MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10342365July 10, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LEAVING FROM WORK AROUND 5:00 PM (CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT SINCE 7:20 AM), I DROVE FOR A MILE OR LESS WHEN AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BY MY SIDE TOLD ME ABOUT SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE TO THE CLOSET PARKING LOT, OPENED THE HOOD (THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE) AND I COULD SEE 2 WIRES RED HOT. I WENT TO TRY TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND LUCKILY AND AMBULANCE ON DUTY (COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE HE HAD A PATIENT) GAVE ME A SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR WITH THE WATER THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 10" TALL ON A SMALL AREA, ALREADY TOUCHING THE PIPES THE COME OUT OF THE TURBO (PIPES THAT BRING AIR INTO TURBO AND OUT TO THE INTERCOOLER) AND WITH THE 500ML BOTTLE OF WATER I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OFF. DALER (MINI OF STERLING) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE (CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY). DEALER FOUND THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP SHORTED, AND THIS MUST HAVE CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT. DEALER REPLACED AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND WIRES AND PARTS THAT BURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEN WITH MINI USA, BOTH REFUSED TO CHANGE ENGINEERING TO PREVENT A FUTURE FIRE IN CASE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HAS A SHORT-CIRCUIT AGAIN. *TR UPDATED 1/27/2012 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342291July 9, 2010
WHEELS
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MINI COOPER ON THE HIGHWAY FROM LA TO SAN DIEGO. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING IN MY CAR EVAPORATED AND I ALMOST HIT THE SIDE OF RAIL. THE CAR WOULD RUN BUT I COULD HARDLY STEER IT. I TOOK IT INTO A AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SEVERAL MINI COOPERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE FOR MINI COOPER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALREADY GOT A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING $145.00 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR EVEN THOUGH WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT TELL ME HOW LONG THIS WOULD TAKE TO GET RESOLVED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS AND THIS PART REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. IN ADDITION, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET MY CAR FIXED WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE THE DOT TO RECALL THIS CAR AND MAKE THE PART AND SERVICE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342117July 8, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2003 MINI COOPER (AUTOMATIC) AT 43,000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER, NO PSP PROBLEMS UNTIL A MONTH AGO WHEN SUDDENLY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. ONCE RESTARTED THE PROBLEM STOPPED. JUST TRIED TO SELL THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN OPTED OUT OF THE SALE AFTER INSPECTION AS THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ($7,000+). BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SEEM COMMON WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE NET; BOTH SHOULD BE RECALL ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342119July 8, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS
BOTH MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ILLUMINATED DEACTIVATING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REMAINS ON WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS VACANT WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB) I'M AWARE OF RELATING TO THIS MALFUNCTION: TSB: SI M-65-02-06 AIRBAG WARNING ILLUMINATED, FC55 FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 31, 2005 - APRIL 25, 2006. NHTSA 10026024 (MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED IN AUGUST 2005 AS INDICATED ON MY DRIVER DOOR PANEL). TSB: 720106 AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP. NHTSA 10019981. I SPOKE WITH 2 SERVICE MANAGERS AT MINI INDICATING FAULTY DETECTION MAT, PARTS WERE IN STOCK AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. MY ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPAIR IT, FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VEHICLE OR TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTION MATS TO 10 YRS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR SPECIFIC BMW MODELS RANGING FROM MY04 THROUGH MY06, WHO OWNS MINI OF NORTH AMERICA. I'VE READ SEVERAL FORUMS RELATING TO THIS ISSUE, ONE OF WHICH STATES MINI DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MODELS PRIOR TO MY05, BUT PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED IN MODEL YEARS THEREAFTER AS MENTIONED IN MY COMPLAINT AND OTHER NHTSA BULLETINS. I CONTACTED MINI OF NORTH AMERICA WITH NO POSITIVE RESPONSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341669July 6, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE MINI FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WE MADE A TURN ON OUR ROAD HOME AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL! WE FEEL VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE LIVE ON A WINDY ROAD THAT HAS MANY LARGE REDWOOD TREES ON THE SIDES OF THE ROAD WITH A CREEK DOWN A RAVINE. WE COULD HAVE EASILY HIT ONE OF THOSE TREES HEAD ON. OR IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO TURN THE WHEELS WE COULD HAVE ENDED UP AT THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE IN THE CREEK! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341462July 5, 2010
STEERING
2003 MINI COOPERS- POWER STEERING FAILED DURING EXIT FROM NYS THRUWAY-RAN OFF THE RAMP DUE TO UNEXPECTED LOSS OF STEERING POWER. NO DAMAGE OR INJURY- TURNED ENGINE OFF- RESTARTED- POWER STEERING BACK ON. CONDITION HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341074July 2, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2005 MINI COOPER S WITH 42K MILES. DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I CAN ONLY EXIT THE CAR BY USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WHICH REQUIRES OPENING THE WINDOW. IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS WHICH REQUIRES RAPID EXIT FROM THE CAR AND THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. 42K MILES IS FAIRLY LOW AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. MINI COOPER CLAIMS THIS IS 'NORMAL' WEAR. IT IS NOT 'NORMAL' WEAR AND IS INDEED A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH APPARENTLY HAPPENS TO MANY MINI COOPERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340585June 29, 2010
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME APPROPRIATELY RESULTING IN HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FACE. I HAD HEAD CONCUSSION AND MULTIPLE FACE BRUISES, INCLUDING A DEEP CUT IN MY LIP. MINI (BMW) IS INVESTIGATING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10339677June 23, 2010
STEERING
ON A 2004 MINI COOPER S, INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING. CAR HAS 43,000 MILES. MANY SIMILAR CASES REPORTED IN ONLINE FORUMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339788June 23, 2010
STEERING
MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED VERY WELL, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, A 100 POINT INSPECTION AT 25,000 MILES, COOLANT FLUSH, BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH, ETC. SHE WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK ON A COUNTY ROAD. AS SHE ROUNDED A CURVE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE FAILURE HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE THIS TIME. SHE COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL, ACCORDING TO HER DESCRIPTION AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING AN ONCOMING CAR. SHE DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND CALLED ME AT WORK. I LEFT WORK AND EXCHANGED CARS WITH HER. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I CALLED THE MINI DEALER, WHICH IS ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY AND THEY CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT VERY COMMON BUT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY SUGGESTED THIS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TRACK ACTIVE FAULT CODES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT BMW WAS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS WHO SHARED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. SOMEONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE INJURED OF KILLED BEFORE BMW IS FORCED TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY ADDRESSING THIS SIGNIFICANT, KNOWN, SAFETY ISSUE. OH AND BY THE WAY, I JUST PICKED MY DAUGHTER'S MINI UP FROM DREYER AND REINBOLD BMW IN INDIANAPOLIS. THE BILL WAS $1200. IRONIC THAT BMW CAN AFFORD TO INVEST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INDY CAR SPONSORSHIP BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336663June 16, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
JUST DRIVING ALONG AND CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER, AND THEN TRANSMISSION LET GO. ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE GEARS WERE GONE. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336369June 15, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,392.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335450June 9, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2009 MINI COOPER S. DROVE CAR 20KM TO LOCAL MALL. CAME OUT TO RETRIEVE WALLET FROM GLOVE BOX AFTER BEING IN MALL FOR APPROXIMATELY 20MIN. CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT MOST LIKELY STARTED IN THE DASHBOARD SOMEWHERE. NO WARNING SIGNS OF IMMINENT DANGER ON MY DRIVE TO THE MALL. CAR ONLY SERVICED AT AUTHORIZED BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP. 30K KMS ON CAR. CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335358June 8, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS FAILED RENDERING THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUIRKY, BUT I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS DRASTICALLY AND MAKES A VERY AUDIBLE WHIRRING SOUND. THE ONLY OPTION FOR REPAIR IS A COMPLETE NEW PART INSTALL AT THE DEALER COST OF $8,800. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF IDENTICAL STORIES ABOUT THE CVTS ON MINI COOPERS AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT SEEMS FROM RESEARCH THAT THIS PART COMMONLY FAILS AND REPLACING WITH A DEFECTIVE PART AT A COST NEAR NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS IS ABSURD AND DISGUSTING. IT IS COST PROHIBITIVE TO KEEP MY CAR OPERATING AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WORTHY OF RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335065June 7, 2010
STEERING
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR HAD JUST BEEN INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO OTHER MECHANICAL OR ROAD HAZARD ISSUES BUT I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE. IN ACTUALITY, IT REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF STRENGTH--UNEXPECTEDLY SO IT FELT FROZEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335092June 7, 2010
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/24/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334416June 3, 2010
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTHING HITTING THE SUNROOF, JUST SHATTERED WITH GLASS FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334175June 1, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MI MINI COOPER 2003 GOT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ,NEED A PART THAT THEY CALL ,ACTUATOR MOTOR,,IS NO WAY TO FIND THAT PIECE ,NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR 8000 $ DOLLARS. MANY MINI COOPERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOBODY CAN DO A RECALL TO BMW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10333922May 31, 2010
STEERING
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WHY HAS THE NHTSA ADMINISTRATION TAKEN NO ACTION AGAINST MINI AND BMW FOR THE KNOWN DEFECT IN POWER STEERING SYSTEMS. I AM WONDERING, AMID ALL THE TOYOTA CONTROVERSY AND RECALLS, ESPECIALLY NOW ABOUT THE BROKEN STEERING RODS, WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL, OR AT LEAST A PUBLIC WARNING OF SOME KIND ABOUT STEERING ISSUES ON THE MINI. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IN MINI'S OF ALL AGES AND MILEAGES ARE PRONE TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 MINI COOPER S ACROSS A SNOWY AND ICY MOUNTAIN PASS HERE IN WASHINGTON STATE. IT WAS QUITE A SURPRISING, FRIGHTENING, AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST. OTHERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH YOU FOLKS, AS WELL AS THE COMPANY, BUT SO FAR AS I KNOW NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IF INJURIES AND FATALITIES ARE THE CRITERIA, HOW WOULD ANYONE KNOW THE STEERING WAS AN ISSUE UNLESS THEY HAD EXPERIENCED THE TERROR OF LOSING STEERING AT SPEED? THIS ISSUE PROMPTED A RECALL IN GREAT BRITAIN. WHY NOT HERE. EVEN A CURSORY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALS THE DEPTH OF THE PROBLEM, YET NEITHER BMW NOR MINI HAVE TAKEN ANY STEPS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE HERE IN THE US. CAN YOU TELL ME WHY?? [XXX] *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331271May 19, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 MINI COOPER WITH FAILING CVT TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DISCONTINUED BY MINI AND SUBSEQUENTLY IS FAILING AT LESS THAN 100K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS ABRUPT AND CAN POSSIBLY LEAVE THE PASSENGER/S STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSULTED WITH MINI OF GREENVILLE , SC THIS WEEK AND THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILING TRANSMISSIONS AND COST TO REPLACE IS APPROXIMATELY $8000. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A TRADE THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE $1000 FOR THE VEHICLE ON A TRADE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE POSTS FROM IRATE OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PREMATURE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS. WITH THE INCREASED FOCUS ON VEHICLE SAFETY MINI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE PREMATURE FAILURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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