Spontaneous engine fire of 2015 Mini Cooper S Countryman while parked and not used for 48 hours prior. The fire department guessed it was an electrical issue. It was put out with water and a fire extinguisher but the engine was severely damaged, melted plastic everywhere, electrical wiring burned completely and more. The engine appears unfixable, the front window was cracked by the heat and the hood with paint was burnt.
The car starts but within a few second, the dashboard starts flashing with all of the warning lights and sounds. The speedometer and RPM needles move up and down frantically. I can drive the car, but I cannot tell at what speed I am going and if I put a turning signal I am not always able to stop it from flashing. Mini service found that the fuse box part # Main Fuse Box – Mini (61-35-9-813-622) that control the electric component of the car is defective. They also told me that the part is in back order worldwide for 11 months and they cannot get it for me, but they can place an order for it. I found out from MINI directly that there are 400 of that part in back order. My car is now in my driveway for the last two months and still no news about receiving the part. My registration is due for renewal in November, and it will not pass safety inspection, and I will end up with a lemon in my driveway. I still have a loan with Mini and I cannot even sell my car to pay for the remainder of that loan.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The vehicle shifts between reverse, neutral and drive without the automatic shift knob being pressed. This is an absolute safety issues, since it can shift at speed, causing a major accident. This is an ongoing issue. But don’t see a recall for it. I’ve contacted Mini of San Francisco.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The vanos solenoid failed in the 2015 Mini Cooper, and immediately after the Alternator failed. My safety was put at risk in multiple ways: 1 - The engine was in a non-drivable state 2 - Significant smell gasoline was coming from the car 3 - Car had to be towed to a shop to determine what failed 4 - The shop fixed the vanos solenoid The problem was confirmed by the independent service center. When the vanos solenoid failed, the Check Engine and Oil lights came on. By the time the lights came on however, the vehicle was undrivable. When the alternator failed, the battery light came on. Repair of the vanos solenoid was $279.44 Towing to the shop was $155.00
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Second failure of the FRM electrical board on the drivers side (part # 61356827070) within a year. I have only owned the vehicle for 14 months. Mini dealer advised this is known problem - water entering the vehicle causing corrosion and malfunction of the FRM board. I was advised there IS a recall for this problem on several other Mini Cooper models but not for the Countryman S (vehicle I own). Estimate for repair is $1939 for the FRM board including labor AND $3,000 for the "water test" to determine where the leak is coming from. My son was driving the vehicle when electrical problem started. Driver window went down and could not be raised, turn signals would not operate and headlights could not be operated then went on and could not be turned (even when the key was removed) off which killed the battery. Vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle is currently at the Mini dealer in Latham NY until we can figure out what to do. Certified Dealer technician confirmed FRM board malfunction advising it could not be repaired and had to be replaced. There was no indication or warning lights prior to the board malfunction.
No injuries · No fire · No crash