WELL AS KEYS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT BOTH GAVE THEIR CONCLUSION OF THE CAR BEING ABSOLUTELY TOTALED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED AND OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424766September 12, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SEIZE. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425122September 12, 2011
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO A PARKWAY.HALFWAY THROUGH THE CURVE,MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I HIT MY BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB. I JUST MISSED HITTING A TREE. I CALLED A FRIEND TO SEE IF I LOST A BELT OR SOMETHING. WHEN HE STARTED THE CAR,THE STEERING WORKED. HE DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SHOP FOR ME AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM. THE MECHANIC AT THE SHOP TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. HE SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MINI COOPERS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THIS YET,BUT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IT HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424397September 9, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING UNIT ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STARTED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN LANE CONTROL. WITHOUT POWER STEERING I WOULD GRIP HARD AND BARELY MAKE IT THROUGH A TURN, THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD OPERATE CAUSING ME TO OVERSTEER INTO THE ADJACENT LANES OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN DRIVING CARS, TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES FOR OVER 40 YRS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A DRIVING SITUATION AS DANGEROUS AS THIS. I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW MY DAUGHTERS TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL I FEEL CONFIDENT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424357September 8, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I ALMOST HAD A TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILURE. TOOK MY '07 MCS INTO THE MINI DEALER FOR ITS 4 YEAR SERVICE. THEY FOUND THAT THE 'TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS WEAK AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED' OR 'TENSIONER WORN AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE CHAIN SLACK AND CHAIN NOISE'. I BOUGHT MY MINI NEW, IT NOW HAS 35464 MILES AND THIS SHOULD FALL INTO THE CATEGORY AS 'UNUSUAL'. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PART THAT WEARS OUT OR SUFFERS FAILURE WITH SO FEW MILES. AS I CHECKED OUT THIS FAILURE ON THE WEB I QUICKLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL BUT IS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY. I MISSED THIS BEING COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BY 2 WEEKS. MY LOSE? MAYBE; MAYBE NOT, AT LEAST I DID NOT DESTROY THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PAPERWORK THEY REPLACED THE CHAIN TENSIONER WITH AN UPDATED 551 TENSIONER, P/N: 11 31 7 607 551, @ $26.21 ($146 FOR INSTALLATION). IT APPEARS THAT MINI/BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE PART TO PREVENT PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, HOPEFULLY. IF THIS IS TRUE WHY DON'T THEY RECALL THE CARS AND JUST TAKE CARE OF IT. HAD I HAD THE BAD LUCK OF DESTROYING THE ENGINE MY OPINION ON ALL THEIR PRODUCTS WOULD HAVE DRASTICALLY CHANGED. I ALSO OWN A '11 BMW 335XI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424142September 7, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING TURNS ON AND OFF WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT DURING TURNS OR DRIVNG ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424148September 7, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO PARK HOWEVER, THE GEAR WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE OIL PUMP GASKET AND MAP THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,504. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424170September 7, 2011
STEERING
BOUGHT MY DREAM CAR, AN '05 MINI COOPER S MONDAY, LABOR DAY, AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING RANDOMLY CUTTING IN AND OUT. NOT AWESOME! EACH TIME, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE, HOWEVER IT WOULD SEEM THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING, LIKE, AT ALL, LET ALONG HAVING TO 'CYCLE' THE ENGINE EACH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423907September 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COPPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423932September 6, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, DRAINED BATTERY DUE TO POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUING TO RUN AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424011September 6, 2011
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE LAST THURSDAY AND UPON EXITING THE POWER STEERING WENT. I WAS TERRIFIED. I AM JUST LUCKY I HAVE A STRAIGHT EXIT FROM THE INTERSTATE; IF THERE HAD BEEN A CURVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INTO THE WALL OR OFF THE ROAD. MY PERSONAL FEELING IS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS FAILURE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR, SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? I LIMPED MY MINI TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WILL COST $1257.00 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN. I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MINI AS IT IS UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423225September 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE HEATER CORE IS PLACED NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN THE FOOT WELL. THE CAR DESIGN HAS THE HEATER CORE ON ALL THE TIME. THE ONLY INSULATION BETWEEN THE HEATER CORE AND THE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS A PLASTIC COVER WHICH BECOMES TOO HOT TO TOUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423144September 3, 2011
STEERING
TRAVELING BACK HOME TO A SHORT DRIVE FROM A LOCAL STORE. WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAD MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING THE CAR, I THINK IT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXERT THE NECESSARY FORCE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423162September 3, 2011
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY FROM STARTUP.TRIED TO RESET BY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL BUT DIDN'T WORK.MINI SERVICE WANTS 100.00 TO JUST EVALUATE THE PROBLEM.THE PROBLEM IS THAT MINI /BMW KNOW THERE IS DEFAULT WITH THE SEAT SENSORS BUT WON'T TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY AS THE CAR OWNERS ARE PAYING $1500-2200 + TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IN THE CAR AT THIS POINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423062September 2, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STEERING
WE PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER JUST WEEKS AGO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. ALMOST INSTANTLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE LA FREEWAY. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT WE NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. WE PURCHASED THIS AND HAD IT INSTALLED FOR APPROX.$1200.00. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAN STILL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, SO THIS ISSUE WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER ON TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY.(STILL NO POWER STEERING WORKING)THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $7150 APPROX. AND THIS IS BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN DIAGNOSE THE STEERING FAN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS, MINI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AS THE REPAIRS ARE MUCH MORE THAN THE CARS VALUE AND THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR ANOTHER ONE. AS OF TODAY MY DAUGHTER HAS TO WALK/BUS TO SCHOOL AND THE MINI SITS.WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423075September 2, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED IN OPERATION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AREA ON THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ENGAGED FORCEFULLY IN ODER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA07011 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: PUMP) WHICH THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,450.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423112September 2, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
PARKED THE VEHICLE AFTER A SHORT TRIP OF APPROX. 10 MILES. LEFT CAR FOR APPROX 5 TO 7 MINUTES. RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY CABLE. GOT THE BATTERY UNHOOKED AND SMOKE DIMINISHED. TRIED RESTARTING CAR, RESTARTED FINE, BUT NO POWER STEERING. ASSUMING THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT UP IN SMOKE. FORTUNATELY, DAMAGE SEEMS TO BE LIMITED TO PS PUMP... NOT SURE YET IF SMOLDERING/SMOKE INDICATES ANY OTHER DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD OR NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422707August 31, 2011
STEERING
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME...I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA DURING THOSE TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423458August 31, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2011 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE TRAVELING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. BMW REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUNDS THE VEHICLE HAD AN OVER REV-MISSED SHIFT THAT WAS AN AFTER MARKET PART THE CONSUMER HAD INSTALLED. AN INSPECTION SHOWED A BORE SCOPE WAS USED TO VERIFY THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CROWN OF ONE PISTON INDICATING THAT DURING THE OVER REV, A VALVE HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PISTON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422646August 30, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY MINI COOPER SPONTANEOUS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THURSDAY 8/25/11 BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPEN, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I STATED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR([XXX]) THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING RIGHT AND I'M SURE SOME SERVICES NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT (OIL CHANGE ETC....). MY SERVICE TECH ([XXX] VISTA MINI COCONUT CREEK) PUTS THE KEY INTO THE CARD READER NOPE NOTHING SHOWED UP YOU GOOD TO GO I EXIT WITH SOME DOUBT ON MY FACE NEVER THINKING TWICE, COULD BE MY MIND PLAYING CAR GAMES. I'M REALLY ADMIT ABOUT FUNNY NOISES, AND SINCE THE DEALER ISN'T FAR FROM MY JOB. I'D JUST STOP ON BY FOR A CHECK UP. I DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE. SATURDAY 8/27/11 (10:30P) CAR SITTING FROM A SHORT DRIVE TO HAVE DINNER. CAME HOME (10PM) PARKED THE AND DIDN'T HEAR OR NOTICE ANYTHING. I USUALLY TAKE A QUICK WALK AROUND THE CAR. SUNDAY 8/28/11 (4:00P) POLICE CAME KNOCKING " ARE YOU THE OWNER OF A BLACK MINI COOPER " YOUR CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE PLANTATION FIRE DEPT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING OUT THE FIRE/FLAMES. AS I WALK OUT THE SHOCK OF MY CAR BURNING. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE FIREMEN. HE COULDN'T PIN POINT WHERE THE FIRE STARTED AND THE CAUSE UNKNOWN BUT HE SAID WHEN THEY STARTED TO HOSE IT DOWN IT LOOKED AS IF THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ANOTHER FIRE DEPT GUY SAID FROM THE LOOKS OF THIS INCIDENT, WHAT'S SEEMS TO CAUSE THIS WAS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING 8'FT IN THE AIR. THE CAR IS DAMAGED AND NOT REPAIRABLE,THERE'S NO ENGINE THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BESIDES THE SOME ASHE, MELTED METAL, THERE'S NO WINDSHIELD, THE HEADLINER IS COMPLETELY GONE, SIDE GLASS ARE BLOWN OUT. ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BMW YOU HAVE CAUSED SOME DAMAGE, LEAVING ME SECOND GUESS YOU INTEGRITY OF YOUR CRAFTSMANSHIP/FLAGSHIP AUTO. SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION. UPDATED09/07/11 *BF [XXX] *TR UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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