MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10399721May 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE 2008 MINI COOPER S, I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVEN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. BUT LATELY, THREE YEARS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT TO THE BMW DEALER BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECTS THAT MAY LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAR FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399475May 8, 2011
STEERING
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. THIS IS MUCH HARDER TO STEER THAN A CAR WHICH NEVER HAD POWER STEERING TO BEGIN WITH. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399432May 7, 2011
STEERING
WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME FROM A SOCCER TOURNAMENT, TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING FAILED-I COULD ONLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 1" IN EACH DIRECTION. TERRIFYING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE-I'LL PROBABLY NEED TO TOW IT TO THE MECHANIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399444May 7, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR, A 2003 MINI COPPER, SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHILE I APPLIED BRAKE IN A EVENING TRAFFIC THAT WAS SLOWING DOWN NEAR A LIGHT/SIGNAL. IT FELT LIKE A STALL AND A LOSS OF POWER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, AND ON CONFUSION, I TRIED TO ADJUST THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR'S POWER CAME BACK AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD AND HIT THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING A 2' DENT AND CRACK ON THE FRONT BUMPER. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS A LOW-SPEED IMPACT AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY PERSONAL INJURY. SINCE THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER CHECKING THE WEB. THEY SUGGESTED CHECKING THE SOFTWARE VERSION ($90) AND A REVISION ($180). THE COST OF FIXING THE BUMPER WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399293May 6, 2011
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
VIN: [XXX], DELIVERED SEPT. 2004. CURRENT MILEAGE 49,940 THIS CAR WAS ORDERED VIA MINI.COM. THE ONLY DRIVERS ARE A 63 YR FEMALE AND A 63 YR MALE. NO CHILDREN HAVE EVER DRIVEN THIS CAR, NOR HAS IT BEEN RACED, DRIVEN HARD, SIMPLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, A 11 MILE TRIP MAX SPEED ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY. THE FRONT END MADE A HUGE NOISE, THE CAR SHOOK, AND I STOPPED. I HAD TO CALL A TOWING SERVICE, AS I FELT THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE SERVICE TOWED THE CAR TO MINI OF NASHVILLE, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE "HARMONIC BALANCER" BROKE, AND IT THEN BROKE THE FRONT AXLE. WHAT? I ASKED, IS A HARMONIC BALANCER" AND WHAT DOES IT DO?, AFTER A LENGTHY CONVERSATION, I FIND OUT THAT IF THE CAR IS TOO OLD, THE RUBBER DRIES OUT AND THIS CAN HAPPEN. FOR A PART TO WEAR OUT, I AM STUCK WITH $2,000 REPAIR BILL. THIS CAR IS NOT TOO OLD, IT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. IF THE PARTS MINI USES ON A CAR AND IF MINI KNOWS THAT THEY WEAR OUT THEN MINI SHOULD FULLY DISCLOSE THIS, AS CONSUMERS CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ON CAR PURCHASES. THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECT FROM A MINI, THIS CAR WAS GENTLY DRIVEN, WELL TAKEN CARE OF. YOUR "HARMONIC BALANCER" IS DEFECTIVE, YOU SHOULD MAKE THE BUYERS OF YOUR CARS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, PUT YOURSELF IN POSITIONS TO MAKE IT RIGHT. THIS CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE, I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED IF A BROKEN AXLE OCCURRED WHILE ON A LONG TRIP, LET ALONE THE INCONVENIENCE OF REPAIRS, HOTEL STAYS, AND OTHER INTERRUPTIONS. I AM EXPECTING MINI MAKE THIS REPAIR AS A WARRANTIED ITEM, COVERING THE COST, LABOR TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE INVOICE IS DATED 29 APRIL 2011, MINI OF NASHVILLE, I AM CUSTOMER # 31442. THE INVOICE READS AS FOLLOWS: THE DRIVER STATES WHILE DRIVING IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MINI. 11 - REPLACED DAMPNER. 1035 C THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS OF THIS ON THE WEB. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE RESULT OF USING INFERIOR PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399298May 6, 2011
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING FAILED 2 DAYS AGO ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER S WITH ONLY 36,600 MILES. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE & YET BMW/MINI REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT & NOT ON MY DAILY HIGHWAY COMMUTE OR DURING MY RECENT VACATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399355May 6, 2011
AIR BAGS
2004 MINI COOPER S AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. DEALER WANTS $1000 TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399236May 5, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AT 67K MILES AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO GET CHECKED AT THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS BEGINNING TO FAIL AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH A WATER PUMP LEAK. THE TIMING CHAIN IS A KNOWN FAILURE AND STILL HAS NO RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399260May 5, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399157May 4, 2011
STEERING
FOR THE PAST WEEK, THE POWER STEERING ON MY CAR HAS FAILED TWICE. WHEN IT FAILS, I WILL SUDDENLY BE UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, E.G. WHILE MAKING AT TURN WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL STREETS, ON AN ON-RAMP TO A FREEWAY, AND ALSO WHILE PARKING, MAYBE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WITHIN REASONABLE TIME. WHILE DRIVING LOCAL STREET, I HAVE HAD TO SLOW DOWN (FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITH MY OWN ARMS) AND NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 08/17/11*BF *TR UPDATED 02/02/2012 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398849May 3, 2011
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PERFORMING TURNS OR ACTIONS WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN OVER/UNDER STEERING. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399037May 3, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED AS CAR WAS MOVING. NO APPARENT REASON FOR FAILURE. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL CAR WITHOUT THE STEERING. I WAS NOT GOING TOO FAST BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. STEERING REMAINED UNUSUABLE UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND COOLED SLIGHTLY. WHEN I STARTED IT, IT WAS FINE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR OR SO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398618May 2, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398694May 2, 2011
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS. SIMPLY CYCLING THE IGNITION GETS IT WORKING AGAIN BUT IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN IN MY BOOK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398440May 1, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE CHARGE CIRCUIT LIGHT CAME ON AND I SMELLED A HEATED ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE POWER STEERING HAD CUT OUT, SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON AND DROVE HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS MODEL MINI COOPER HAVE POWER STEERING PUMPS THAT FAIL AROUND 70,000 MILES. I DROVE TO MY JOB ON SUNDAY, AND THE CAR MADE THE ROUND TRIP, EXCEPT JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398373April 30, 2011
INTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
OCCASIONALLY AND INTERMITTENTLY, THE DIGITAL AUDIO DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE OF MY MINI'S LARGE SPEEDOMETER WINDOW GOES BLANK, WHILE ALLOWING YOU TO CHANGE CHANNELS AND CHOOSE FUNCTIONS (IPOD, TELEPHONE, RADIO, SATELLITE) WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE CHOOSING. THE GAS MILEAGE DIGITAL DISPLAY ABOVE THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS READABLE AT ALL TIMES. OCCASIONALLY ALSO AN ORANGE LINE WILL GO THROUGH THE DIGITAL AUDIO DISPLAY HINDERING THE ABILITY TO READ IT COMPLETELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF PURCHASING IT NEW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED WITHOUT A REPAIR AFTER 2 DAYS AT THE SHOP. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE DISPLAY EACH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398295April 29, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MOVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,331.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398949April 28, 2011
STEERING
WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE NOTICED THAT STEERING FELT "HEAVY", THEN AS I PROCEEDED FORWARD, ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST CEASED. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES (WITH NO WARNING) IN THE PAST, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POWER STEERING OUTAGE MAY LAST A FEW MINUTES, OR A FEW DAYS. THE OUTAGE REPORTED HERE LASTED 10 DAYS. THE CAR CAN BE STEERED, BUT ONLY WITH GREAT EFFORT.. VERY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398091April 28, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE LAST TIME THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO START IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398001April 27, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND CABIN LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD OFTEN BECOME LOCKED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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