MINI Cooper Complaints (2011)
200 consumer complaints on file.
- #10864960May 15, 2016AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ENABLES AIRBAG WHEN EXTREMELY LIGHT ITEMS ARE PLACED IN THE SEAT SUCH AS A CELL PHONE. CAR COULD DEPLOY AIRBAG WITH SMALL OCCUPANT IN SEAT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10862893May 3, 2016AIR BAGS
I AM THE OWNER OF THIS CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON LINE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THIS CAR. MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ARE LISTED AND YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I SUPPOSEDLY NEED TO REPLACE SOME PARTS AND LABOR TO THE TUNE OF $1904!!! I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY. SINCE YOU HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR CONVERTIBLES IN THE MINI AND RECALLED CARS IN THE BMW LINE FOR THIS, WHY ISN'T THIS A COVERED EXPENSE? IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS SET UP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMERS ARE LEFT TO WORRY ABOUT FIXING IT. ANY PRODUCT THAT HAS A DEFECT AND IS STILL SOLD NEEDS TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THEIR BUYERS AND FIX THINGS THAT ARE WELL KNOWN AS PROBLEMS. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS AND I AM OFTEN IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS DUE TO THE AIR BAG NOT CONNECTED CORRECTLY I FEEL THAT ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE MINI/BMW PLANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE. YOU HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM AND YOU ARE PUTTING PROFIT BEFORE CONSUMERS. THIS IS A DISGUSTING WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10860685April 21, 2016ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10859916April 16, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS SPRING THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) SUN ROOF DRAIN HOSE CAME OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING. WATER POURED DOWN THE FRONT PILLAR FLOODING THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX AND PUTTING APPROX. 2 " OF WATER INTO THE FLOOR. (FOUND THIS OUT AFTER IT BROKE DOWN) THE CAR WAS DRIED OUT AND NOT KNOWING THE CAUSE FLOODED AGAIN. I READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND REATTACHED THE HOSE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH ONE OF THE WORST INTERSTATE INTERSECTIONS IN MA, RT3 AND 93 MERGE, AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED. SHE GOT THE CAR TO START AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY GOT TO A SAFE PLACE OFF THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED. FIRST OF ALL HOW IS THIS DESIGN EVEN ALLOWED? BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM YET DID NOTHING TO TRY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OR NOTIFY US OF SUCH A POOR DESIGN DEFECT. (IT TOOK ME 15 MINUTES TO FIX). THE DEALER WANTED $2550. TO REPAIR. MY WIFE AND SISTER IN LAW COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10855015April 12, 2016ENGINE
THERE IS A LOUD CLANGING COMING FROM THE MOTOR, THE ENGINE LOST OIL, IT IS BEING TOWED TO A MECHANIC - THE DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, THE CAR HAS ABOUT 65,000 MILES, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2008 - 2010 MINIS FOR THIS PROBLEM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10853567April 5, 2016ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN ISSUE LEAD TO OIL LEAK IN ENGINE. 2008-2010 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AFTER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. MY MODEL IS ONE YEAR OUTSIDE THE OFFICIAL BMW RECALL. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THAT'S WHEN THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME I COULDN'T DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT THE REPAIRS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS NEARLY $2000 SINCE I AM ALSO OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTEE PERIOD. I HAVE READ THAT IF THIS ISSUE WASN'T FOUND, IT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE EITHER WHEN IDLE OR DRIVING. I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES OR INCUR FURTHER COSTS. OTHER 2011 MINI COOPER DRIVERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL WARNING FROM BMW. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10850122March 16, 2016UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DROVE CAR ABOUT 4 MILES. PARKED AT SHOPPING CENTER, TURNED OFF CAR AND LOCKED IT. RETURNED 15 MINS LATER TO FIND FLAMES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10839479March 2, 2016ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
LETTER FROM SENATOR FLAKE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2011 MINI COOPER. (PLEASE RESPOND BY FAX OR ELECTRONIC MAIL: [email protected]). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED EXTREMELY, PAINFUL , SCARING BURNS FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHILE LEANING OVER TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER STATED IF ONE IS FACING THE CENTER TRUNK, THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THE METAL IS NOT COATED TO OFFER PROTECTION. *JB UPDATED 03/07/16.*JB UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10839300March 1, 2016VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFT. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTIONED INDEPENDENTLY AND DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10822111January 25, 2016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED EVEN WHEN THE ACCERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10819675January 12, 2016ENGINE
TIMINIG CHAIN TENSIONER HAD A WASHER STRIPPED, OIL WAS LEAKING ALL OF THER ENGINE AND IT WAS DOWN TO LESS THAN A QUART. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI COOPERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE A $10 PART, IF NOT CAUGHT CAUSES MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS, OR WORSE, ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MINI COOPER DEALER WONT FIX IT FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH IT'S TOUTED "MAINTENANCE FREE" CHAIN BELT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22,365 MILES ON IT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10811178December 18, 2015FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10807457November 30, 2015STEERING
THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10716653May 15, 2015ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK, OVERHEATED, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10713867April 30, 2015STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MINI COOPER CLUBMAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND, AND ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW; HOWEVER, BOTH FRONT WINDOWS BEGAN TO GO UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING UNTIL THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,861.
- 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
- #10658584November 17, 2014POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2014 THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE KEY SLOT. THE KEY IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE INSERTED TO START THE CAR BUT SIMPLY WITH YOU. HOWEVER, MY DAUGHTER HAD BORROWED THE CAR AND INSERTED THE KEY SO I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DATE MENTIONED OR EARLIER. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 25TH, 2014 SO SOMETIME BETWEEN THE TWO DATES THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, MINI OF DES MOINES, AND THEY ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. THEY NOTICED THAT WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED TO ANY POSITION. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WOULD OCCUR WITH THE CAR RUNNING, I.E. INADVERTENTLY HITTING THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE OR PARK WHILE DRIVING. THEY ALSO DID NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN PARK WHEN INDICATED SO. I LEFT THE CAR, WAS GIVEN A LOANER, AND WHEN THEY CALLED ME THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT LIQUID HAD SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER AND LEAKED THROUGH THE UNSEALED SCREW IN THE BOTTOM ONTO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AM WELL AWARE OF LIQUID SPILLING INTO THE CUP HOLDER AS THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR DUE TO THE SPRING LOADED HOLDERS IN THE SIDE OF THE CUP HOLDER THAT I THEN REMOVED . THEY ARE ENGINEERED INCORRECTLY AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL STATES TO USE "LIGHTWEIGHT, NON-BREAKABLE CONTAINERS" THESE SPRING RETAINERS WILL POKE A HOLE IN STYROFOAM CUPS AND WILL COMPRESS A PAPER CUP, LIKE STARBUCKS, ENOUGH THAT LIQUID WILL EXPEL THROUGH THE TOP VENT HOLE AND DRINKING SLOT. IN ADDITION, WHILE ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT LIQUID WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE SPILLED IN A CUP HOLDER, AN ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING ERROR WAS MADE WHEN NO SEALING WASHER WAS USED ON THE RETAINING SCREW IN THE BOTTOM AND ANY LIQUID THE WOULD LEAK ON TO ANOTHER UNSEALED COMPONENT AND CAUSE THIS FAILURE. A $1,100.00 REPAIR COST FOR BMW'S INEPT ENGINEERING???
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10638795September 24, 2014ENGINE
CAR SEVERELY OVERHEATED. MELTED COOLANT SYSTEM MANIFOLD AND HOSING PIPE. REPAIR COST $1,100+. DAYS LATER CRACK IN WATER PUMP GREW. IMMEDIATE CAR MALFUNCTION OCCURRED RESULTING IN TOWING THE CAR TO MT LAUREL MINI. THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT COOLANT WAS FOUND ON THE DIPSTICK OF THE ENGINE OIL. RECOMMENDED A NEW ENGINE. CURRENTLY FIGHTING TO HAVE COMPANY COVER ALL COSTS AND DAMAGES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10629742August 31, 2014AIR BAGS
REFERENCE MY CALL IN REPORT REF. # 10598125: THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT (LOCATED IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE) REMAINS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE SYSTEM DOES IT'S INITIAL CHECK AT START UP. IF ANYONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT GOES OUT. THE SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE THIS WAY UNTIL THE CAR REACHED APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES. ORIGINALLY THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AT START UP THEN GO OUT. AFTER CHECKING SEVERAL OWNER BLOGS ONLINE, I FOUND OUT THAT ALL OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING A DEFINITIVE EXPLANATION FROM THEIR DEALERS. SOME DEALERS REPAIRED THE ISSUE BY REPLACING THE SEAT PAN SENSOR OR REPAIRING THE UNDER SEAT CONNECTOR. SOME DEALERS HAVE SAID THE CONDITION IS NORMAL. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALER, "SOUTH MINI OF MIAMI" AND WAS INITIALLY TOLD THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM AND SCHEDULED THE CAR FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR. AFTER THE SCHEDULED SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS CHECKED AND THAT ALL COMPONENTS WERE OPERATIONAL AND NOTHING WAS FAULTY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE LIGHT REMAINING ON WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WAS NORMAL. MY CONCERN IS THAT NONE OF THE USA MINI DEALERSHIPS CAN DEFINITIVELY EXPLAIN THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM OR WHY IT SUDDENLY STARTED WORKING IN A DIFFERENT WAY. IT CAN'T BE CORRECT BOTH WAYS; IT WAS EITHER FAULTY FOR THE FIRST 15,000 MILES OR IT IS FAULTY NOW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH SEVERAL MINI COOPERS AND SOME BMW MODELS. I BELIEVE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE "SMART AIRBAG SYSTEM" . *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10629498August 29, 2014FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE HAS A P0087 CODE WHICH MEANS LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE. I SPOKE TO MINI REP AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. MY RESEARCHING HAS SHOWN ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST AND THEY WERE REPLACING THESE PUMPS UNTIL 2009 MINI AND BMW. WHY DID THEY STOP AT 2009 WHEN THERE HASN'T BEEN NO CHANGE TO THIS PUMP. BUT YET THEY KEEP FAILING AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE INTERVALS. 30,000 , MINE AT 65,000 REALLY I'VE OWN DOZENS OF CAR AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP. THERES DEFINITELY A PROBLEM HERE AND RIGHT NOW MINE IS INTERMITTENTLY, I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT WHEN THEY STEP ON IT AND IT FAILS AT THE WRONG TIME, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET HURT BEFORE IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. PREVENTION SHOULD COME FIRST THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0