MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10609876July 11, 2014
STEERING
DRIVING APPROX. 15 MILES - MOSTLY INTERSTATE - TO ATTEND A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY DINNER. WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I PROCEEDED TO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I RELEASED THE HOOD I COULD SEE AN ORANGE GLOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE (NIGHT TIME). WITHIN 30 SECONDS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. A 911 CALL TO LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS WAS PLACED WHO RESPONDED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. SINCE THERE WERE TWO RESTAURANTS IN THE COMPLEX, EMPLOYEES OF EACH ONE HAD COME OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY WORK PLACE, FROM MY WORK PLACE TO ANOTHER CITY FOR REPAIRS. ONLY THE ACTUAL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE TOWING OR RENTALS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND A WEEK AFTER PICKING MY CAR UP, I HAD OTHER THINGS TO GO OUT ON THE CAR CAUSED BY THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE. (DOMINO EFFECT). THE CAR HAD TO GO BACK INTO A SHOP WHERE IT TOOK MORE THAN 3 WEEKS TO GET ALL PARTS IN AND REPAIRS MADE, WHILE I INCURRED YET MORE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR. I AM NOW IN DEBT ALMOST $3,000.00 AS A DIRECTLY RESULT OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609863July 11, 2014
AIR BAGS
OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT BAD AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ON. A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW AUTOS AND SUVS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE MINI PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE BMW 3 SERIES AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PUTTING A PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NO. 13V-564. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609941July 11, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEATS
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY LIGHT LIT UP IN 2 PLACES ON DASH INFORMATION-THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE @ MINI COOPER WEB SITES INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS PERSISTED FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. IT IS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (USUALLY BETWEEN $1600 & $2600) AS THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR (FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT) IS SEWN INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT & THE REPAIR CALLS FOR THE BOTTOM COVER OF THE SEAT TO BE REPLACES WITH A NEW SENSOR PRE-SEWN IN. THE SITES OFFER "EMULATOR" KITS WHICH TRICKS THE SENSOR-BUT WILL PROHIBIT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN MANY CASES. THE KITS SELL FOR APPROXIMATELY $79.00. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY DANGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609654July 10, 2014
STEERING
STARTED OUT BEING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM,WHERE IT WOULD SEEM THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF THEN COME BACK ON, MAKING HARD TO JUDGE IF YOU COULD JUST RELAX TO STEER OR NOT, NOW ITS MORE OFF THAN ON. CALLED THE MINI ASSISTANCE NUMBER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE, WAS TOLD THERE WAS BUT MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS FOR VEHICLES 2002-2005, MINES A 2005 AND MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. DON'T UNDERSTAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609322July 9, 2014
ENGINE
THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1500.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608809July 7, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE. PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER WEIGHING APPROX 195 POUNDS WITH SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND BYPASS THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MINI COOPER AND IS DISCUSSED ON ONLINE ENTHUSIAST FORUMS, WITH MINI USA DEALERSHIPS CHARGING FROM $1,100 TO $1,400 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. MINI USA DEALERS STATE THAT THE ISSUE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE ENTIRE SEAT MUST BE REPLACED. FOR HOW LITTLE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED IN MY VEHICLE, IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DEFECT AND NOT A WEAR-AND-TEAR ISSUE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608728July 7, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. DURING THE IMPACT ALL AIR BAGS INSIDE THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608012July 3, 2014
ENGINE
WE STARTED OUR 2008 MINI CLUBMAN S IN A PARKING LOT AND IT IMMEDIATELY INDICATED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) FOR 'LIMP' MODE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE UPPER GUIDE RAIL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SHATTERED. THE ODBII CODES WERE P0300, RANDOM MIS-FIRE, P0301 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 1, P0303 MIS-FIRE CYLINDER 3 AND P1492, DOWNSTREAM THROTTLE AIR LEAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10607891July 2, 2014
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR JUST STALLED. I MADE IT TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING ON FREEWAY IN SMALL CAR THAT STALLED. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SERIOUS COLLATERAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BREAKING. CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND REGULARLY SERVICED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10607631July 1, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND OVERHEAD LIGHT SIGNALED PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" EVEN THOUGH AN ADULT MALE (168 POUNDS) WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MULTIPLE EXPERIENCES OVER SEVERAL DAYS. NO MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHEN THE SEAT WAS EMPTY, ONLY WHEN OCCUPIED BY A BONAFIDE ADULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10607114June 30, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,786.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606753June 29, 2014
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND I (THE DRIVER), HAD MY BELT ON. I TRIED BUCKLING THE PASSENGER BELT, BUT THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE, OR WHETHER THERE IS A SENSOR PROBLEM, AND THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAGS FOR THE PASSENGER ARE OPERABLE. THERE APPEAR TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FALSE AIRBAG LIGHTS, ILLUMINATING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606800June 29, 2014
STEERING
I WAS EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY AND WHILE ON THE RAMP COMING OFF, THE STEERING BECAME VERY UNRESPONSIVE AND HEAVY. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT SOUNDS LIKE MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606507June 27, 2014
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVING HOME FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST UNLUCKY AND A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. NOW I THINK THERE WAS NOT A ROCK INVOLVED. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606570June 27, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS HAPPENED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HIT A POTHOLE. I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS POINTED AT THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THAT THE HOLE ASSEMBLY INSIDE HAD BEEN DISENGAGED AND IS POINTED DOWN. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST IT AND SINCE I WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTEE I DECIDED TO OPEN THE UNIT. I FOUND THAT THE SMALL PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE INNER LIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM FALLING PULLED APART. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS MUST BE TESTED AND THEREFORE I MUST HAVE A DEFECTIVE UNIT. I CONTACTED MINI WHO SENT ME TO THE DEALER AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I HAVE NO RESOLUTION. IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE I THINK THERE MUST BE OTHER UNITS THAT HAVE FAILED THIS WAY. IS THIS CAUSE FOR A RECALL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606333June 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE OR HAD A MINI COOPER S 2007 I GET A LETTER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAS A COST CHANGE WITHOUT AUXILIARY WATER PUMP ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE FIRE WE APPROACH THE SELLER FOR US TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 06/04/12 TUBE NO VALUE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT CHANGING RIMS AND TIRES RECOMMENDED PIPE COST $ 1100 DOLLARS, THE COOPER HAD 121,985 MILES, A YEAR AND HALF PIPE THERMOSTAT HOUSING PROBLEMS WILL COST $ 724.32 INSTEAD, CONTINUED TO ALL RECOMMENDATIONS BUT THE COOPER FIRE ON 03/24/14 AT 05:48 PM, IT WAS CHAOS LUCKILY WAS OUT OF THE GARAGE WHICH IS WHERE I USUALLY END UP SHUTTING KEPT THE FIREFIGHTERS MAKE INQUIRIES AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED EXCEPT THAT THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH ACTIVE SECURITIES SO STAY PRIMARILY FOR RESEARCH BY A SPECIALIZED INSURER TO INVESTIGATE, TWO MONTHS AND A LITTLE WORKSHOP TOOK THE CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITHOUT SPECIFYING THE ORIGIN, FINDING THESE CARS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT HAVE TROUBLE AND THE AUTHORITIES ARE DEAF EARS BECAUSE MILLIONS ARE AT STAKE THAN HURT, THE CAR LOST COMPLETELY. WE STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY CASES IN COMMON BURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606372June 26, 2014
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR STOP WORKING- CAUSING AIR BAG IN PASSENGER SEAT TO SHUT OFF. NO WAY TO OVERRIDE AND SEAT SENSOR COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE. I UNDERSTAND THIS VERY COMMON WITH COOPERS IN THIS DATE RANGE. VERY SIMILAR SEAT SENSORS FOR THE BMW MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT THE VERSION FOR THE MINI THAT IS FAILING. SEEMS LIKE DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605535June 24, 2014
WHEELS
DRIVING AT 40MPH AND SUDDENLY A NOISE/SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT STARTED. STOPPED AT MECHANICS AND WAS ADVISED AND SHOWN THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. THOUGH NO OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS SHOW ANY DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605751June 24, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOSS OF POWER AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO NO AVAIL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SIX WEEKS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FUEL FILTER FOUR SETS OF BRAKES, THREE BATTERIES, IGNITION COILS, WIRING AND THE COMPUTER BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING TWICE, CORE AND NEW BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PLUS THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FALSE READING FROM THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT HAD CONTINUED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE ODOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING AND NOT READING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD CONTINUED TO JERK VIOLENTLY, DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO AN INDPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605387June 23, 2014
ENGINE
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE STOPPED AND STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. NOT DRIVABLE. VERY DANGEROUS, NEARLY GOT HIT BY SEMI TRUCKS ON HIGHWAY AND OTHER VEHICLES. VERY UNSAFE. PROBLEM: NEEDED NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL @ COST OF $3000 PLUS TOWING. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE OTHER TIMES WERE CAUSED BY SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE. DEALER DENIED IT WAS TIMING CHAIN. THE MINI COOPER 2007 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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