MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10499788February 23, 2013
ENGINE
THE OIL INPUT LINE TO THE TURBO HAS STARTED TO LEAK. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SIDELINED BECAUSE OF CHANCE OF FIRE OR FAILURE OF THE TURBO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499810February 23, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER SOME TIME, THE POWER ASSIST WILL FAIL AGAIN. CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499659February 22, 2013
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. TURNING TOOK A LARGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT. AFTER ARRIVING AT HOME AND TAKING IT OUT THE NEXT DAY IT WORKED FINE AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN WHILE GOING 35 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A CURVE IN THE ROAD. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WORKED FINE BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT WHEN DRIVEN. A POWER CONNECTOR FOR THE PUMP WAS REPAIRED AND THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STARTING LOSING THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURIES. I'VE READ TOO MANY STORIES ONLINE FOR THIS TO BE A FAULT WITH THE DESIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499513February 21, 2013
STEERING
AFTER DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR 15 MINUTES POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO TURN A CORNER. HAD TO MAKE A WIDE TURN. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN APPROACHING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THIS VEHICLE WHEN POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WITHIN LAST TWO WEEKS. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE MORE THAN A COMMON PROBLEM; IT SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD. THIS MUCH I DO KNOW: IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME AND IS DANGEROUS. IF BMW DOESN'T VOLUNTARILY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE A RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499379February 20, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THE TIMING TENSIONER ON MY MINI COOPER S BACKED OUT, RESULTING IN A MASSIVE OIL LOSS WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY MINI, BUT NO KNOWN RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AT THIS POINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498519February 18, 2013
ENGINE
12/14/12: I DROVE HOME FROM WORK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS DRIVING, BUT HEARD A BIT OF A COLD START KNOCK. 12/15/12: CAR DIDN'T START IN THE MORNING. I IMMEDIATELY GOT THE CAR TOWED TO HERB CHAMBERS IN BOSTON, WHERE I HAD EXCLUSIVELY TAKEN IT TO EVERY MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP AND ISSUE I HAD SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW AT THE SAME LOCATION, EVEN AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. 12/16/12: HERB CHAMBERS PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS FOR $135, AND SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN, WHICH WOULD COST $2,500 TO FIX. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO SAID THAT OTHER ENGINE PARTS MAY BE BROKEN, BUT THEY WOULDN'T KNOW UNTIL THEY STARTED WORKING ON THE TIMING CHAIN. AS YOU CAN SEE, I WAS NOT HAPPY AT ALL WITH THIS INCONCLUSIVE DIAGNOSIS. DO I PAY $2,500 FOR THEM TO THEN TELL ME IT ACTUALLY NEEDS A NEW ENGINE FOR CLOSE TO $10,000, OR DO I TOW IT ELSEWHERE? 12/17/12: TOWED CAR TO GERMAN PERFORMANCE SERVICE FOR A MORE COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS, WHICH SHOWED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER WERE BROKEN, AS WELL AS MOST VALVES AND OTHER ENGINE PARTS. WE CONCLUDE THAT IT IS CHEAPER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE ($3,213 + $1,980 OF LABOR = $5,193) THAN TO FIX EVERYTHING INDIVIDUALLY, WHICH WOULD BE MORE LABOR INTENSIVE. 12/21/12: I CONTACTED MINI USA TO INFORM THEM ABOUT MY SITUATION AND HOW UNPLEASED I WAS WITH HERB CHAMBER'S EXTREMELY VAGUE DIAGNOSIS, AS WELL AS MINI'S MAJOR TIMING CHAIN FLAW. MINI USA COMPLETELY IGNORED MY REQUEST FOR THE SOLE REASON THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC. THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD STAYED AT THE DEALER (EVEN THOUGH THEY GAVE ME AN INCOMPLETE DIAGNOSIS), THAT THEY MAY HAVE HELPED ME OUT. 12/30/12: I CONTACTED HERB CHAMBERS BOSTON WITH THE SAME CONCERNS. THEY UNDERSTOOD MY POINTS, BUT SAID THAT UNFORTUNATELY THEY CANNOT FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO DO ANYTHING THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO. AS A SMALL GESTURE, THEY DID GIVE ME BACK WHAT THEY CHARGED ME FOR THEIR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS ($135). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498356February 16, 2013
STEERING
THE MINI COOPER WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. MY FAMILY NOTICED A DISTINCT BURNING SMELL. WE DID NOT KNOW WHERE IS WAS COMING FROM. THE BURNING SMELL WAS TRACED TO THE GARAGE, BUT STILL DID NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. UPON INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ALL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE UNIT WERE MELTED. THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE UNIT ARE DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. IN CONCLUSION THE UNIT DREW POWER WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND FRIED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498244February 15, 2013
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER S. FORTUNATELY FOR ME (ALTHOUGH THIS EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGICALLY UNFORTUNATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE) THIS HAPPENED IN A SCHOOL ZONE, WHICH MEANS I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY. BUT WITH LITTLE CHILDREN AROUND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I FIND THIS SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON EARLY MINI COOPERS. THE PUMP HAS BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA, BUT WHY NOT IN THE U.S.A? CAN YOU TELL ME WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM HERE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498099February 14, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. POWER STEERING STILL OUT. I JUST READ UP AND IT SEEMS EVERYONE'S WAITING FOR THE RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498661February 13, 2013
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2005 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CATASTROPHIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY, RAPIDLY MOVING TRAFFIC, THE ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD STOPPED, QUITE LIKELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AUXILIARY FAN. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $ 1100 FOR THE PARTS ALONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497998February 13, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM ONE STREET TO ANOTHER. WHILE 1/2 WAY INTO THE TURN THE STEERING NO LONGER RESPONDED AND STARTED TO GO STRAIGHT INTO ONCOMING OPPOSING TRAFFIC. IT TOOK QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT TO YANK THE STEERING WHEEL AND AVOID A CRASH (MUCH MORE EFFORT THAN STEERING MY 54 CHEVY PICK UP TRUCK). HAD CAR TOWED TO BMW/MINI DEALER - DIAGNOSED AS "POWER STEERING PUMP SHORTING". COST OF REPAIRS TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP (INCLUDING NEW P/S HOSES): $1977.62. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497950February 12, 2013
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING OFF-RAMP AT 35 MPH POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND STEERING BECAME REALLY HARD, LIGHTS WENT OFF, AC STOPPED WORKING, AND LOTS OF ENGINE LIGHTS CAME UP, ALMOST CRASHED WHEN TURNING A CORNER AND ENGINE STARTED FAILING.....GOT HOME AND SHUT OFF CAR, WHEN TRIED TO TURN ON AGAIN, IT FAILED TO START....... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497963February 12, 2013
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496953February 9, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. FROM REPORTS I HAVE READ I AM WORRIED THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE AND IN TURN CATCH MY HOUSE ON FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497590February 9, 2013
STEERING
DROVE 8 MILES TO WORK. PARKED CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. SOMETHING KEPT RUNNING UNDER HOOD. I COULD HEAR IT. SOUNDED LIKE A FAN. WHEN LEFT WORK AT END OF DAY, BATTERY WAS DRAINED. HAD TO USE KEY MANUALLY TO GET INTO CAR. CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AAA TRIED TO JUMP START THE CAR. THE GUY GOT IT STARTED, BUT THEN IT SHUT DOWN WHILE HE STILL HAD THE JUMPER CABLES ON IT. HE SAID THAT WASN'T GOOD AND CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN IF IT COULD BE STARTED. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. AND THE NEXT DAY CAR WAS TOWED TO MINI DEALERSHIP. MINI SERVICE DIAGNOSED AND FOUND THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SHORTED OUT. MINI SERVICE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1,162.77. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496848February 8, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEATS
MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, WHICH HAS A WEIGHT-SENSOR TO DETERMINE AIR-BAG OPERATION (ON/OFF, FULL FORCE, PARTIAL FORCE) IS FAULTY, AND WITH A 110 LB PERSON SEATED IN THERE, THE SENSOR STILL BELIEVES THE PERSON WEIGHS BELOW 25 LBS, AND AS SUCH, DISABLES THE AIRBAG. THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME AS I DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER MUCH OF THE TIME, AND MOST OF THE TIME THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY-RECALL ISSUE TO ME. I HAVE ALSO DONE MUCH RESEARCH THROUGH THE VEHICLE MAKE FORUMS SCATTERED THROUGH THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE EXISTS ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME GENERATION. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496863February 8, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED AT FREEWAY SPEED. DRIVER NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT AT FREEWAY SPEED. POWER STEERING PUMP TOTAL FAILURE. SOMEONE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496729February 7, 2013
ENGINE
TURBO CHARGER OIL FEED LINE - VERY POOR DESIGN CRIMPED TUBE WITH AN O-RING SEAL FAILED IN VERY HOT ENVIRONMENT AND CAUSED LARGE OIL LEAK ONTO HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STOPPED CAR BEFORE FIRE STARTED. DEALER WANTED $1,300 TO INSTALL A NEW $50 OIL LINE OF THE SAME POOR DESIGN. EVERY SINGLE 2007+ MINI COOPER S HAS A SIMILAR OIL LINE - THEY ARE ALL FAILING AT FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE - NO EXCEPTIONS. MINI SHOULD REDESIGN THIS PART AND ISSUE SAFETY RECALL AND RE-IMBURSE THOSE THAT ALREADY PAID TO REPAIR OIL LINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496437February 5, 2013
ENGINE
MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND OFF AND ON FOR A SHORT TIME (MOSTLY IN THE COLD MORNINGS) I DROVE FROM HOUSTON TO DALLAS. WHEN PARKED ON THE SIDE ROAD, MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. I HAD NO SERVICE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS COME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD MY TIMING BELT WAS BROKEN. I HAVE NO MEANS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND MINI COOPER/BMW ARE AWARE OF THIS AND HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496449February 5, 2013
STEERING
WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND CAME UP ON A TURN WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP. PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP FROM JUMPING THE MEDIAN. SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF ME. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON AND IT SEEMED FINE. THEN GETTING ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS ON THE CLOVER-LEAF AND IT LOCKED UP AGAIN SO I PUT ALL OF MY WEIGHT INTO IT AGAIN, THEN IT SUDDENLY RELEASED. WITH THE SUDDEN JERK/MOVEMENT (AND IT HAS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES) SOMEDAY I KNOW IT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO WORK IN PHASES: IT WILL BE FINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS, THEN ITS INTERMITTENT/GONE FOR A WEEK OR 2. THE PAST FEW DAYS, IT HAS SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE FAN WAS ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT BEEN FOR A STRENUOUS DRIVE. I THINK IT WAS ACTUALLY THE PUMP NOT TURNING OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS MORNING I GOT TO MY CAR TO FIND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED... AN APPARENT SHORT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP (AND/OR FAN) KILLED IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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