MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10474147September 6, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
NOTICED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AFTER A COLD START. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE SO, IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAME LOUD NOISE THAT MINIS MAKE AFTER COLD STARTS. HOWEVER, NOTICED THAT THE NOISE SEEMED LOUDER THAN NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE OF OTHER COLD STARTS AND DECIDED TO TOW THE CAR IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (YELLLOW) CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WAS JERKY (AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL). DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO INCIDENT (ABOUT 5 MILES). I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE(S) BROKE AND DISINTEGRATED INTO THE OIL PAN. ENGINE POSSIBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND ON THIS SITE SHOWS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF MINI OWNERS (SINCE 2008) AND COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WHY AREN'T THERE RECALLS YET???? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473870September 5, 2012
STEERING
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW 4 TIMES WITH VERY DIFFICULT STEERING. NO LOSS OF FLUID ON THE PAVEMENT OR SQUEALING NOISES. AFTER ENGINE COOLS DOWN, POWER STEERING AGAIN WORKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473686September 4, 2012
ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACED JULY OF 2011 NOW AUG31,2012 LOUD NOISE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED SO REPLACED & TENSIONER REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473687September 4, 2012
STEERING
RIGHT AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUDDENLY VERY STIFF AS I WAS MAKING A STANDARD 90 TURN. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME BUT DIDN'T AS I MANAGED TO HIT THE BRAKES. I FINISHED THE CURVE ON THE VERY LAST LANE ON THE RIGHT. IF A CAR HAD BEEN ON MY WAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NONE. MINI DIAGNOSED A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. BROWSING ON THE WEB, I CAME ACROSS PAGES OF PEOPLE HAVING HAD THE SAME ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR'S MODEL (MINI COOPER S 2005). CANADIAN AUTHORITIES EVEN ORDERED A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME FAILURE. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT NHTSA IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THIS ISSUE; COULD YOU PLEASE CONFIRM THIS IS TRUE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT A RECALL WILL BE DECIDED IF A RECALL WAS DECIDED, WOULD WE GET REIMBURSE NOT MATTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE IN A MINI DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE ? THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473711September 4, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AS I WAS DRIVING (TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED - IN A BEND IN THE ROAD--VERY SCARY). ALSO, AROUND THIS TIME, COULD NOT START UP THE CAR--CAR ENGINE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER BUT WOULDN'T UNTIL ABOUT MY 6TH ATTEMPT. I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR BEFORE. I MIGHT ADD THAT RECENTLY, BEFORE I HAD THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE FAST PICK UP THAT IT USE TO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473732September 4, 2012
ENGINE
DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNT OIL. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO I PULLED OVER, IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THOUGH THERE WAS NO FIRE IT APPEARED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TURBO FROM THE OIL FEED LINE. AFTER LETTING THE CAR COOL I PROCEEDED HOME. NOW WHENEVER THE CAR IS SITTING IDLE I CAN SMELL BURNT OIL AND AFTER GETTING HOME I CAN SEE OIL POOLING ON THE TOP OF THE TURBO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONNECTION ON THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE LINE AND HEAT FROM THE TURBO AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THIS AT MY OWN COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473789September 4, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473303September 2, 2012
ENGINE
IN JANUARY 2012 WITH 37,000 MILES ON IT MY MINI STARTED HAVING VERY NOISY STARTS. THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY AFTER IT WARMED UP. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MINI DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER GUIDES ETC FOR HALF PRICE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473235September 1, 2012
STEERING
COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. FAULTY/FAILED PUMP INTERNAL CONTROL CIRCUITRY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473236September 1, 2012
ENGINE
WATER PUMP/SUPER CHARGER FAIL CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEAT. HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP/SUPER CHARGE ASSEMBLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473282September 1, 2012
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
GENERALLY, I LOVE THE MINI COOPER HAVING PURCHASED IT IN THE AFTER MARKET. HOWEVER, NOT LONG AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, I HAD PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH MY STEERING WHEEL SEIZING UP BUT AN INCIDENT IN FEBRUARY 2012 STICKS OUT MOST IN MY MIND SINCE I WAS ON I-95 IN THE RAIN AND COULD NOT ADEQUATELY STEER THE CAR TO TAKE AN EXIT. MY 11 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME AT THE TIME. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUME DRIVING. FINANCIALLY, I COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BUT THE CONDITION AND WORK AROUND CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS WHEN I COULD AFFORD THE REPAIR. IN EARLY MAY 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND IT COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE COOLING FAN ALSO NEEDED REPAIR FOR ANOTHER $720 -- I JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT. TODAY, MY 2-YR OLD BATTERY FAILED APPARENTLY DUE TO DRAINING FROM THE FAN. FOR NOW, I REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR $249. I WILL BE INCREMENTALLY GETTING REPAIRS DONE, HOWEVER, IN READING SOME PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE STEERING PUMP, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME RELEVANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP GOING BAD AND AN IMPACT ON THE FAN. I'D APPRECIATE ANY INSIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE ON THAT POSSIBILITY. I AM REPORTING THIS NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHERS WHO ALSO MAY BE IMPACTED BY THE PUMP DEFECT THAT I AM LEARNING IS SOMEWHAT COMMON. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473192August 31, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE LATCHES ON THE REAR DOORS FAILED AND WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. HAD TO TIED DOORS DOWN WITH ROPE IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I WAS FORTUNATE THE LATCHES FAILED WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING; COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. MINI HAS THIS AS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT CHARGED ME $233 TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473194August 31, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE CAR HAS NEVER REGISTERED THE CORRECT MILES PER HOUR. THE SPEEDOMETER REPORTS HIGHER THAN ACTUAL MILES PER HOUR BY AS MUCH AS 10%. I'VE COMPLAINED MANY TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO GET USED TO IT. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD FIX AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NAVIGATION SYSTEM IF I WANTED TO KNOW HOW FAST I WAS REALLY GOING. I ASKED IF THEY AFFECTED MY ACTUAL MILEAGE AND THEY SAID NO, BUT I AM SUSPICIOUS TO THAT. DEALER IS DOWNTOWN MINI 350 LAKE DESTINY DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473071August 30, 2012
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING THE CURB AND PULLED OVER AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN. IT FELT LIKE DRIVING WITH FOUR FLAT TIRES. AFTER RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. IN BOTH CASES, THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473100August 30, 2012
STEERING
HAD JUST MADE MINOR ENGINE REPAIRS - HOSES - BELT - THERMOSTAT - WATER PUMP - OIL CHANGE - OIL FILTER - AIR FILTER - LESS THEN ONE WEEK - 30MP MAKING LEFT TURN - GRIPPING VERY HARD ON THE WHEEL TO FINISH THE TURN - NO POWER STEERING - TESTED FAN - FAN OK - PULLED STEERING PUMP OFF - WHAT DO I DO NOW - BUY PUMP - CALL DEALER - WAIT TO HERE FROM YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473098August 30, 2012
ENGINE
WATER PUMP FOR TURBOCHARGER REPLACED IN MAY (RECALL) AND TURBOCHARGER WARRANTY EXTENDED VIA MINI OF AMERICA LETTER. TURBOCHARGER FAILED IN AUGUST, BUT MINI OF AUSTIN BLAMED FAILURE ON LACK OF OIL CHANGES. ALL OIL CHANGES PERFORMED BY THAT DEALERSHIP WHENEVER THE CAR TOLD US IT WAS DUE. CRAPPY RESPONSE FROM MINI OF AMERICA AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472537August 27, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING FAILED, COMMON PROBLEM IN 2004 MINI COOPER. CANADA HAS ISSUED A RECALL IN JANUARY 2012. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472540August 27, 2012
STEERING
MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON A WINDY BACK ROAD, ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE THE TURN, AND SINCE IT HAS FAILED COMPLETELY. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP (MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT) LAST WEEK TO FINALLY GET THE PART REPLACED (QUOTED $1700 AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS) THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON REPLIED WITH, "HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL?" OVERJOYED I DROVE MY MINI IN THIS MORNING AT 7AM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RECALL AND I AM STILL ON THE HOOK FOR THE $1700. NOT PLEASED. CALLING MINI TODAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472592August 27, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ..UPDATED 11/29/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND WOULD RUN, UNTIL THE BATTERY DRAINED. UPDATED 12/03/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472621August 27, 2012
STEERING
WAS DRIVING ON AN OVERPASS BETWEEN FREEWAYS WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BEGINNING MY TURN, AND COULD NOT CONTROL OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT THE RAILING. CARS HAD TO DODGE QUICKLY TO NOT HIT ME. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE - BUT WAS REALLY SHOOK UP. CONTINUED DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES LATER AND IT DID IT AGAIN PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT. LATER THAT DAY, STARTED THE CAR AND ONCE AGAIN NO POWER STEERING. HAD IT TOWED HOME, AND CHECKED IT THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, WITHOUT SUCCESS (TO GET IT TO A GARAGE) THEN THIS MORNING IT STARTED WORKING. DROVE 1/2 MILE TO GARAGE, AND IT DID IT AGAIN. CALLED BMW SERVICE AND THE MANAGER ACTED LIKE THIS WAS UNUSUAL AND SAID TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. CALLED ANOTHER BMW AND THE SAME STORY. CHECKED WITH MY GERMAN MECHANIC DOWN THE STREET AND HE SAID THAT IS THE #1 REASON HE SEES MINI'S 2005 IN THE STOP. 2ND WAS MY CONVERTIBLE TOP, WHICH QUITE IRONICALLY BROKE THE SAME DAY AS MY POWER STEERING. THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T DISENGAGE. I'M LOOKING AT OVER $3000 TO FIX A CAR WITH ONLY 42K MILES ON IT. SHOULDN'T THESE PARTS BE RECALLED? I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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