MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10933885December 8, 2016
ENGINE
PURCHASE PREVIOUSLY OWNED (BY 1 OWNER, LOW MILEAGE) 2010, MINI COOPER FROM DEALERSHIP 2 YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 70K MILES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING, TIMING CHAIN FAILED SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING $3100+ IN ESTIMATED DAMAGES. FIRST ISSUE I HAVE IS HOW DOES A TIMING BELT LAST ONLY 70K MILES ON A SUPPOSED HIGH-END, HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE LIKE MINI/BMW? EVERY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED (FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC) RECOMMENDS CHANGING TIMING BELT AROUND 100K MILES, SO THE THOUGHT OF CHANGING A TIMING CHAIN WAS FOR AT LEAST 20K MORE MILES NEVER CROSSED MY MIND. SECOND ISSUE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO MINI COOPER OWNERS (SAME MAKE AND MODEL) ON OR ABOUT 2010 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MINI COOPER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE ONLY LOCAL MINI COOPER SERVICE CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS SETTLEMENT...EVEN THOUGH THE CAUSE AND AFFECT OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM MY MINI COOPER EXPERIENCED WITH ONLY 70K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10934000December 8, 2016
ENGINE
MOTOR HAS RATTLE WAS TOLD IT WAS TIMING CHAIN BY MECHANIC AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED/ MINI SOLD A DEFECTIVE CAR AND KNEW ABOUT THIS DEFECT. NOW I AM OUT 10K IF THE CAR BREAKS AND HAVE NO CAR FOR FAMILY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10930020December 5, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER AIRBAG/SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS AND TONES ARE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYING PROBLEM IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE PASSENGER SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR AND RESOLUTION IS A COSTLY DEALER FIX WITH PARTS PRESENTLY BACKORDERED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928680November 29, 2016
STEERING
I REPLACED MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAN 2-3 YEARS AGO THEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW MY POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY GONE WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT IT WAS FAILING AND I HAVE TO PAY A $1,400 TO GET IT REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED SHOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927745November 24, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WE PARKED THE CAR AND 3 HOURS LATER IS WAS ON FIRE. IT SEEMS TO HAVE EMANATED FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP AREA BUT CANNOT TELL WITH ALL THE FIRE DAMAGE. THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927462November 22, 2016
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON. DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR 2010 NOT PART OF THE RECALL. COST TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE MAT $1340. MINI SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL BASED ON HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR 209/2010 MINIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927273November 21, 2016
ENGINE
IN SEPTEMBER, 2013, MY 2008 MINI COOPER HARDTOP, WITH THE N12 ENGINE, HAD THE TIMING CHAIN FAIL UNDER OPERATION. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AFFECTING STEERING, BRAKING AND ALL ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. TWO VEHICLES BARELY AVOIDED MY DISABLED VEHICLE. I CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TIMING-CHAIN TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL. I PAID OVER $8000 FOR A REPLACEMENT N12 ENGINE. WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE, IN JULY, 2016, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO TRY TO PULL OFF. THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND LEFT MY FAMILY VULNERABLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED MINI USA AGAIN, AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED TO THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT ON THEIR N14 ENGINE, IN THE S SERIES VEHICLE, THEY STILL REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE N12 ENGINES IN WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ARE MORE NUMEROUS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE AT SPEED WHICH IS UNSAFE IN THE EXTREME. MINI USA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL FOR EVERY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE N12 ENGINES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926514November 16, 2016
ENGINE
DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED VEHICLE OFF, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925328November 10, 2016
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND MY WIFE HEARD A NOISE- CHOSE TO IGNORE NOISE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAIN COULD CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL LEAVING MY WIFE ON MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH NO POWER AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING . ALTHOUGH BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS THEY HAVE BOB AND WEAVED FIXING ONLY THOSE THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO, LEAVING OTHERS ,WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY.. THE DEALER CHARGED US $ 1300 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. OUR PARTICULAR CAR SUPPOSEDLY WAS JUST OUTSIDE THE PRODUCTION RUN CUTOFF FOR FREE REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL CARS WITH THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. ADDITIONALLY, CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PLAY "WHAT IS THE NOISE DETECTIVE " IN ORDER TO DISCOVER A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL BMW NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY ALL EFFECTED OWNERS WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND WHAT ACTION TO TAKE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925158November 9, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925000November 8, 2016
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR EVEN THOUGH MANY CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WERE RECALLED. SCAN TOOL INDICATES PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS MODEL WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALLED VINS. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD WORK OR NOT IF IT WERE NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925054November 8, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEATS
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS RANDOMLY DISABLED (WITH WARNING LIGHT/TONE) WHEN MY 63# DOG IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. CAUSE IS A FAULTY "PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT MAT" THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT ONLY WHILE DRIVING SO CAN'T REALLY GET A PICTURE OF THE WARNING LIGHT SAFELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10925055November 8, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEATS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED WITHOUT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10924299November 4, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE MECHANIC SHOP PENDING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10919193October 26, 2016
ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN EVIDENTLY BROKE WITH LITTLE WARNING AND CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. BMW MINI HAS KNOWN OF THIS AND SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITHOUT EVER ISSUING A RECALL OR NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10918700October 25, 2016
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I DROVE 20 FEET OUT OF MY GARAGE AND SMELT A SURFER SMELL. I PUT MY CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN, PUT THE CAR IN PARK WALKED AROUND TO SEE IF IT WAS SMOKING OR IF THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE OR MUFFLERS. WHEN I COULD NOT DETECT WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM, I PUT THE TOP BACK UP, CLOSING IT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I LOCKED THE CAR AND WENT INTO MY GARAGE. AS I LOOKED BACK I SAW SPARKS COMING FROM THE VENT ON THE HOOD. I YELLED FOR MY HUSBAND & AS HE LOOKED FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER I CALLED 911 & FILMED THE CAR. WITHIN 30 SECONDS THE CAR WAS ON FIRE & WITH 90 SECOND TOTALLY UP IN FLAMES. NOTHING BUT THE SHELL OF THE CAR REMAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE & FIRE MARSHAL WERE PRESENT. ARSON WAS RULED OUT. I HAD A RECALL PART INSTALLED AT THE DEALER IN 2012 FOR POTENTIAL FIRES. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY SHUT OFF. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 20 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10917762October 21, 2016
AIR BAGS
"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEAT BELT ON, AND VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS WAS EXPRESSED TO MINI, WHO HAS A RECALL FOR EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM ON EARLIER MODELS, AND MINI HAS EXPRESSED THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS OCCURRING IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN WATCHING IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10917464October 20, 2016
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LAMPS BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. AT FIRST, THE SYSTEM SEEMED TO RESET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SWITCHED OFF, BUT OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, IT STOPPED RESETTING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE WARNING TONES, WOULD JUST GO ON AND OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. NOW THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LAMP ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR, WARNING LAMP NEAR TACHOMETER (AREA 1 AS INDICATED BY MINI OWNER'S MANUAL), AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LAMP (AREA 2) ARE CONTINUOUSLY LIT WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. I HAVE NOT HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY A MECHANIC YET; CURRENTLY, THE NEAREST MINI DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER IS 202 MILES FROM ME. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ISSUE REPORTED HERE AND ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN SPRING OF 2015.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10917500October 20, 2016
STEERING
I HAVE HAD THE STEERING PUMP FAIL TWICE IN MY 2005 R53 MINI, THE 1ST TIME THE POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING AND THE PUMP WOULD CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR IT TO STOP). THIS WAS REPLACED IN 2013 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP UNDER AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" AT THE EXPENSE OF MINI. NOW 3 YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT ON WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF (HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY). THE NEXT DAY THE STEERING PUMP ACTUALLY BURNT ITSELF OUT (SMOKED) WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. I UNDERSTAND MINI HAS ISSUED A MORE EXTENSIVE RECALL HOWEVER SINCE MINE WAS "FIXED" ALREADY I AM NOT COVERED - IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS FAULTY AS THOSE THEY HAVE REPLACED AND WILL MOST LIKELY EXPERIENCE THE SAME DANGEROUS FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10916801October 18, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES, SINCE PURCHASED IN MAY 2015 FOR BURNS TO LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET MELTING INTO HOUSING. MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS. TAILLIGHT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE, NOT FAR FROM GAS TANK. CAR IS UNSAFE DUE TO OVERHEATING, BURNS AND MELTING OF TAILLIGHT COMPONENTS AND PROXIMITY TO GAS TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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