MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10413821July 20, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REVIEWED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEGAN TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413323July 18, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413410July 18, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
I OWN A 2004 MINI COOPER, THE POWER STEERING PUMP COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO EUREKA SPRINGS ARKANSAS WHEN THIS HAPPENED, LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONE DRIVING, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT HAD BEEN ME. I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR THROUGH THOSE CURVES. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413466July 18, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ON 2005 MINI COOPER LEADS TO DANGEROUS DRIVING *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414129July 16, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHILE MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE RELAY IN THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN HAD FAILED LIKELY AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAN FAILING. BOTH THE AUXILIARY ENGINE FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND LABOR WAS $1060.14.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412386July 15, 2011
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2004 MINI COOPER S FAILED, LEADING TO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. AT SPEED THE CAR IS OK, IF A BIT CUMBERSOME. AT LOW SPEEDS OR IN A PARKING LOT, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT - RESTARTING THE CAR SOMETIMES RESTORED CONTROL. HOWEVER, FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS THE POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY DEAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412425July 15, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE; IMMEDIATE FAILURE. AT ABOUT 36,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 60,000 MILES, THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED BY PULLING ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE MULTIPLE TIMES OR OPENING THE WINDOW & USING THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A CABLE THAT COMES OFF A PULLEY IN THE OPENING MECHANISM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE IN ITS PROPER POSITION; THE FIX LASTED ABOUT 2 YEARS BEFORE RE-OCCURRING CAUSING THE CAR TO FAIL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO MINI/BMW AND IS REPORTED IN MANY ONLINE MINI COOPER FORUMS. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412424July 15, 2011
STEERING
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. AT TIMES, THERE WOULD BE NO POWER STEERING ASSIST; RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. ULTIMATELY, THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE A BUILT-IN ELECTRICAL RELAY IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP THAT STICKS. ONLY REPLACEMENT OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PUMP. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412150July 13, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY FAILED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POWER STEERING FAILURES ARE UNFORTUNATELY ALMOST GUARANTEED IN MY YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND MINI USA HAS EVEN REDESIGNED THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO THE HIGH FAILURE RATE, AND ALSO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE FAN DUE TO HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF SHORTING OR FIRE. I PARTICIPATE IN AN ENTHUSIAST FORUM WHERE THESE REPORTS ARE COMMON WHICH IS WHY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY, TO AVOID FURTHER IN-DRIVING FAILURE OR WORSE, A CAR FIRE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST AND IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT NEITHER NHTSA NOR MINI USA HAS RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR WHAT IS AN ALMOST GUARANTEED FAILURE WITH OBVIOUS AND POTENTIALLY GRAVE SAFETY RISKS. I AM PAYING $1200 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH IS EXPENSIVE BUT NOT OUT OF LINE WITH WHAT OTHERS ARE PAYING AND WORTH MY PERSONAL PIECE OF MIND SINCE MINI USA WILL NOT PUBLICLY ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A 2003 MINI COOPER S WITH 87,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412155July 13, 2011
STEERING
I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 2004 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. I HAVE DONE HOURS OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE CONTACTED HALF A DOZEN MINI DEALERSHIPS TO FIND OUT, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM (ON 2001-2005 MODELS) AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO WARNING (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) WHEN THIS PART GOES DEFECTIVE, SO BASICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING JUST SHUTS OFF LEAVING ABOUT 30LBS OF PRESSURE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. GOOD THING I AM A STRONG MALE, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ASSISTANCE. BY NO MEANS AM I SEXIST, BUT BELIEVE ME THIS CAR IS REALLY HARD TO MANEUVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE. THE COST OF REPAIRS RANGES FROM $1000-$1500 ($800 JUST FOR THE PUMP), PLUS $200 FOR HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412183July 13, 2011
AIR BAGS
WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE LIGHT WHICH INDICATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I USED THE SAME WRITE-UP ON A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AS THE SYMPTOMS ARE ACCURATE FOR MY 2005 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, WITH APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411722July 11, 2011
STEERING
ON MY 2009 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. OUR TEENAGER WAS PRIACTICING PARALLEL PARKING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON A HOT DAY. AFTER IT FAILED, WE TURNED OFF THE CAR. TWO HOURS LATER WHEN WE RESTARTED THE CAR IT WAS FUNCTIONING AGAIN. THE DEALER, SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY CAN REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY HAVE NOT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) T
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412648July 11, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT MAKING CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF CAR. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412538July 10, 2011
STEERING
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO STAY WITHIN THE CURVE OF THE OFF RAMP WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO KEEP THE AUTO FROM GOING OFF THE RAMP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411468July 8, 2011
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON I-65 AT 62 MPH. RIGHT AS I APPROACHED THE ON RAMP TO I-265, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I ALMOST DID NOT GET THE WHEEL TURNED IN TIME TO MAKE THE CURVE. I HAD NO WARNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411490July 8, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,387. I STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE. I THEN ACCELERATED TO MAKE THE RIGHT TURN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THEN IT BARELY LET ME TURN IT TO DRIVE, AND PULL OVER. THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND TOOK IT TO MINI DEALER. IT COST 2240.00 TO FIX. THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. UPDATED 10/07/2011 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411560July 8, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING COOLING FAN FAILED. POWER STEERING PUMP GOT VERY HOT AND ALL THE FLUID BOILED AWAY. PUMP DID NOT FAIL BUT IS PROBABLY DAMAGED AND FAILURE CAN BE EXPECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411563July 8, 2011
STEERING
WHILE LEAVING A SHOPPING CENTER MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HOME AND I VERY CAUTIOUSLY PROCEEDED HOME. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THERE IS EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003-2006 MINI COOPER. SOME HAVE NARROWLY ESCAPED INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411566July 8, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING DOWN A MULTI-STORY PARKING LOT. VERY SCARY. CAR CORRECTED ITSELF. LATER THAT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED MY MECHANIC (A MINI MECHANIC) AND WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH 2002-2005 MINI COOPERS. WILL NEED TO REPLACE PUMP AND FAN WHICH WILL COST ME $1200 INC. LABOR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MINI USA IS VERY AWARE OF. THEY RELEASED A CAR WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS (INC. CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES) HOW CAN THEY DO THIS? SO FAR O ONE HAS BEEN KILLED (THAT WE KNOW OF) BUT I KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410828July 7, 2011
AIR BAGS
2005 MINI COOPER WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TURNED OFF WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ISSUE STARTED DURING A COLD NY WINTER AFTER 5 YRS OF FAULT FREE OPERATION. NORMALLY THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL SENSE THE WEIGHT OF A PASSENGER AND AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST THE FORCE OF A DEPLOYING AIRBAG. DEALER REPORTED FAULTY SEAT MAT SENSOR WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF $1300 WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. AFTER EXTENSIVE INTERNET SEARCH FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, THESE SENSOR MATS FAIL AT A REGULAR RATE, AND ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. DUE TO THE HIGH COST AND REPEATED FAILURE THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT BEING PERFORMED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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