MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10404713May 30, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A CONTINUING SOUND LIKE A FAN OR ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING CONSTANTLY. THIS NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE POWER STEERING CEASED COMPLETELY DURING A PARKING MANEUVER. AFTER THE STEERING FAILED THE PREVIOUSLY NOTED NOISE STOPPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403680May 29, 2011
STEERING
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING....MADE IT HOME...CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS...ALL OKAY....GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING TO TAKE TO SERVICE STATION AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN...GARAGE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM...SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW FOR FEAR OF LOSS OF STEERING AGAIN! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403568May 27, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILS. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS AFTER JUST STARTING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND I SEE NO PATTERN TO IT'S OCCURRENCE. TYPICALLY IT IS REMEDIED BY TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTING. THERE HAS BEEN A FEW OCCASIONS WHERE IT WILL SPUTTER IN AND OUT BEFORE IT GOES OUT COMPLETELY BUT THE MOST COMMON OCCURRENCE IS WHEN I START THE CAR, THERE'S IS NO POWER STEERING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402791May 26, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE FOR A REPLACEMENT TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE FAILURE CAUSING A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402729May 25, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER HE HEARD A NOISE COMING IN THE ENGINE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402775May 25, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING, REQUIRING AN EXTREME EFFORT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL OR MAINTAIN WHEEL POSITION IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE MANEUVERING ON A CURVED SECTION OF HIGHWAY. FAILURES BEGAN AS WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND IS NOW PERMANENT. BMW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WERE FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEM, STATING THAT THE CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP, A NON-REPAIRABLE PART. BMW HAD THE PART IN STOCK, AND WITH INSTALLATION, GAVE AN ESTIMATE EXCEEDING $600.00 TO REPLACE PUMP. DUE TO THE COST, I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIR DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402558May 24, 2011
STEERING
EXITING THE FREEWAY ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO STEER IT TO SAFETY. SOME SMOKE COMING UNDERNEATH. LOCAL MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE COOLING FAN FOR THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING HAD STOPPED AND EVERYTHING HAD OVER HEATED. MULTIPLE WIRES AND COMPONENTS COMPLETED MELTED. LOCAL MECHANIC DECLINED TO FIX AND TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO BMW/MINI TO FIX. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402304May 22, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A SNOW COVERED CURVY ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE DITCH. NO DAMAGE, WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH BEFORE CRASHING. THANKFUL NO OTHER CARS WERE IN THE OTHER LANE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402345May 22, 2011
STEERING
INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSING UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402284May 21, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL CAR IS CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402289May 21, 2011
STEERING
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOOSES POWER STEERING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER ASSIST CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTLY, AND WILL OCCASIONALLY COME BACK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THOUGH MORE OFTEN IT BEGINS WORKING THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THE FREQUENCY IS VARIABLE - IT GOES MONTHS WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND THEN MAY HAVE THE PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE DAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402097May 19, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SHORT FALL OF TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAUSING OIL TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE PROBLEMS AND/OR TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401525May 18, 2011
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING BEGAN TO STOP WORKING AS I RODE. I WOULD PARK THE CAR, SWITCH THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD COME BACK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BOTH IN BACK ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. FINALLY LAST MONTH IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND NOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND REALLY A DANGER TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401535May 18, 2011
STEERING
1. NO EVENTS LED UP TO THIS FAILURE. IT OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY AFTER TURNING OFF MY CAR. 2. POWER STEERING PUMP STAYS ON AFTER CAR'S ENGINE IS OFF, AND THE PUMP WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND PERSISTS UNTIL THE CAR IS RESTARTED OR THE BATTERY DIES. THE CONSTANTLY ON POWER STEERING PUMP IS KNOW TO LEAD TO FIRES OR SPONTANEOUSLY KILLING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AROUND TURNS. 3. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR LEAVE THE BATTERY UNPLUGGED IN THE CAR. I CURRENTLY HAVE ORDERED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401378May 18, 2011
STEERING
MINI COOPER S 2004- POWER STEERING FAILURE, GOING IN AND OUT, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE AROUND CORNERS AND DISTURBING TO SAY THE LEAST. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET, APPARENTLY THIS IS A 'COMMON' PROBLEM ON MINI COOPERS OF THIS MANUFACTURING PERIOD, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I'M AFRAID THAT IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT THAT IT WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE COST OF REPAIR (THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE) WILL BE MORE THAN I CAN BEAR AS FAR AS COST. THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A COST THAT SHOULD BE BURDENED BY THE OWNER, IT IS AN ISSUE OF SAFETY AND SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401425May 18, 2011
STEERING
MAY 17TH WHILE TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE AT THE EFFORT SUDDENLY NEEDED TO TURN MY VEHICLE, CAUSING ME TO GO WIDER THAN NEEDED. NEARLY HIT ANOTHER MOTORIST TURNING LEFT IN OTHER DIRECTION. STOPPED TO CHECK FOR LOW FLUID LEVEL AND FOUND NO DEFICIENCIES. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME WHERE I WILL PARK THE CAR INDEFINITELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401459May 18, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401227May 17, 2011
STEERING
BOUGHT MINI COOPER USED FROM DEALER JUST PRIOR TO GOING TO FLORIDA FOR 2 WKS. WHEN ALMOST HOME FROM FLORIDA POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MY 3000 MILE USED CAR WARRANTY HAD JUST RAN OUT SO CHECKED ON RECALLS, FOUND NONE. BUT I DID FIND OUT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY AND FOUND THE STEERING SOMETIMES WORKED AND AGAIN WOULD CUT OUT WITH NO WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN NOT EXPECTED. THEN ONE DAY I CAME HOME AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE STEERING PUMP WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET IT TO STOP. WHEN I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY IT WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED I NEEDED TO BITE THE BULLET AND TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND DROVE IT TO A MINI COOPER DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP THAT WAS BAD, THAT IT HAD INTERNAL ELECTRONICS THAT FAIL. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1072.38 AND THAT CAME WITH A 2 YR WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTE ~ THE VEHICLE HAD A WHIRRING NOISE WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT I THOUGHT WAS FROM THE TURBO. I FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS THE STEERING PUMP MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN THE NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED IT WAS A LOT QUIETER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401265May 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2006 MINI COOPER S. MAKES HORRIBLE ENGINE NOISE AND UPON INVESTIGATION MINI FOUND THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES AND HAS BEEN MINI MAINTAINED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO 4K WHICH IS ABSURD FOR A PART THAT SHOULD LAST.I FOUND A MECHANIC ( NOT MINI) THAT CAN DO THE WORK FOR 2,800 BUT EVEN THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. MINI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. NOW, WE CAN'T EVEN TURN ON THE FAN BECAUSE IT WILL TRIGGER A CHAIN REACTION OF PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401288May 17, 2011
STEERING
MY 2005 MINI COOPER VIN # [XXX] JUST LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREET, TRIED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART, IT WORKS BUT DECIDED TO JUST PARK IN THE GARAGE SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO GET INVOLVE IN A ACCIDENT. THEN SUDDENLY, A WEIRD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LEFT IT OVERNIGHT , NEXT THING MY CAR BATTERY DIED AND COULD NOT START THE CAR. JUMPED START IT LET MY HUSBAND DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND VERY HARD TO MANEUVER EVEN JUST MAKING A 45 DEGREES ANGLE AND RETURNED TO A DRIVING POSITION. I JUST DECIDED TO JUST PARK IT AND WAIT UNTIL A POSSIBLE RECALL. 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

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