MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10408933June 26, 2011
STEERING
UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON 2004 MINI COOPER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. PURCHASED THE 2004 MINI COOPER BEING UNAWARE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURES, AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED WHILE STRUGGLING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HOPE THEY ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE WHEN I STARTED RESEARCHING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS I FIND IT EXTREMELY DISTURBING THAT MINI HASN'T BEEN FORCED TO ISSUE ONE YET. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENS DAILY SO TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN ALL OF THE CARS I HAVE PURCHASED THROUGH OUT MY ADULT LIFE. WHAT A SAFETY HAZARD! I AM SO THANKFUL MY GRANDCHILD WASN'T WITH ME THAT DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10409636June 24, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
POWERS STEERING PUMP FAILURE, POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN FAILURE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408797June 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY MINI SINCE IT WAS NEW. IN NOV. OF 2010 THE CHAIN TENSIONER WAS FINALLY CHANGED AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE NOISE. ON MON.6-6-11 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALER & SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT SAT 6-11. ON WED. 6-8 MY CAR DIED WITH NO WARNING. NO COMPUTER LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE MINI DEALER ON SAT.6-11. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE VACUUM PUMP CAUSING MAJOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. MY ENGINE ONLY HAD A QUART OF OIL AND THAT WAS WHY IT WENT OUT. I HAD DOCUMENTATION OF MY OIL CHANGE. IT STILL HAD 3,000M TO GO BEFORE IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. WAS ALSO CHECKED 2 WKS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT AND IT WAS FINE. I AM NOW NEEDING A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF 6,087. THE REGIONAL TEAM AT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE DECIDED THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I LET IT RUN OUT OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO APPEAL PROCESS, THEIR DECISION WAS FINAL. MY CAR HAS 64K MILES ON IT. THE CHAIN TENSIONERS AND VACUUM PUMPS ARE KNOWN FAILURES BUT MINI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. EASIER TO BLAME THE CONSUMER. A VEHICLE THAT COSTS NEARLY 30K DOLLARS SHOULD NOT HAVE AN ENGINE FAILURE AT 64K MILES. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS CHECK THE WEB. MINI SHOULD STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH WITH FATALITIES IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHICH I DO EVERY DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408687June 23, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,512.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408573June 22, 2011
STEERING
2005 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING OFF HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO AN ADJACENT CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR INTO A CORNER. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME LATER IN THE WEEK WHILE I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. A WOMAN MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR CORRECTLY THUS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407748June 21, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WOULD NOT PROPERLY SEAL AND WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FUEL CAP, FUEL TANK NOZZLE, HOSE AND CONNECTOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/08/11*LJ UPDATED 3/02/2012 *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407514June 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ON 13 JUNE 2011 A POWER STEERING FAN SHORTED ON MY DAUHTERS 2002 MINI COOPER S CAUSING THE RADIATOR FAN TO STOP. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. ON 14 JUNE 2011 CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A MINI COOPER DEALER AFTER BEING TOWED. PARTS REPLACED ARE FAN HOUSING WITH FAN, FAN WITH PROTECTING GRILLE, WIRING SET FOR POWER SUPPLY, CABLE STRAP. POWER STEERING FAN SEIZED CAUSING COOLING FANS NOT TO WORK. DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS (UPDATED) TO KEEP POWER STEERING FAN AND COOLING FANS SEPERATE (AS TOLD BY SERVICE REP). OLD PARTS WHERE NOT KEPT. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407531June 20, 2011
STEERING
I OWN A 05 MINI COOPER S THAT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS..THE STEERING WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING 75MPH..SINCE THEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AND THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE ALTOGETHER...I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE...IT STARTED AS AN INTEMITTENT PROBLEM AND NOW IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM...I ONLY OWN THIS VEHICLE AS WAS HOPING MINI WOULD STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS... *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407606June 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH IN THE RAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HYDRO-LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE WITH THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, AS THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407452June 19, 2011
STEERING
MY 2005 MINI COOPER STEERING IS GOING OUT EVERY TIME I TRY TO TURN I HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS AND ALL MY POWER TO TURN IT. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND WILL CALL HIM IN THE MORNING TO LET HIM KNOW THE PROBLEM SO HE CAN TRY AND FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407347June 18, 2011
STEERING
WE HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER. ON 16JUN11, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BACK FROM HER SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL AT AROUND 9AM WHEN WHILE TAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HEAVY. SHE HAD TO MAKE THE CAR TURN WITH A LOT OF FORCE. THE NEXT DAY, 17JUN11, WHEN WE TRIED TO OPEN THE CAR, IT DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE KEY REMOTE, AND WE HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY. THE CAR DIDN'T RESPOND, AND WOULDN'T START. TODAY, 18JUN11, WE CALLED AAA VA OUR INSURANCE, AND THEY CAME OVER JUMP STARTED THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MINI SERVICE CENTER (NEW COUNTRY BMW), AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK ON MONDAY, 20JUNE. THEY DID TAKE A QUICK LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SWITCHED OFF, A CYLINDER BEHIND THE BATTERY MAKES A CONTINUOUS HISSING SOUND. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP/ASSEMBLY. SO, WHEN IN ITS TURNED OFF STATE, THE PUMP SOMEHOW DRAINS THE BATTERY. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THEM IN A FEW DAYS AGAIN WHEN THEY ARE FREE, BUT MEANWHILE, WHEN I PARK, I PARK WITH THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS REMOVED, SO ATLEAST I DON'T HAVE TO ASK AAA TO JUMP START IT EVERYTIME. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND MINI WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF IT. BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE COSTS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407890June 16, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS STATED IT WOULD COST $ 9,3000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE MINI DIDN'T SELL THE CVT TRANSMISSION ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE DONATED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407096June 16, 2011
STEERING
2005 MINI COOPER S. POWER STEERING FAILURE: I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I REACHED MY DESTINATION (WITHOUT POWER STEERING), THE CAR SAT FOR APPROX 3 HOURS, WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WORKED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2011. ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, THIS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. AGAIN, AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A FEW HOURS, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED WORKING. MY CAR HAS APPROX 56K MILES ON IT, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF *TR UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406972June 15, 2011
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAR. HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITH NO WARNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406872June 14, 2011
STEERING
MINI COOPER 05 POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406874June 14, 2011
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MINI COOPER S THROUGH A CROWDED PARKING LOT, MY POWER STEERING JUST SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE SUDDEN FAILURE AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET MY MINI INTO A PARKING SPOT AWAY FROM PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406086June 13, 2011
STEERING
LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN 2005 MINI COOPER. 1. ON 06 APRIL 2011 AT 11:00, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE GRAND RAPIDS, MI MINI COOPER DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. DURING THE ROUTINE INSPECTION CONDUCTED ALONG WITH THE OIL CHANGE, IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT MY POWER STEERING FAN HAD FAILED. FORTUNATELY, AS REPORTED AT THAT POINT, MY POWER STEERING PUMP LOOKED FINE. I PAID TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FAN REPLACED AT THAT POINT. I EXPERIENCED NO ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE'S STEERING UNTIL 11 JUNE 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30PM WHEN, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE RESULTING LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY CAUSED ME TO IMPACT A MOVABLE PARKING SIGN IN THE ADJACENT PARKING SPACE. HOURS LATER, AFTER COOLING DOWN, THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO FUNCTION, BUT HAS BEGUN TO FAIL AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $1500. 2. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILURE HAVE BEEN HEIGHTENED CONCERN WHILE DRIVING, AND A DYNAMIC COST OF $1500 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406094June 13, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER UNTIL AFTER THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS. THERE WERE ALSO NOTICED RATTLING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE VACUUM PUMP, TIMING CHAINS AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. EACH PART WAS REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406185June 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47, 000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406211June 13, 2011
STEERING
I HAVE A 2005 MINI COOPER S. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE BAY BRIDGE. ALMOST KILLED ME AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHO ELSE WAS ON THE BRIDGE! HOW CAN THE PEOPLE AT BMW SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING THERE ARE MINIS OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM! DO THE RESEARCH AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY TERRIFIED MINI OWNERS ARE OUT THERE! THANK GOD I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I COULD PULL THE CAR OVER AND COAST THE REST OF THE WAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MINISF, WHO TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. I REPLACED THE PUMP, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAN RUNS ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS THE THOUGHT OF SELLING THIS CAR TO SOMEONE WHO MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE SAME TERROR I DID. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR CRASHES. THANK GOD FOR THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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