MINI Cooper Complaints (2011)
200 consumer complaints on file.
- #11487831October 4, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
At about 6:40AM on September 23, 2022, the 2011 Mini Clubman car caught on fire. The car was parked in the driveway, locked with everything off, key removed and unoccupied. It was last driven the evening of September 22nd. About 6:40AM the interior behind the steering wheel and dashboard erupted into flames. The car filled with smoke and flames. The fire burned for about 5 -10 minutes and self extinguished. Just prior to the fire the headlights were reported to be on. After the fire, the windshield wipers were operating with no way to turn them off. At a reasonable time after the flames were no longer visible (10-15min), the driver's door was opened by the emergency key to vent the smoke. Upon inspection, the area around the left footwell near the driver's door was heavily charred with insulation burned off all wiring and co-located electrical devices. The hood release latch was melted. The air vent to the left of the steering wheel was missing and all the ductwork to that vent was missing. There was a large deformation and hole in the dashboard above and slightly to the right of the steering wheel and the windshield was cracked about 2-3 inches above the dashboard. It appears that electrical components and wiring inside the dashboard were also engulphed in flames but no detailed inspection of the damage occurred. Significant smoke damage occurred to the entire interior. The local fire department was called and they were able to open the hood and disconnect the battery which stopped the windshield wipers. The car was a stock car with no modifications. Reasonably maintained by professionals. The odometer reading before the fire was approximately 103,000 miles. No problems were noted prior to the incident. Insurance has considered the car a total loss and unrepairable. In general it is assumed by the writer that Mini's or any other car should not experience electrical fires when unoccupied, all devices are off, no key is present. Kindly investigate.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11485070September 18, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I had several repairs recently that I found that were part of a recall after the fact. This includes the Electric Auxilillary Water Pump and Timing Chair replacement and repair of damaged parts. They refused to reimburse me for the water pump repair that should have been covered. Secondly, when the timing chain fails as it did in my case can cause $2000- $5000+ in damages. My shop is stating this would be a very expensive repair. There is information that the timing chain warranty was extended because of a class action lawsuit and is now covered up to 100,000 miles. I am well within that range. My goal is to get compensation for the recall work and coverage for the timing chain.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11474658July 19, 2022POWER TRAIN
During driving failure of the shift cable linkage was disconnected When investigated, the joint between the cable and the transmission shifter was disconnected due to a failure of the bushing on the cable side This caused a situation where the car was stuck in a single gear and not possible to be shifted into neutral or another gear
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11461317April 19, 2022ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while parked there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery and CS module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11440159November 11, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The lighting and small system computer or FRM module. This module controls any features including safety features on the car. Also known as the footwell module. After having AAA install a new battery within days the widows would not go down my turn signals, hazard lights, dash lights, courtesy lights, tail lights, horn, high beam headlights and possibly airbags don’t work. Mini will fix the problem if the car is ten years old or less, but any car that is older doesn’t qualify. Mini goes by Manufacturing date of the car. My but It was not sold into service until 2011. They refuse to fix it and the repair cost was $1828.24. I have had other problems as well. Mini needs to acknowledge this problem issue a recall and refund those of us that have been victimized by not making this a recall issue. Mini must be confronted by NHTSA put on notice, considering these are major safety issues that could result in injury or death. Part number= FP 61-35-6-827-072
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11429910August 20, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS
The lighting and small system computer or FRM module. This module controls any features including safety features on the car. My turn signals, hazard lights, dash lights, courtesy lights, tail lights, windows, horn, high beam headlights and possibly airbags don’t work. Mini will fix the problem if the car is ten years old or less, but any car that is older doesn’t qualify. My car is a 2011 but I bought it new in 2012. They refuse to fix it and the repair cost is around $2000. I have had so many other problems with my car that have cost me several thousands of dollars and I feel like Mini should fix this problem considering these are safety features that could result in injury or death.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11427489August 2, 2021AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Set Belt and Airbag Warning lights came light up for no reason and the computer got a hard code that cannot be reset (ACSM - Crash Safety Module, 93C3, OC3). This will be put in a Safety Risk if the car gets in an accident.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11426543July 26, 2021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11416640May 14, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 05/06/2021, I PURCHASED A USED 2011 MINI COOPER S TURBO. TWO DAYS LATER, I WENT TO START THE CAR, AND IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. WHEN I LIFTED UP HOOD, I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY UNHOOKED THE TWO BATTERY CABLES. I CALLED THE CAR LOT THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT YEAR MINI HAD ISSUES WITH A COMPUTER BOARD OVERHEATING PAND SOMETIMES EVEN STARTING FIRES EVEN WHEN THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING. I HAVE A MEHANIC SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY TO REPAIR THE CAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11395359February 9, 2021AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
THE PASSENGERS SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND IT WON'T ALLOW ANY AIRBAG TO ACTIVATE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11387266January 9, 2021ENGINE
THE COOLANT THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS ALWAYS MAKING A PROBLEM. I SEE THERE IS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON OTHER YEARS MODEL. BUT IT HAS TO BE INCLUDED MY VEHICLE'S YEAR. THEY USES SAME THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND MAKING A SAME PROBLEM. LEAKS OR IT STUCK OPENED/CLOSED VERY EASILY. WITHIN A 3 YEARS I NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING/ TIMES WITH OEM PART. FIRST TIME IT MAKES A PROBLEM AT AROUND 90000 MILES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11385605December 30, 2020INTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL DOWN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR AND THE CLIP FRACTURED CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MOTORCARS (2801 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,462.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11291691December 28, 2019AIR BAGS
THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN ON. (RED) EVERY TIME. 94,166 MLS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11287524December 6, 2019AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED EVEN IF PASSENGER IS SEATED. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. CONSEQUENTIALLY, THE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11234357July 24, 2019ENGINE
EXHAUST VANOS SOLENOID FAILURE 06/12/2019. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE TO MINI'S AND BMW'S THAT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHICH INTERRUPTS THE POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM. BMW WHO MANUFACTURES THE PART HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART ON BMW'S TO 10 YEARS BUT HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED ALL THE ISSUES THAT MINI OWNERS HAVE HAD WITH THE PARTICULAR PART. THERE ARE TWO IN THE ENGINE AND THEY ARE IDENTICAL (INTAKE/EXHAUST) COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $500. WHY DOES BMW GET A REPLACEMENT AND MINI OWNERS HAVE TO PAY. THE CAR GOES INTO A LIMP MODE WHEN FAILURE OCCURS, SO STILL DRIVABLE BUT AT REDUCED POWER. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PREVALENT IN BOTH MINI FORUMS AND BMW FORUMS. THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR MINI OWNERS PART # 11-36-8-610-388. IT IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11231627July 13, 2019ENGINE
THERMOSTAT & HOUSING PLUS WATER PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CAR STILL RUNS TEMPS IN EXCESS OF 230 BEFORE FAN WILL COME ON. I AM FEARFUL THE ENGINE MAY GET ON FIRE DUE TO HEAT AND THEREFORE, I AM NOT DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED 2 RELAYS, ONE OF WHICH CONTROLLED THE ENGINE FAN. I REPLACED THE RELAY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11204222April 28, 2019AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATING FAULTY DEVICE. THE INDICATIONS STARTED TO APPEARS RANDOMLY AND MOST FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT HOWEVER TODAY IS ON ALL TIME.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11196984April 17, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY MINI COOPER FAILED EXTERIOR LIGHTS INCLUDING TURN SIGNALS, MARKER LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LAMPS. MINI COOPER FOOTWELL MODULE OEM R56 GEN2 FAILED LIGHTING ON EXTERIOR LIGHTS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11171290January 22, 2019AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED. DISPLAY SAYS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11151193November 13, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RAY CATENA MINI OF WESTCHESTER (LOCATED AT 543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 347-6464) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE BOOT AND ALL THE CONNECTORS FOR THE TURBO HOSES MELTED. IN ADDITION, A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE OIL HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 11105312. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0