MINI Cooper Complaints
4,588 consumer complaints on file.
- #10659559December 17, 2014ENGINE
2007 MINI COOPER. WAS INFORMED THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF A CRACKED VALVE COVER WHICH WAS LEAKING. *TA
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664266December 15, 2014ENGINE
I WAS HEARING A LOUD RATTLE AND BROUGHT MY MINI IN TO GET SERVICED RIGHT AWAY. IT WAS MISDIAGNOSED AND NOW I FEAR IT HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ISSUE. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN YOU LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND ARE TRYING TO GO THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING A BLIZZARD AND THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER AND YOU ALMOST GET T-BONED BY A TRUCK I WOULD TEND TO DISAGREE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664307December 15, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH BUT IT SURE SCARED ME. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND MAY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF IT. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN MINI'S UNRESPONSIVENESS TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664349December 15, 2014STEERING
I WAS CHANGING LANES IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATION AND MY POWER STEERING QUIT CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE IN THE "CHANGING" DIRECTION. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HIT A CAR IN ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE INTO THE INTENDED LANE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664381December 15, 2014ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR THREE MILES IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664125December 14, 2014SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS MINI COOPER A 2003 W/130K MILES DRIVEN BY A YOUNG FEMALE. SHE HAD NO IDEA HER WHEEL WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. SHE HAD CALLED FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND INTERMITTENT BATTERY FAILURE. IT WAS ASK THAT I DRIVE THE CAR AND LISTEN TO A POP COMING FROM THE WHEEL SECTION. THE POP WAS THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MOVING FORWARDS AND BACK BUMPING THE WHEEL WELLS AS THE CAR WENT FORWARD. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN'T DRIVE FAR NOR DID I ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 10 MPH. I TOLD THE PARENT OF THE DRIVER THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE UNDER ANY CONDITION AND THAT IT NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING RUBBER WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT. THIS PART IS A MOUNT AND IT'S HOLDING MANY COMPONENTS OF THIS CAR TOGETHER. IT IS NOTHING LIKE I HAVE SEEN BEFORE USED AS A MOUNT. I HAVE SEEN THE RUBBER WORN FROM THIS TYPE PART BUT THEY WERE NOT BEING USED AS A MOUNT. WHEN THE RUBBER ON THIS PART DETERIORATES IT CAUSES THE MOUNT TO BE UNSTABLE RESULTING IN THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MOVING LIKE A SWING FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION THIS COULD BE DEVASTATING TO MORE THAN JUST THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR BUT ALSO TO THE CARS DRIVING NEAR IF THE WHEEL WERE TO COME OFF IN THEIR TRAFFIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE MINI COOPER WOULD IMMEDIATELY FAIL IN TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKE CYLINDERS HITTING THE ROAD CAUSING FLYING SPARKS, IF REAR ENDED IT WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY FLIP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED SECOND HAND AS ARE A LOT OF CARS. THIS IS NOT A PART ON ANYONE'S CHECK LIST AND NOT ONE YOU CONSIDER TO BE ONE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BUT I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THIS CAR. I AM MERELY CONCERNED AT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DETERIORATION OF THE RUBBER AND WHAT THOSE IMPLICATIONS MEAN TO THE OTHER PURPOSE THIS PART IS SUPPOSE TO PERFORM AND CAN'T WHEN THE RUBBER IS GONE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10664077December 13, 2014ENGINE
THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FOR THE MINI COOPER WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEGIN RATTLING AND WAS INSPECTED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI. REPAIR FOR THIS JOB IS 2000 USD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS PRICE TAG.THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO WORK. IMAGINE GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHAIN SNAP. LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY THE DRIVER IS AT RISK BUT OTHER AS WELL. WHAT IF IT CAUSE A FAMILY IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT. LET'S SAY 3 CAR WERE INVOLVED FILLED WITH FAMILIES BUT ONE PERSON DIED. YOU ARE CAUSING A LIFETIME OF HEARTACHE FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FAULT IN YOUR ENGINE. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PEOPLE LIVES ARE AT STAKE. IT'S BETTER THAT MINI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IS MONEY SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO MINI THAN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. THE LIVES OF FAMILIES. IF FUTURE ACCIDENT CAN BE AVOIDED. IT MUST START NOW. DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THIS RECALL HAPPEN. DON'T LET ME START ON CARBON BUILDUP. ENGINE DESIGN WASN'T TESTED THOROUGHLY. EVERYONE SHOULD BE GIVEN A COURTESY CLEAN EVERY 70000 MILES OR SO. ALREADY SHOW SIGN OF CARBON BUILDUP WITH 48K MILES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10663367December 10, 2014STEERING
WHILE ADJUSTING THE TILT CONTROL ON MY MINI COOPER, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD BECOME LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT TWO METAL BRACKETS USED TO SUPPORT THE STEERING COLUMN AND ATTENDANT ASSEMBLY HAD SHEERED OFF, APPARENTLY UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10663389December 10, 2014AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT, NOTING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, REMAINS ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT. WITH NO PASSENGER PRESENT IN THE SEAT, IT STILL REMAINS ON, TELLING ME THE AIRBAG IS INACTIVE. THERE IS A WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT TRIGGERS THIS LIGHT, AND IT APPEARS THIS SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW HAS REMAINED ON FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A VERY CHEAP PART, AND THAT THE REPAIR MUST ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEALER. I FEEL THAT MINI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FIX, AS IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE ON THE CAR, AND IT HAS AFFECTED MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, WITH CARS BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2005. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10663159December 9, 2014POWER TRAIN, STEERING
TRANSMISSION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10663208December 9, 2014ENGINE
ON 27-OCT-2014, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT GAVE A MESSAGE ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND THE MESSAGE JUST SAID TO SLOW DOWN WHICH I DID. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY SINCE IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE.IT WAS REAL SHAKY AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS AND CHECKED EVERYTHING FROM THE COILS, SPARK PLUGS, RAN A COMPRESSION TEST WHICH SHOWED THAT CYLINDER 3 WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER, ETC. THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS OR FLUIDS FOUND IN THAT AREA LIKE THEY HAD EXPECTED SINCE THAT WAS THE ONLY CYLINDER THAT WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I CONTACTED MINIUSA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE VEHICLE OUT OF GOODWILL BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES/ENGINES (R56). NEEDLESS TO SAY, MINIUSA WOULD NOT FIX THE REPAIR NOR WOULD THEY RESPOND TO MY EMAILS. MINI OF CONCORD OFFERED TO COVER 25% OF THE COST LEAVING ME TO PAY $3600 OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS FAULTY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10663216December 9, 2014POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP. THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT ERRATICALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND WE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A MESSAGE SHOWS UP "EP" WHICH MEANS TRANSMISSION IS ON EMERGENCY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10662631December 7, 2014UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RATTLING SOUND DURING START UP AND EARLY IN IN DRIVING SEQUENCES, THAT COMES ALONG WITH A LOSS OF POWERE OR ACCELERATION. THE RATTLING SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE (PASSENGER SIDE) . *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10662658December 7, 2014AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FOR ONE THING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE PART; INTERNET FORUMS AND THE DEALERSHIP INDICATE THERE IS A BACKLOG FOR THIS PART. THIS SUGGESTS THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS $900.00. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $1,348.00 FOR LABOR. NO WONDER BMW/MINI ARE NOT INTERESTED IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO COVER AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. CAN YOU FOLLOW UP ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10662327December 5, 2014SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 12/04/2014 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVE GOING ABOUT 75 MPH. A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME BECAME TOO CLOSE BECAUSE HE WAS GOING SLOWER. MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING AND I HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, AND DE-ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. HOWEVER NOTHING HAPPENED AND MY MINI-COOPER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HIT THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK. I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON/OFF AND TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND I STOPPED ACCELERATING. I CHANGED LANES TO PULL OVER, HOWEVER I HAD NO BRAKES. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AS THERE WAS A BIG HILL, HOWEVER WITH NO BRAKES I WENT FLYING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHILE HONKING MY HORN, AND THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. THE ONLY OPTION WAS BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE LIGHT AND I EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN AND THEN USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I REALLY PANICKED AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. THE TRUCK HAD NO DAMAGE, HOWEVER THE MINI-COOPER GOT A DENT ON THE HOOD. THIS ALSO HAPPENED BRIEFLY ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WHERE I HIT THE BRAKE AND MY MINI CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL, HOWEVER WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT TIME, THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND I HAD A CLOSE MISS OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER CAR. IN HINDSIGHT I SHOULD HAVE PUT MY 6 SPEED IN NEUTRAL OR TURNED OFF THE CAR. AT THE TIME, THESE OPTIONS DIDN'T COME TO ME IN A PANICKED STATE. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10661475December 1, 2014STEERING
POWER STEERING WHINE *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10661487December 1, 2014STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP IS VERY LOUD WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. CAN BE VERY HARD TO TURN WHEEL AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING HAS CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING. MINI HAS A RECALL BUT WONT FIX FOR ME. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10661056November 26, 2014STEERING, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NIGHT DRIVING IN COLORADO MTNS. LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER AND POWER STEERING FAILED. FOUND SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF LIGHTS AND ENGINE. RESTARTED AND TURNED LIGHTS BACK ON TO RESUME DRIVING WITHIN A FEW MINUETS LIGHTS FLICKERED AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. HAD TO CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MILES UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO PULL OVER AGAIN. ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF HEAD LIGHTS AND USE FOG LIGHTS ON COUNTY DIRT ROAD, STILL LIGHTS FLICKERED/DIMMED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS PARKED AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO RESEARCH RECALL MATTERS WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. SUPERIOR DRIVING SKILL IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITH NONFUNCTIONAL POWER STEERING. AVERAGE OPERATORS WILL HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING SAFE OPERATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS ISSUE WILL LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE IF NOT ADDRESSED. NEAREST DEALER FOR MINI IS 130 MILES DISTANT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10660941November 25, 2014WHEELS:RIM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRE RIMS WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THREE TIRE RIMS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,342. DATED 01/23/15*LJ UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10660564November 24, 2014AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0