MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10401285May 17, 2011
STEERING
HI, I'M THE THIRD OWNER OF A 2003 MINI COOPER S SINCE FEBRUARY 2010, LOCATED IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA. IN THE BEGINING OF MAY 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE BIG ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS RUNNING DISCONTINOUS, ALL THE LIGHTS (FRONT, BACK AND DASHBOARD) ARE DIMMING AND AFTER JUST AFEW MILES OF DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW EVERYDAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'VE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN AND IT SPINS FREE. NO BLOW OF THE F5 FUSE (AS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTED). IT HAPPEND TO ME IN THE LAST YEAR FOR 3 TIMES, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT, BUT FEW HOURS AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR, THE PUMP CAME BACK NORMALLY (EXCEPTING THE CONTINOUS WHINING NOISE OF IT). DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER YET FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINIS 2002-2006 AND I WANT TO CLAIM THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR TOO. HOPE THIS PROBLEM TO BECOME A RECALL SOON FOR MINI/BMW. [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
#10401039May 16, 2011
STEERING
MY 2005 MINI COOPER S HAS POWER STEERING WHEEL FAILURE. IT STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE CAR HIT 50,000 MILES WHICH I THINK IT'S STILL TOO LOW FOR ANY CARS. I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A MAIN RD. THE STEERING WAS SO DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS THAT I HAD TO COME TO HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT THE BUILDING IF I KEPT ON GOING AT FULL SPEED WHICH IS 30 MILES. SO GLAD THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. ENCOUNTERED A FEW MORE TIMES AFTER THIS. MY CAR IS NOW PARKED AT MY CONDO LOT AS IT COST OVER $1300 TO GET IT FIXED. IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS IS THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. A FEW OF MY FRIENDS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE OR LIFE WILL BE LOST. BMW/MINI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401036May 16, 2011
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE--PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WON'T GO OUT. ACCORDING TO WEB-FORUMS, PART FAILED IS A SEAT SENSOR. DEALER WANTS CLOSE TO $2K TO REPLACE IT, BUT IT FAILED A LONG LONG LONG TIME AGO. I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 2 OR 3 YEARS. CAN FIND TONS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AT HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES-9-2.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401154May 16, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENT WITHOUT WARNING. HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING COOLING FAN WOULD REMAIN ACTIVE WITHOUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,096. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400924May 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 MINI COOPER S - ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY VACUUM PUMP. WHILE DRIVING MY WELL MAINTAINED 2008 MINI COOPER S UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE ISSUED A LOUD, BRIEF METALLIC NOISE AND STOPPED RUNNING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL TURNING, BUT WAS NOT RUNNING. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VALVE TRAIN, BY REMOVAL OF VALVE COVER, THE EXHAUST CAM GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF AND SEVERAL VALVES HAD BEEN BENT. THE EXHAUST CAM WOULD NOT TURN. FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE MATTER INDICATES A FAILED VACUUM PUMP CAUSED THE EXHAUST CAM TO LOCK-UP AND SHEAR OFF THE CAM SPROCKET BOLT. THE PISTONS THEN IMPACTED THE VALVES CAUSING SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS CAR ALSO FELL VICTIM TO THE "COLD START" ISSUE AND HAD THE VALVE TRAIN REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES. MINI HAS INDICATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED, THEY WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. I SUGGEST THIS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT IN A PRODUCT RECALL OF ALL R56 EQUIPPED MINI VEHICLES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE VACUUM PUMP. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET, AND BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS EVIDENCED BY THE PROCEDURE EXECUTED TO REPAIR THE "COLD START" ISSUE INCLUDES A STEP TO REMOVE AND INSPECT THE VACUUM PUMP FOR BINDING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400874May 14, 2011
STEERING
I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER. I AM EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING LOSS THAT IS CURRENTLY A TEMPORARY CONDITION. IT OFTEN OCCURS WHILE EXITING ONTO HWY 10/61 CLOVERLEAF IN WOODBURY, MINNNESOTA. ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE NEARLY DRIVEN OFF OF THE ROADWAY DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. IT IS AN EXIT THAT IS TAKEN AT 45-50 MPH AND AN HILL DOWNWARD. WHEN IT OCCURS THE CAR VEERS HARD LEFT AS THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE STEERING REQUIRES A HEAVY DRIVER INPUT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS OFF THE ROADWAY BRIEFLY UNTIL I COULD MUSCLE IT BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY. A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. I AM SURE IF THIS OCCURRED WITH MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEHIND THE WHEEL, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS, SO I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. SEEMS CLEARLY TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS MORE AN ISSUE OF DESIGN THAT WEAR AND TEAR. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401628May 13, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY MINI COOPER HAS BECOME HARD TO STEER ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. AT THE ONSET, I WAS GOING AT ABOUT 15 TO 20MPH AND TURNING RIGHT. THE STEERING GOT HARD TO TURN AND I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STAYING OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HOOD UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS GOING ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN THIS OCCURRENCE, SO I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SINCE THEN IT HAS DONE THIS ON AND OFF SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. I CALL THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PUMP, COOLING FAN AND RELY SWITCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401604May 12, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN FAILED AT 55,000 MILES. WHILE IT HAPPENED IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK, IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CREATED A SERIOUS HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400677May 12, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399969May 11, 2011
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING AND DRIFTING ABNORMALLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AFTER A MINUTE, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROBABLY DUE TO ROAD CROWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 06/07/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 07/11/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400529May 11, 2011
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS SEATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400537May 11, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING IS NOT RELIABLE; SOMETIMES WORKS, AND SOMETIME DOES NOT. CONSEQUENTLY IT CAUSES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS PARTICULARLY IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. INITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS BARELY NOTICEABLE. WHEN CONSULTED, MINI SERVICE STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A FAULT BUT A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MINI. WITH TIME THE STEERING GOT PROGRESSIVELY LESS PREDICTABLE. AND, THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING POMP. ONE YEAR LATER, THE UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF POWER STEERING RETURNED AGAIN (SPORADICALLY), AND NOW COME (PERMANENT) FUTURE OF DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400054May 11, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WOULD PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM BEING TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399943May 10, 2011
STEERING
DROVE 70 MI FROM MILLTOWN, NJ TO VALHALLA, NY ON APRIL 26. POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING UPON ARRIVAL. TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING ENGINE REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. ON RETURN TRIP, FAILURE OCCURRED JUST PAST ESSEX TOLLS ON GARDEN STATE - ABOUT HALF WAY TO RETURN DESTINATION. CHECKED AND TOPPED FLUID. THE STEERING FAILS REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THIS PATTERN. IT APPEARS THAT POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING. I WILL REPLACE FAN. IF THIS DOES NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION, I WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WILL RETAIN THE OLD PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399882May 10, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FAILING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT OCCURS MAINLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING AWAY FROM A STOP. STOPPING AND RESTARTING CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IT DID HAPPEN ONCE AT FREEWAY SPEED ON A LEFT HAND OFF RAMP. IT MADE THE STEERING VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO TURN AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL HAD THE PAVEMENT BEEN SLIPPERY. THE POWER STEERING DID RETURN AFTER SLOWING AND COMPLETING THE TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399502May 9, 2011
STEERING
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING OF A 2005 MINI COOPER. IT OCCURRED AT LEAST TWICE (3/14/2011 AND 4/8/2011). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399512May 9, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH THE STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. UPDATED 06/13/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399557May 9, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT RANDOM TIMES. UPDATED 07/18/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399584May 9, 2011
STEERING
POWER SYSTEM ON MY 2002 MINI COOPER WENT OUT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. AND VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. BMW HAD BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I ALMOST CREAMED A COP... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399673May 9, 2011
STEERING
2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND NEARLY WRECKED THE CAR IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I DOUBT SHE COULD HAVE SAVED IT. GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF LIKE POSTS. ON ANOTHER QUICK SEARCH, AS OF 2006, 50 PUMP FAILURES RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF FIRE. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT POST. MAYBE 10% OF THE MINI DRIVERS POST ONLINE. THIS IS A DISGRACE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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