MINI Cooper Complaints
4,588 consumer complaints on file.
- #10950277February 8, 2017AIR BAGS, SEATS
THE "PASS AIR BAG OFF" WITH SEAT ICON/2 LIGHT (LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR) BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE ODOMETER READ ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THE LIGHT CAME ON PERMANENTLY AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED, DID NOT FIND A LOOSE CONNECTION, AND SAID THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED THE MINI CORPORATION BUT WERE INFORMED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2007 MINI COOPER PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE TWO-DOOR HARDTOP. WE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AT OUR OWN EXPENSE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10949916February 6, 2017ENGINE
MINI COOPER S - NUMEROUS ISSUES FOUND HAVING PURCHASED A USED 2007 MINI COOPER S FROM A SMALL DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, WE DID OUR RESEARCH UP-FRONT WITH A 'CARFAX REPORT' WHICH SHOWED NO ISSUES, WE ALSO DID A VIN DATABASE SEARCH FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NO OPEN RECALLS AND ASSUMED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO PURCHASE WHICH WE DID FOR JUST OVER $5,000. NOW THAT WE ARE NEARING A YEAR INTO OUR 4-YEAR PAYMENT PLAN, ON JANUARY 17, 2016, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 IN GEORGIA AND AT APPROX. MILE MARKER 211, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHE REQUIRED A TOW OFF THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY- BUT IT SEEMS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED OUR CASE' UPON ATTEMPTING REPAIRS, WE FIND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE (2007 R56/N16 4 CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED) INCLUDING TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, VACUUM PUMP, ETC' BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF REMOVED PARTS FROM THE ENGINE ' THE VACUUM PUMP SEIZED AND BENT THE METAL COMPONENTS ' SINCE THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE 'EXHAUST CAMSHAFT', WHEN IT SEIZED IT SEIZED THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ' ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THIS CAMSHAFT IS A SPROCKET WHICH CONNECTS THE TIMING CHAIN (ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE) ' THE BOLT AND SPROCKET DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN AREA, CREATING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH IT APPEARS WE ARE GOING TO BE 'LEFT HOLDING THE BAG' FOR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10949926February 6, 2017UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE METAL CLADDING ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DETACHED AND WHEN I GRABBED THE HANDLE TO GET INTO THE CAR THE METAL CUT INTO MY INDEX FINGER, REQUIRING 5 STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN MY SPACE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10948642January 31, 2017ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10947977January 27, 2017STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10946175January 18, 2017ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION OF MY CAR, THE VALVES WERE CLATTERING AND HAD NO POWER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10945531January 16, 2017VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON A WINTER DAY, THE REAR PANEL OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPANDED UPWARD AND SHATTERED. THE BULK OF THE GLASS FELL INTO THE CAR. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH FOREIGN OBJECTS OR CHIPS IN THE GLASS. THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10945085January 13, 2017ENGINE
CAR SHUT DOWN ENROUTE TO HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING (AS CHARACTERIZED BY MANY OWNERS). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR FACILITY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO "SLIP". THEY RAN A COMPRESSION TEST ON THE 4 CYLINDERS. TWO OF THE CYLINDERS HAVE 0 COMPRESSION AND THE OTHER TWO HAVE SERIOUSLY LOW READINGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IS INDETERMINATE. THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BEGINNING WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN GREAT NUMBERS. THIS RESULTED IN RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM UP TO THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. WHY WASN'T THIS EXTENDED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10945163January 13, 2017ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN ISSUES THAT WOULD MAKE CAR RANDOMLY RATTLE THEN JUST TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR WOULD SKIP GEARS AS WELL. OUR 2009 HAS THE SAME ISSUES AND MINI HAS TOLD US IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AS WELL. WE SPENT OVER $1800 FIXING THIS ISSUE THAT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MINI CARS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10945161January 13, 2017ENGINE
AT ABOUT 65,000 THE CAR WOULD JUST RANDOMLY RATTLE & TURN OFF AT ANY STOP INCLUDING DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN CAR HAD TO COME TO A ROLLING STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC. CAR ALSO SKIPPED GEARS, ALSO JUST RANDOMLY. WE WERE UNABLE TO TAKE TO A MINI SERVICE CENTER DUE TO MY DAUGHTER HAVING IT AT COLLEGE WHERE MINI WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WE DID TAKE TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC AND UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSTICS NOT TELLING HIM ANYTHING HE COULD NOT "FIX" THE PROBLEM.....TWICE. WE KNOW THAT MINI HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND THEY CLAIM THAT OUR MODEL AND YEAR IS NOT PART OF THIS ISSUE. WELL WE ALSO HAVE A 2010 MINI COOPER AND THE SAME TIMING CHAIN ISSUE WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS HAS JUST BEEN REPAIRED FOR OVER $1800.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10944662January 12, 2017POWER TRAIN
I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. 70,000 MILES. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. BMW TOLD ME TO SELL IT RIGHT AWAY. $9,000 TO REPAIR. SHOULD BE RECALLED. VERY UNHAPPY. PLEASE HELP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10940285January 7, 2017AIR BAGS
AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000, 2009 MINI COOPER R56 AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, BUT NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. NO IDEA IF THIS MEANS THAT AIR BAGS WILL FAIL.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10939071January 2, 2017STEERING
ABOUT A MONTH AGO VEHICLE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE HAS 117,650 MILES ON IT. DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT AS STEERING IS VERY HEAVY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10937963December 28, 2016STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER COMING HOME FROM A ROUTINE DRIVE. I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVE WAY. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED MY HOOD OF MY CAR SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY RAN OUTSIDE AND STARTED HOUSING OF THE BUBBLING HOOD WITH A GARDEN HOSE. I MANAGED TO POP THE HOOD AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WHICH HAD COVER MOST OF THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10937324December 24, 2016ENGINE
ENGINE KNOCKING WHEN STAR TIMING BELT PART BROKEN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10936843December 22, 2016ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN BROKE LEADING TO VEHICLE COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. BMW REFUSES TO ASSIST.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10935157December 13, 2016SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM THE MAIN STREET, INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A STRIP MALL, THEN AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN, AND ANOTHER RIGHT TURN INTO THE RIGHT ANGLE PARKING SLOT. ALL THE WHILE HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, I STARTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK, WHEN IT WAS IN THE RIGHT SPOT. THE MINI INSTEAD COMING TO A STOP, REVVED UP, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THE STORE IN THE FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES REALLY HARD, ALL THE TIME BUT THE BRAKE PEDALS WERE LOCKED UP. IT WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. SAT HARD ON THE FLOOR! WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME, THE BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKED UP AND THE GEAR WAS IN PARK AND COULDN'T BE MOVED FROM THERE. THE SEAT BELTS COULDN'T BE RETRACTED EITHER. MINI ENGINEER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND I CAN SAFELY DRIVE IT AFTER THE BODY IS REPAIRED. I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH THIS CONCLUSION. THE CAR'S BRAKES AND GEAR WERE LOCKED UP, AND HAD TO BE LIFTED ON A FLATBED AND TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP; I STILL MAINTAIN SOMETHING WITHIN THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10934381December 10, 2016AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL THE WARNING INDICATOR THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF COMES ON FREQUENTLY (WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER). I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN MY CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT MAT SENSOR, THAT I HAD NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM, THAT THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF THE PART, AND THAT IT IS A $1200.00 FIX. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT REPAIR!! I WROTE TO BMW IN JULY---NO RESPONSE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE SOMEWHERE---WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER. IT COMES ON AND OFF.....DRIVING OR STATIONARY, ALL SITUATIONS. THE ONLY DOCUMENTATION I HAVE IS COPY OF THE DEALERSHIP LABOR REPORT FROM THE DIAGNOSIS AND A COPY OF MY 7-19-2016 LETTER TO BMW SENT VIA EMAIL TO MINIUSA.COM. I HAVE NO WAY TO SCAN THOSE TO ATTACH.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10934158December 9, 2016ENGINE
LEAVING FOR WORK, HEARD A SNAP AND LOST POWER TO ENGINE LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME. PULLED OVER, THEN COASTED (WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES) DOWNHILL TO A SAFER SPOT. TOWED TO MECHANIC; ISSUE IS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS JUST A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE THE FINAL RECALL DATES FOR SKEEN V BMW. I BELIEVE THE CLASS WAS TOO NARROWLY DEFINED; THIS 2010 COOPER S (69K MI) HAS THE SAME N14 ENGINE AND PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. (CAN'T TELL BUT FROM SOME OF THE EARLY REPORTING ON THAT CASE IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS CAR MAY HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AN EARLIER VERSION/DRAFT??). VERY UPSET THAT THIS CAR HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND ISSUE COVERED BY THE RECALL, AND YET WE HAVE NO RECOURSE! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10934179December 9, 2016ENGINE
THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS INHERENTLY FLAWED AND PREMATURELY FAILS BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES HOT OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER A HOT TURBO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE MY ENGINE CATCH FIRE WITH THE FAILED O-RING ON MINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LARGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED HOME. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT STILL VERY LOW MILEAGE (48K) WHEN MINE FAILED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0