2003 Mini Cooper Problems & Complaints

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel malfunctioned, making the steering wheel easy to turn, causing severe oversteer while making a turn in either direction. The contact stated that the failure was due to a faulty power steering pump, and installed as part of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (STEERING). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the power steering pump remained running, causing the battery to drain. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 230,000.

68k miles on a 2003 mini cooper s and the power steering pump is whining. I feel as if this may be really early for it to be needing to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was firm, and the vehicle was difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but failed to confirm if the parts were available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the service center directly. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.

No air or blower or heat to defog windshield. Water in driver-side foot well. Power steering intermittent fault. Engine continues running and panel gauge lights remain on with ignition off and key removed.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Sincera SN250 A/S, Tire Size: 235/45R17, DOT Number: FMHR3120. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, he noticed that a bubble had developed on the front driver’s side tire. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that he rotated the tire to the rear driver’s side but was concerned and uncertain if the bubble might cause a risk to his safety while driving. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

i Purchased the car in Dover Pa . INspection sticker had same milage as on car so i shoulda knew he slapped a sticker on . drove 150 miles dash lit ip like chrismas tree. 1st thing left window wont work , then left lock wont work had to lock from passenfger dide. then door wont open at all . have to get ou t passenger door . know that wont open have to put down passenger window pull handel to get out . car is possessed light work whren they want does all kinda crazt stuff . batter has problems . charge and still cant start it . and hatch locks so i cant get to battery. power steering leaking going bad . timing belt making noise . no power on hills .cracking noise in right front pulls to right had . hazard to me ive been locked inside three times could get out of car i coulda sat in heat and died or cold and froze . cant get out of car when it ts electric doors dont work . car sucks . this has been gradual thing these events from feb to may . now i just hate the car

My 2003 Mini Cooper was affected by the 2015 electrohydraulic steering assistance recall. Mini did the repair at 79, 322 miles in 2016. In November 2021, at 98, 000 miles, the car began having intermittent power steering loss. The power steering might disappear for under a minute, or it might return for mere seconds. There is no warning when the power steering goes out, so you have to assume that it is not going to respond with the electrohydraulic steering assistance feature operating. As of today, it has been completely offline for 3 days (although it did come back on for about 5 seconds yesterday). Without this feature operating properly, the car can be extremely difficult to steer.

While driving on I-81 to NY state, I experienced serious tire vibration followed by tire loss of air. All tires were checked for proper tire inflation before trip. The service center in which I ended up in said that the tire belts had separated and caused the rapid tire deflation.

While driving on I-81 to NY state, I experienced serious tire vibration followed by tire loss of air. All tires were checked for proper tire inflation before trip. After pulling off to the side of the road, I witnessed a large hole with metal fiber sticking through the tire tread. I believe the tread separation was the cause.

The contact owns a 2003 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and making a right turn, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump and fan needed to be replaced and the intake and return power steering lines also were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 15V660000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

I WAS STARTING MY VEHICLE AND IT MADE A BAD KNOCKING NOISE THEN IT WAS LIKE CRUNCHING NOISE SO I STOPPED TURN IT OFF AND WAITED FOR A WHILE WENT BACK TO THE CAR STILL MAKING A STRANGE NOISE BUT ONCE I PUT IT IN THE DRIVE IT STOPPED MAKING NOISE DROVE DOWN THE ROAD A BIT AND TALKING ABOUT APPARENTLY SLIPS OFF OF THE CAR SO IT JUST PULLS OVER INSIDE ALL THE ALL THE WEARING LIGHTS CAME ON SO PULLED OVER APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN BUT THE HARMONIC BALANCER SEPARATED AND WITH SPINNING AGAINST ITSELF AND KNOCKED THE PIECES OFF OF IT AND THROUGH THE SERPENTINE BELT SO THAT NEEDS TO REPLACE NOW THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IT'S ONE PIECE IS THIS ONE PIECE THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THESE WHATEVER CARS HAD THESE HARMONIC BALANCERS IS DANGEROUS AND IT COULD BLOW YOUR CAR UP THANK YOU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BIRMINGHAM LOCATED AT 2001 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35210, 205-267-4505. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,200. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PART MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL JUNKYARD. THE MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

IN MOTION.. THE POWER STEERING WHEEL FEELS TO HARD TO TURN OPERATE;I CHECK THE VIN# NUMBER AND APPEAR (1) RECALL FOR POWER STEERING INCOMPLETE;WE CALL AT BMW OF DALLAS AND THEY SETUP AN APOINMENT ON JANUARY,15,2020...WHEN I SHOW UP...THEY SAY MY CAR DON'T HAVE ANY RECALL;AND I SHOW IM THE OFFICIAL RECALL WITH MY VIN#...BMW RECALL & NHTSA RECALL AND THEY SAY THE CAR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED,I SAID I JUST NEED FIX THE RECALL ON MY CAR AND THEY WANNA CHARGE ME $180 DLLS JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED,IF THE CAR GOT SOMETHING WRONG THEY CHARGE ME THE COST...I DONT ACCEPT...MY CAR GOT THE RECALL AND THEY MAKE ME DRIVE 120 MILES WHIT THE CAR FOR NOTHING

WE KNOW OF TWICE THAT OUR CAR'S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. AFTER BMW WAS FINALLY FORCED INTO A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AND WE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO CENTURY BMW IN GREENVILLE, SC. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED OUR WORK REGARDING REPLACEMENT PUMP, FAN, ETC. AND DEEMED IT 100% SATISFACTORY. WE SUBMITTED THE PAPERWORK AND INVOICE FOR THE REPAIR AND WAITED (REQUESTED . AFTER 16 WEEKS AND NO REIMBURSEMENT OR NOTIFICATION, WE CALLED AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER THAT BMW WOULDN'T PAY US ANYTHING BECAUSE WE DIDN'T USE OEM PARTS. WHY WOULD WE KEEP REPLACING THE PUMP (THIS WAS THE 3RD PUMP THAT WE KNOW OF) WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE (BY ZF) THAT KEPT QUITTING? WE REPLACED IT WITH DORMAN (WELL-KNOWN MANUFACTURER OF QUALITY PARTS) WHICH HAD A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY (LIFE-TIME!) AND WAS MUCH CHEAPER. THE SD MANAGER EVEN SAID THAT SINCE HE'D SEEN SO MANY REPAIRS USING THAT BRAND OF POWER STEERING PUMP HE HAD RESEARCHED THEM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. BUT BMW DECIDED THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR THIS. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE RECALL LETTER THAT SAID OEM HAD TO BE USED OR THEY WOULDN'T REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS. I BELIEVE BMW SAW SO MANY DORMAN PUMPS USED THEY KNEW THEY COULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY BY REFUSING TO PAY. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE SC DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT BMW WOULDN'T ANSWER THEM SO THEY JUST DROPPED IT, LETTING BMW GET BY WITH THIS. WE WERE ONLY REQUESTING $721.04 WHICH IS LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT A REPAIR SHOP WOULD HAVE CHARGED. CAN YOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? WE FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH SC CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN DECEMBER OF 2017, TOOK THE CAR TO BMW IN MAY OF 2017 SO THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. HAVE OTHER OWNERS HAD THIS PROBLEM? HAS A LAWSUIT BEEN STARTED AGAINST BMW?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WAS ROUGH AND STIFF. THE CONTACT PERFORMED HIS OWN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MINI OF THE WOODLANDS (16675 I-45, CONROE, TX 77385, 936-344-1258) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE STEERING PUMP WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MINI COOPER STEERING PUMP. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE PUMP HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING

BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 16 YR OLD DAUGHTER. STEERING WAS CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING TOOK CAR TO MINI OF DALLAS RECALL WAS DONE ON HARNESS, PUMP, COOLING FAN. NEXT WEEK NO STEERING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING TOOK CAR BACK. MINI STATED DRIVE BELT BROKE AND WAS REPAIRED FOR 260.00. 3 DAYS LATER WAS CALLED AT A 11:30 AT NIGHT MY DAUGHTER STATING THE STEERING HAD CUT OUT AGAIN. I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER IN THIS CAR OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS CAR.

THE WARNING FOR TH EPASSENGER AIRBAG COMES ON, THOUGH APPARENTLY NOTHING IS WROMG WITH IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMMON PROBLEM THAT MINI IS AWARE OFF, PUTS PEOPLE IN DANGER, BUT DOESNT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE HARNESS UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH THEY QUOTE AT 1200 TO 1400 TO REPAIR THEIR ILL DESIGN AND FINAL PRODUCT

OCCASIONALLY THE STEERING OVER MY MINI COOPER S IS BECOMING VERY HARD. IT SEEMS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS FAILING. THE CAR THEN CAN ONLY BE STEERED WITH A LOT OF DIFFICULTY. I CAN NO LONGER RISK TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR. I CHECKED THE STEERING FLUID AND IT IS AT OPTIMAL LEVELS. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEED, BUT I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT ON THE FREEWAY SINCE THIS ISSUE STARTED TO APPEAR.

POWER STEERING FAILURE - INTERMITTENT AND DURING MOTION, MINI DEALERSHIP PROVIDED RECORDS THAT THE CLAIM WAS CLEARED WITH # AND MILEAGE, BUT THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION IF STILL COVERED BY NHTSA # 15V660000. ORIGINAL RECALL # THAT WAS ENTERED IN THE "REPAIR HISTORY" FROM MINI THAT NEVER OCCURRED IS M320215. THANK YOU

DRIVING NORMALLY ON CITY PAVED ROAD STARTED TO MAKE TURN ON SIDE STREET AND LOST TOTAL STEERING CONTROL AND WENT UP ON CURB JUST MISSING A PEDESTRIAN ON SIDEWALK.THIS VEHICLE HAS 79300 MILES.THE ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC PUMP COMPLETELY FAILED.MINI USA SAID THIS VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL YET JUST ABOUT EVERY MINI INPORTED TO USA HAS COMPLETE STEERING LOSE 2002-2003-2004-2005 AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE HIDING THIS FROM YOU AND THE PUBLIC WHO ARE STILL BUYING THESE USED CARS AND NOT KNOWING THE DANGEROUS PROBLEM THE MINI HAS AND FLAWED POWER STEERING PUMP DESIGN.THANK YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF SAN DIEGO (5202 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED PART, WHICH MEANT THAT NO PARTS WERE REPLACED AS THE DEALER ORIGINALLY STATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD NO RECORDS OF THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED PER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS SERVICED IN MARCH OF 2017. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

AFTER BATTERY WENT DEAD, REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY AND SHORTLY AFTER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HAD INDEPENDENT SHOP CLEAR CODE IN 2015 INSPECTED HARNESS FOUND NOTHING OUT OF ORDINARY. 3 DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT RETURNED. NOW IN FEBRUARY 2018 HAD MINI OF TOWSON DIAGNOSE AIR BAG LIGHT THINKING THE DEALERSHIP CAN RESET AIR BAG LIGHT PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED UPGRADING WIRING HARNESS UNDER SEAT FOR 525 DOLLARS. I HAVE BEEN ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND THIS AIR BAG LIGHT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 02-03 MINIS, INCLUDING 05-06, AND 12-15 YEAR MINIS. MY CONCERN IS THAT MINI KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT REFUSES TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT EVEN WHEN IT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE PURCHASER OF ITS VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT NHTSA RECEIVES ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO FORCE MINI TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED AS ANOTHER DISSATISFIED CONSUMER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, GARRETT

I WAS APPROACHING A CORNER ON A BACK ROAD AND HALF WAY THROUGH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO GO OFF THE ROAD ROLLING TWO AND A HALF TIMES LANDING ON THE ROOF.

WHILE IN MOTION, CAR BEGAN TO BECOME JERKY WHILE EXCELERATING, THAN THE TRANSMISSION DISINGAGED. NO GEAR WOULD WORK THEREAFTER.

THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE WAS NOT FITTED IN THIS AND OTHER EARLY PRODUCTION MINI COOPER S CARS, THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS PART OF THE DESIGN. THE MANUAL TAILGATE RELEASE CABLE ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, WHICH IS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A BATTERY FAILURE. WITHOUT THE MANUAL RELEASE CABLE, THE BATTERY IS INACCESSIBLE IN THE EVENT OF A FAILED BATTERY OR OTHER ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE BATTERY IN MY CAR FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO CONVENIENT ACCESS TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. FURTHER, THE ABSENCE OF THIS MANUAL RELEASE CABLE MEANS THAT THE TAILGATE COULD NOT BE USED AS AN EGRESS FOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION; MINI USA ADVISED IT WAS STILL DRIVEABLE, BUT TO BE CAUTIOUS DUE TO LACK OF CONTROL/POWER STEERING; WHEN PARKED, SMOKE BEGAN TO PLUME FROM UNDER HOOD WHERE A FIRE WAS NOTICED IN BACK OF ENGINE. CALLED MINI USA BACK AND THEY ADVISED US TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE, AS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. CONTACTED MINI TO SET UP RECALLED PART (HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING), BUT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER (120 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT, THE NEIGHBORS NOTICED THAT IT CAUGHT FIRE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE POLICE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM EXPERIENCES TEMPORARY LOSS OF ASSISTANCE WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTING UP AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL AS SOON AS YOU BEGIN STREET OR HIGHWAY DRIVING. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MINI DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR STEERING PUMP ISN'T COVERED IN THE WARRANTY ALTHOUGH I DID RECEIVE A LETTER INDICATING THAT IT SHOULD BE. I HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUES HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE THAT THE RECALL IS TALKING ABOUT.

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM WHERE IT MEETS THE HOOD OF THE CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN. I ONLY HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. WATER PUMP, OIL PAN AND VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED PREMATURELY. I CAN'T SHIFT THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS.

WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON US 221 FROM BENT MOUNTAIN, VA TO ROANOKE VA MY HYDRALIC STEERING TOTALLY FAILED. AS I TRAVELLED A SHORT DISTANCE MY BRAKE LIGHT WARNING LIGHTS, ABS LIGHT, OTHER BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE TEMP WAS NORMAL. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, RAISED THE HOOD, CHECKED THE FLUIDS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REENTERED THE CAR. WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, LOOKED FORWARD AND NOTED THICK STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE CAR AND WHEN THE STEAM DISSIPATED I NOTED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM FILLING/OVERFLOW TANK WAS SPLIT IN HALF DAMAGING A PROTECTING COVER ON THE FIREWALL AND SPRAYED A BUILDING WALL AND WINDOW WITH ENGINE COOLANT 10 FEET AWAY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MARTIN'S GERMAN SERVICE IN CAVE SPRING, VA. BECAUSE THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP IN LOCATED IN NORTH CAROLINA 150 MILES AWAY. DUE TO SERVICE VOLUME THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL 24 MAY 2016.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/18/16*LJ UPDATED 06/14/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS TO THE FACE AND LOST A TOOTH. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESUMED DRIVING; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER FAILED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,113.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE BATTERY AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

OUR 2003 MINI COOPER WAS DRIVEN IN OCTOBER 2015 IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, IN BUMPER TO BUMPER SLOW TRAFFIC, UPHILL FOR ABOUT A MILE. WHEN WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT OF IT, A FAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONTINUED TO RUN. WE WENT BACK INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT AGAIN, THEN SHUT IF OFF FOR A SECOND TIME, AND THE FAN CONTINUED TO RUN. THE FAN RAN ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE STAGE 1 COOLING FAN HAS FAILED AND THAT THE STAGE 2 COOLING FAN WAS RUNNING TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING) ; HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE 30 MINUTES LATER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL, BUT THEN FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVIN HOME AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,353. ...UPDATED 04/26/16 *BF UPDATED 12/11/2017*JS

LOST POWER STEERING WITH BURNING SMELL AND LOTS OF SMOKE. AS EVIDENCED ON THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNT. THE CAR COULD HAVE LOST ALL POWER. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $4097.91. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR WEEKS WITH NO LOANER CAR OFFERED. NATIONAL MINI COOPER DENIED THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE. THERE IS NOW A PENDING RECALL. THE NEW PARTS MIGHT ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

THE CAR WOULD NOT EASILY SHIFT GEARS. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED", SO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CANNOT BE CHECKED OR CHANGED. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE A SEALED TRANSMISSION IF IT CAN DEVELOP A LEAK SO EASILY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V6600000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

SUDDENLY OUT OF NOWHERE AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY & GO TO WORK THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, ONLY HAVING APPROXIMATELY AN INCH TO INCH AND A HALF OF MOBILITY IN EITHER DIRECTION. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF, LET IT SIT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINS THEN RE-STARTED IT AND THE STEERING WAS STILL THE SAME WAY.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. PUMP AND FAN WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DEALER REQUIRED ADDITIONAL WORK TO BE PERFORMED TO KEEP EXTENDED WARRANTY IN FORCE. THE WORK INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF ALL POWER STEERING HOSES AT A COST OF OVER $600.00

POWER STEERING FAILED AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. POWER STEERING WOULD THEN CUT IN AND OUT. WARRANTY REPAIR BY MINI DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 REPLACED STEERING PUMP BUT POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND CHARGED $607.59 TO DO ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. THE LACK OF CONSISTENCY OF HAVING POWER ASSIST STEERING OR NOT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO STEER THE CAR. THE NEEDED POWER STEERING REPAIRS WERE NOT FREE BUT COST $607.59.

WE WERE CHARGED $1300.00 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN.

THE CAR STALLS(REDUCES SPEED 0-10MPH) IT MAY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN AT TIMES THIS HAS BEEN THE SAME CONSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE THE USED CAR DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE DOP AND FOR A MOMENT I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN SOLVED BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED BACK IN JULY-AUG 2013. THE MINI DEALER ALSO, THOUGHT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CONSISTENTLY JUST CHARGED ME MONIES FOR PROBLEM THAT NEVER TURNED OUT TO BE THE SOURCE SO I STOPPED GOING TO THEM. I TRIED TO FILE A LEMON LAW SUIT BUT WAS TOLD I COULDN'T PURSUE BECAUSE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. SO LAWYER REF ME TO CONTACT THIS OFFICE AND FILE A CLAIM BECAUSE I'VE SPENT NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED I STILL FEEL UNSAFE AND SCARED FOR MY LIFE WHEN I DRIVE BUT I'M LIMITED IN MONEY TO KEEP TRYING TO FIND THE SOURCE THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ONE THING NOTED THAT THE CAR ENGINE HAS BEEN REBUILT. ALSO, I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE . PLEASE IF THERE IS ANYWAY YOU CAN'T HELP I FEEL I WAS PREYED UPON AND TAKE. ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE THE DEALER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND WITHHELD IT.

THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS WOULD MAKE A SMALL JUMP FORWARD WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD FEEL SPONGY IN DRIVE WHEN FIRST STARTING OFF IN THE MORNING AND AT FULL STOPS.

OUR 2003 MINI COOPER HAS ABOUT 120K MILES ON IT. IT WAS COMPLETELY FINE UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED WHINING. SOMETIMES IT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND WE HAD NO POWER STEERING, THANKFULLY THIS WAS WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT WHILE DRIVING. TURNING THE WHEEL IS A LITTLE HARDER THAN USUAL, AND IF YOU TURN IT TOO MUCH, THE CAR BOGS DOWN AND THE REVS GO WAY DOWN. WE'VE TRIED FLUSHING AND REPLACING THE POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP. WE'VE EVEN PUT IN SOME EXPENSIVE ADDITIVES THAT PROMISE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND STOP THE NOISE, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK. WE DON'T FEEL SAFE KNOWING THAT OUR POWER STEERING MAY GO OUT AT ANY MOMENT. AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T APPRECIATE THE LOOKS WE GET WHEN WE DRIVE PAST PEOPLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO MOVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WANTS THOUSANDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH OTHER MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL OPERATE CORRECTLY IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

STEERING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY LEAKS - REPLACE HYDRAULIC HOSE TWICE - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ENGINE COOLING - FAN RUNS AFTER SHUTOFF CONTINUOUSLY - KNOWN DEFECT - MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE ELECTRICAL - DOORS, WINDOWS, SUNROOF FIRE OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE CAR IS MOVING AND WHEN IS PARKED. WILL DO THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR WHEN SITTING OUTSIDE (RAIN OR SHINE) - CAR UNLOCKS ITSELF AND WINDOWS ALL OPEN UP -KNOWN DEFECT - KIND OF DISTRACTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED -MINI REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE. DEALERS WILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES UNLESS YOU MAKE THEM RECALL VEHICLES WITH MULTIPLE SMALL PROBLEMS ( NOT JUST ONE BIG PROBLEM) - THIS MODEL HAS 73 TSBS THAT DEALERS CHARGE YOU TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN AND DANGEROUS ISSUES. IN MY MIND, MANY SMALL PROBLEMS CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN A FEW BIG ONES - STEERING, DOOR LOCKS, COOLING - NOT GOOD. THIS IS AN OLD CAR BUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE OLD TOO - KNOWN TSBS SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO WARRANTY TIME FRAMES, THEY ARE STILL DANGEROUS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. WHEN THESE CARS ARE ROUTINELY SERVICED, THESE KNOWN/DANGEROUS ISSUES NEED TO BE CORRECTED OR THE CARS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I USED THE DATE OF THE LAST INCIDENT, NOT THE FIRST ONE. THANK YOU. *TR

THE LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF. I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT REVERSING CORRECTLY AS IF THE REAR WHEEL WAS DRAGGING. I EXITED THE CAR AND ELEVATED IT WITH A FLOOR JACK TO FIND THE REAR CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKEN IN HALF. *TR

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

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

TRANSMISSION. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

ON 08/13/2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 MINI COOPER, CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I WENT TO START OUT THRU THE INTERSECTION AND LOST ALL POWER-I MANAGED TO GET IT THRU ABOUT THE TIME THE LIGHT HAD TURNED RED, AGAIN! I COASTED TO THE CURB, PUT IT IN PARK, SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED, AGAIN, TO TAKE OFF. IT SEEMED TO BE FINE, THIS TIME,( EXCEPT FOR SOME TAKE-OFF JERKING, AND RPM'S SPIKING).DROVE 42 MILES THEN CAME TO A ONE WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF US HWY 40 & US HWY 56, WHEN TRAFFIC CLEARED I WENT TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION AND MY CAR JERKED AND DIED!!! I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE CROSS TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP & WAIT ON ME! NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, IN FACT, I QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THEY EVEN WORKED. IT'S NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED IT, USED, ON 07/29/2014, GETTING DIAGNOSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO NEARLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REMAINED ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO EJECT THE BATTERY OUT OF THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

8/13/2014- I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN A MALL PARKING LOT AND SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR AND AT THE SAME TIME STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO SHUT OFF THE CAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. A BYSTANDER CAME RUNNING AND OPENED THE HOOD, SMOKE POURED OUT, TOLD ME TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS HE WAS OPENING HOOD AND THEN TOLD ME TO HANG UP AND CALL 911 THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH SMOKE. THE ENGINE FAN WAS STILL RUNNING. ANOTHER PASSERBY HAD AN COMMERCIAL EXTINGUISHER AND EMPTIED IT ON MY VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS PULLING UP AS THEY WERE TRYING TO PUSH IT ASIDE, THE CAR RE-IGNITED AND IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROX. 15 TO MAKE DOUSE THE FIRE WITHOUT IT RE-IGNITING. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE LOOKED MY VEHICLE OVER AND COULD FIND NO REASON FOR IT TO IGNITE. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE PUT ABOUT 3000 MILES ON IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC DOWN THE ROAD AND THEY ARE TO CONTACT ME TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY CAN SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. LUCKILY, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND BE IN AN AREA CLOSE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GOOD SAMARITANS...UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 7/15/2015 *JS

DRAIN HOSE FROM SUNROOF DRAIN RUNNING DOWN A-PILLAR CAME DISLODGED THROUGH "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" CAUSING MASSIVE FLOODING TO THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. IT WAS RENDERED UNSERVICEABLE AND TOTALED, ON JUNE 16, 2014, BUT UNCOVERED BY INSURANCE. THIS WAS NOTHING THAT I WAS AWARE OF THAT WAS AN ISSUE, NOR WERE ANY RECALLS EVER ISSUED ON THIS ISSUE. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2012, 2 YEARS AGO, FOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MERELY THE BATTERY, SO THEY REPLACED IT AND IT SEEMED TO BE FINE, BUT THEY SAID TO KEEP THE BATTERY AS A BACK UP "JUST IN CASE" BECAUSE IT STILL APPEARED TO BE A GOOD BATTERY. THEN LATER IN 2013, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MINI DEALER FOR GENERAL SERVICE AND I SAID I NOTICED WATER IN THE BOOT (TRUNK) AND FOR THEM TO CHECK THE HATCHBACK SEAL TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY LEAKS, THEY SAID NO, AND NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION WAS DONE FOR EITHER EVENT. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH THESE EVENTS WERE RESULTS OF THE FAULTY DRAIN HOSE FROM THE A-PILLAR BEING DISLODGED FOR SO LONG. TODAY, THE AUTOMOBILE LEFT MY POSSESSION, TO AN AUCTION HOUSE. I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT SO THAT YOU, THE NHTSA CAN PERHAPS HAVE MINI ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND HAVE THEM CHANGE THEIR VEHICLE'S SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T HAVE A CAR TOTALLY RUINED BY FLOODING DUE TO THIS DEFECT IN ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. AFTER VIEWING SOME MINI FORUMS, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO THEIR MINI COOPER. I'M VERY SAD, BECAUSE I HAPPENED TO REALLY ENJOY THIS CAR, AND IT WAS TOTALLY FUN TO DRIVE. I WAS ADVISED BY A FRIEND WHO IS A MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC AND MY INSURANCE AGENT TO FILE THIS REPORT WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION, IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS. TOO MANY PEOPLE DON'T SPEAK UP, AND I AM NOT ONE TO LET SOMETHING DONE WRONG TO ME GO WITHOUT A FIGHT! DO ALL YOU CAN TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE WITH MINI! *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE STREET TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, BAM! MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I COULD NOT STEER. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I SLOWED DOWN AND MADE THE CORNER SLOWLY. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I TURNED THE CARE OFF, CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, AND TURNED IT BACK ON. NOW THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NOT SURE WHY IT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT BUT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR

I HAD NOTICED THAT THE POWER GOING UP HILLS HAD BEEN SLOWING DOWN FOR SOMETIME BUT AS WE WERE DRIVING IN TOWN AND LOST IT'S NUMBER THREE CYLINDER, TOOK IT TO SHOP AND WITH SEVERAL DAYS OF WORK FOUND OUT I WOULD BE BETTER OFF SCRAPPING IT THAN FIXING IT. MECHANIC WHO DEALS WITH BMW SAID THAT HE COULD PUT IN A NEW ENGINE BUT HE SAND THAT THE ISSUES THAT HE HAS SEEN ON THIS YEARS COOPER SHOW IT IS JUST A MONEY PIT. HE SAID, JUST SCRAP IT AND TAKE YOUR LOSSES. THE ONLY THING IS I BOUGHT IT USED AND STILL OWE OVER $3,000. ON IT. I HAVE NO CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT AND HAVE TWO PAYMENTS AS I AM DISABLED WITH A LOW INCOME FROM INJURIES. I FINALLY GOT MY CAR OF MY DREAMS AND IT BECAUSE MY NIGHTMARE. MISSING MY MINI. *TR

I WAS EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY AND WHILE ON THE RAMP COMING OFF, THE STEERING BECAME VERY UNRESPONSIVE AND HEAVY. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT SOUNDS LIKE MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TO TURN, SLOWED DOWN TO SAY HI TO MY ROOMMATE WHO WAS LEAVING AND WENT OUT OF GEAR WHEN I WENT BACK IN MY STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND I COULD BARELY MOVE THE WHEEL. *TR

DRIVING IN 2ND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE CAR BRAKES EVERYTHING LOCKED UP SKIDDING TO AN IMMEDIATE, VIOLENT STOP THAT SQUEALED THE TIRES AND MADE SMOKE, OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE ROAD, ENGINE STILL RUNNING FINE. SCARY, COULD NOT EVEN PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. WARRANTY COMPANY TOWED IT TO A MINI DEALER IN VALENCIA, CA. TWO WEEKS LATER, THEY GRANTED WARRANTY WORK HOWEVER, THE PRICE TAG IS $4000!! WARRANTY ONLY COVERS $2000 SO I HAVE TO GET ANOTHER USED TRANSMISSION! I SEE WHERE THERE IS A RECALL ON ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS 2003-2007 BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST MINI COOPER. ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THE SAME THING WRONG WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS ALSO HAPPENING WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS? I CAN'T AFFORD THIS EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO RISK PUTTING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT LOCKS UP, WHAT IF I WAS DOING 65? I'D ROLL AND BE DEAD, THAT'S WHAT! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND I FEEL THE NEW, APPROVED TRANSMISSION IS THE ONLY ANSWER. THIS ISN'T ABOUT MONEY, IT'S ABOUT THE FACT THE CAR LOCKED UP WITH NO SIGN OR WARNING WHATSOEVER. THOUGH, IF THERE IS A RECALL I WOULD LIKE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS OR HOWEVER THAT WORKS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 MY MINI COOPER S WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP MINI COOPER OF CONCORD FOR A RECALL IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SHORTLY, AFTER IN MARCH MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND MY CAR BURSTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TURNED DOWN THE FIRE, HOWEVER MY CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS. I CALLED MINI COOPER OF CONCORD, HOWEVER NO ONE COULD PROVIDE HELP. I ALSO EMAILED THE HEAD OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER PUMP LEAKING AND CATCHING FIRE IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED MINI USA AND FILED A CASE,AND THEY PROMISED TO RESPOND WITHIN 3 DAYS. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT ONLY UNTIL I CALLED VARIOUS TIMES AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. JAMES INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO EVALUATE THE MINI COOPER WAS AS AT FAULT AND ONLY TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MINI COOPER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LACK OF SUPPORT. MY CAR IS NOW A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

WAS APPROACHING AIRPORT PARKING LOT (DRIVING WAY TOO FAST, BECAUSE I WAS LATE!) WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY "FAILED"! IT WAS REALLY FRIGHTENING TO HAVE NO CONTROL, AS THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO CARS COMING FROM BEHIND. JUST BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE POWER STEERING MYSTERIOUSLY "RETURNED". IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILST DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, IT WOULD SURELY END WITH FATALITIES. (THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONLY ONCE, HOWEVER, I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ONLY 8 1/2 MONTHS!). *TR

DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STEERING GOT REALLY HEAVY HARD TO TURN, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, STARTING SMELLING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING, PULLED OVER OFF THE ROAD SHUT CAR OFF, SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD, OPEN IT, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF ENGINE. SMOKE SUBSIDED IN A FEW MINUTES, CALLED TOW TRUCK, TOW BACK TO WORK, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP LOCKED UP AND FRIED IT, IT ALSO DRAW A LOT OF AMPERAGE THAT IT BLOW 100 AMP MAIN FUSE UNDER FUSE BLOCK, BURNT MAIN POWER WIRE TO POWER STEERING PUMP. REPLACED PUMP, WIRING AND FUSE. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR FAILED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GO THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO STOP WORKING. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THIS. I WAS NEARLY HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF MY LOCATION. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE MINI DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING ITS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUIDS ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIME I SMELL BURNING. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LIFE OF THIS CAR (FIRST IN 2011), THE STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS LUCKY AND AT LOW SPEED HIT A CONCRETE PILING IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ACTUALLY IN TRAFFIC IN AN INTERSECTION. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HIT THE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE CROSS WALK, AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST, BUT IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. AND HAD I NOT KNOWN WHAT WAS GOING ON DUE TO THE FIRST TIME THE STEERING PUMP BLEW OUT, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN TO BREAK AND RE-START THE CAR TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HONESTLY, THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED WHEN THE PUMP STOPS FUNCTIONING. AND MINI HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I HAD TO WAIT 8 WEEKS FOR THE FAN TO COME IN AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANY WORK UNTIL THEY HAD BOTH PARTS. THE PUMPS NEED TO BE RE-DESIGNED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHERE THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S PLACE OF RESIDENCE BUT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

I HAVE AN 03 MINI COOPER BASE MODEL THAT HAD THE IMPENDING POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. LAST JUNE I RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT LETTER, SO I SENT IN MY INFORMATION AND RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT. AS TIME PASSED AND NO RESPONSE FROM MINI I DECIDED TO CONTACT COSTUMER RELATIONS, NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY HAD NOTHING ON FILE AND SAID IT SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER MONTH TO RECEIVE MY INFO. ANOTHER MONTH PASSED, KEEP IN MIND WE ARE IN AUGUST NOW, NO RESPONSE. CALLED THEM UP AND WAS TOLD MY INFORMATION IS STILL NOT THERE. SO I SENT TWO EMAILS WITH MY RECEIPT IN HOPES THAT IT MIGHT SPEED UP THE PROCESS. ABOUT THREE MONTHS LATER I CALLED AND THEY HAD SAID THEY RECEIVED MY INFORMATION AND THAT THEY HAD SENT IT TO THEIR REIMBURSING DIVISION. TWO DAYS AGO I CALLED AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND AGAIN. THIS IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS, IF YOUR GOING TO SEND A LETTER SAY YOU'LL REIMBURSE EVERYONE DO IT IN A TIMELY PROFESSIONAL MANNER. JUST BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH MINI. I WAS ACTUALLY THINKING ABOUT BUYING A 4DOOR VERSION OF THE MINI. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING A MINI OR BMW FOR THAT MATTER. IN ADDITION I WILL INFLUENCE PEOPLE INTO NOT PURCHASING ANY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. I UNDERSTAND THEY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE SEND IN LETTERS FOR REIMBURSEMENTS BUT IT IS NOT OK TO LIE TO PEOPLE. I ALSO KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. I AM TRYING TO CONTACT AS MUCH PEOPLE AS I CAN ABOUT THIS MATTER IN HOPES THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS. *TR

MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTO TRANSMISSION: I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD "REV." UP WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OF THE ENGINE, THAN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND MOVED AHEAD. LATER THE "SLIPPING" HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN; AT ALL SPEEDS AND WITH A COLD OR HOT ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55+MPH, AND THIS REQUIRES COASTING OVER TO A BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE CONDITION STILL EXISTS AND I AM TRYING TO LOCATE AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AT A REASONABLE COST. MINI COOPER DEALERS ARE ASKING BETWEEN $5000 TO $9000.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT MINI KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS EARLY AS 2005. ASIDE FROM DOING WARRANTY REPAIRS NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY MINI TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND/OR OFFER TO REPAIR/REPLACE THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

BACK IN MAY OF 2013 THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTING BEING VERY LOUD AND MAKING NOISES. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO QUITE HARD TO TURN SINCE THEN. THIS COULD END UP BADLY WHEN COMPLETELY FAILS WHEN I'M MID-TURN OR SOMETHING. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. *TR

ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LOST POWER STEERING, SMOKE CAME OUT OF HOOD, ENGINE TEMPERATURE REDLINED, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

WE BOUGHT 2 2003 MINI COOPERS IN 2003. BOTH VEHICLES HAD ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES, ONE IN MARCH 09 AT 143060 AND THE OTHER MINI IN JULY 2010 AT 133380. WE RECEIVED THE EPS EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER AND SENT IN OUR CLAIM, USPS DOCUMENTED DELIVERY TO MINI USA ON JUNE 29, 2013. I HAVE CALLED MINI "CUSTOMER SERVICE" ON AUGUST 8, AUGUST 29, AND TODAY SEPTEMBER 26. NO ONE THERE CAN TELL YOU ANYTHING AND THEY DO NOTHING EXCEPT APOLOGIZING FOR NOT KNOWING ANYTHING. THEY SAY RESPONSES ARE TAKING 12 WEEKS WHICH IS WHERE I AM ON THE CALENDAR. MY REPAIR COSTS WERE IN EXCESS OF $2000. TODAY I AM SENDING A HAND WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTER WITH COPIES OF ALL RECEIPTS TO JIM MCDOWELL VP MINI USA. NHTSA NEEDS TO FOLLOWUP ON THIS. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS INTENDED TO HEAD OFF A RECALL BUT THEY ARE NOT HANDLING IT IN A PROPER MANNER. TURN UP THE HEAT! *JS

MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BEEN LOSING FLUID, RANDOMLY CONTINUING TO RUN AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND FINALLY GAVE OUT TWO OR THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL AND THAT STATED THE PUMP HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ITEM. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE WORK PERFORMED, I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE ADDING FLUID SINCE THIS WAS NOT A FORMAL RECALL ITEM. I ADVISED THEM THE PUMP HAD FAILED TWICE (AT THAT TIME) AND THEY STILL INSISTED I REFILL THE FLUID AND I WOULD BE FINE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A CHEAP WAY TO AVOID A RECALL AND THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY FIXING THE ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AGAIN AND BMW/MINI NEEDS TO FIX THESE ISSUES BEFORE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT HAPPENS THAT COSTS MORE THAN A STRESSFUL SITUATION.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. ONCE IT CAME BACK ON IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF RUNNING THE BATTERY DEAD. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF

EHPS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE 4/11, I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 88327 MILES. 7/2011 THE POWER STEERING PUMP BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. 5/24/13 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MINI USA OFFERING TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF STEERING PUMP REPAIRS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 ' 6 WEEKS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE ONLY OTHER ITEM IN THE ENVELOPE WAS A CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARD. I CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AND FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS. 5/25/13 I MAILED COPIES OF THE LETTER AND THE RECEIPT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 7/16/13, WAS PUT ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES, THEN TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY RECEIPT. BUT THEY HAD THE EMAIL ADDRESS I HAD HAND WRITTEN ON THE RECEIPT (CORRECTED, AS THE EMAIL ON THE RECEIPT HAD CHANGED.) WHEN I POINTED THAT OUT, HE PUT ME ON HOLD AGAIN, THEN CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY VIN #. HOW, SINCE THEY LOCATED ME FROM THE VIN #? HE INSISTED I SEND IN THE INFORMATION AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH THE VIN# NOTED. I ASKED WHY I HADN'T RECEIVED ANY KIND OF LETTER SAYING MY DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT COMPLETE. HE TOLD ME THE LETTER WAS SENT THE DAY BEFORE MY CALL. 6 WEEKS AFTER THAT CALL, I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTER FROM THEM. 7/16/13 I RE- SENT ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. ON 7/26/13 I AGAIN SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED MY COMPLETE PAPERWORK AND ALL OF IT WAS IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF 7/24/2013. ON 8/23/13 I AGAIN CALLED CUSTOMER RELATIONS. AFTER VERIFYING MY NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, AND VIN # HE PUT ME ON HOLD. WHEN HE RETURNED, AT FIRST TRIED TO SAY MY INFORMATION WAS NOT ALL IN YET. I TOLD HIM I HAD SPOKEN WITH [XXX] WHO HAD CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION WAS ALL IN THEIR SYSTEM AS OF JULY 24TH. HE GAVE ME FURTHER RUN-AROUND, WOULD NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION OF WHEN I MIGHT EXPECT PAYMENT AND IN GENERAL STONE WALLED ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

LUCKILY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE (LOW SPEED, HIGH MANAGEABILITY) AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS. I STOPPED AT A MECHANIC SHOP - FLUIDS AND BELTS WERE FINE. IT'S THE FAN/PUMP THAT HAS SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. *TR

RE: EHPS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE I RECEIVED A LETTER FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR A POWER-ASSIST STEERING ISSUE WHICH I HAD ALREADY REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. WHEN I CALLED TO INQUIRE, WAS TOLD CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE PROCESSED IN 6-8 WEEKS. I SUBMITTED MY CLAIM JUNE 12, 2013. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013, I CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF MY CLAIM AND WAS TOLD THAT, DUE TO "OVERWHELMING" RESPONSE, CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT WERE TAKING MUCH LONGER AND THAT MY CLAIM HAD NO STATUS (MEANING NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE WITH IT). AT MINI'S RECOMMENDATION, I RESUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT BY EMAIL TODAY. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF THE DELAYED PROCESSING AS I AM SURELY NOT THE ONLY PERSON AFFECTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AUTO TRANSMISSION CVT FAILURE. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2003 MINI COOPER WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES AND THIS CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THE MINI DEALER WANTS $9,000 TO R&R THE TRANS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. I FEEL BMW / MINI SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEM SELVES. LAST YEAR THE MINI DEALER CHARGE ME OVER $2,100 TO R&R THE STEERING PUMP WHEN THE CAR HAD UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. BMW / MINI SHOULD HAVE TO PAY UP OR REPLACE THESE CVT TRANS. T/Y *TR

MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE BELT BROKE IN TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT ONLINE OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO COST BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 DOLLARS. SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS FILED ALREADY. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE BMW RECALLS AND REPAIRS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE WHEN ONE OF THESE INFERIOR TRANSMISSIONS LETS GO? *TR

MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. PROBLEM IS THE DEFECTIVE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE BELT BROKE IN TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT ONLINE OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO COST BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 DOLLARS. SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS FILED ALREADY. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE BMW RECALLS AND REPAIRS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE WHEN ONE OF THESE INFERIOR TRANSMISSIONS LETS GO? *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN, HYDRAULIC FLUID PUMP CHF 1 CORE CHARGE) AND HOSE CLAMP WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER 5 DAYS EARLIER. MINI COOPER/BMW SENT ME A LETTER FOR VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE MY MINI COPPER 2003 HAD TOO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING OK EXCEPT FOR THE POWER STEERING AFTER THE REPLACEMENT I ONLY DROVE ABOUT 70 MILES BECAUSE I WAS OFF FROM MY SCHOOL. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JULY 15, 2013 APPROXIMATELY AT 3:45 PM. I DROVE ABOUT 30 MILES BACK FROM WORK. PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF RITE AID IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WOULDN'T START. USED JUMP CABLES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITHOUT SUCCESS. WENT TO MY MECHANIC CLOSE BY. MY MECHANIC CAME TO LOOK AT THE CAR, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I DROVE BACK HOME ABOUT 6 MILES. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR THE CAR WAS VERY HOT AND MOST OF THE LIGHTS IN THE PANEL WERE LIGHTEN. I MUST MENTION THAT MY CAR HAS A NEW BATTERY AND NEW STARTER (BOTH WERE REPLACED 9 MONTHS AGO). IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART ON 7/17/2013. *TR

ONE TIME LAST YEAR I LOSS POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER, I WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND ALMOST HAD A COLLISION. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, AND UPON RE-STARTING THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. NOW, A COUPLE DAYS AGO MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER AND RE-STARTED AND STILL NO POWER STEERING. LATER THAT DAY IT RANDOMLY CAME BACK AND NOW I AM EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS, THAT USUALLY GOES OUT ONCE A TRIP. *TR

POWER STEERING ISSUE WHICH MINI USA REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH NTSB TO AVOID A RECALL BY PROVIDING AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY." SPOKE WITH MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND INFORMED THEM MY STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING NOISE AND HAD GONE OUT INTERMITTENTLY TWICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE FACT THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL "RECALL" BUT RATHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE STEERING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL BEFORE THEY WERE PERMITTED TO REPLACE IT. WHAT KIND OF A SAFETY BOARD IS THE NTSB THAT WOULD ALLOW SUCH AN AGREEMENT TO BE REACHED WHEREIN SOMEONE HAS TO BE PUT AT RISK TO DRIVE A VEHICLE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A STEERING UNIT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, BEFORE THEY WOULD COMPEL THE AUTOMAKER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO MAKE IT SAFE? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! I AM SUPPOSED TO CONTINUE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE STEERING, PUTTING MYSELF, FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT RISK AWAITING "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE" ....... NOT KNOWING WHEN, WHERE OR UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IS GOING TO OCCUR? MINI USA & BMW YOU WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER PENNY FROM ME AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ACTIVELY BOYCOTT THEIR PRODUCTS & DEALERSHIPS! *TR

CVT (AUTO TRANSMISSION) NEEDS REPLACING. MINI COOPER QUOTE IS $9,000 TO REPLACE. MINI DEALER KNOWS THAT THERE' S MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THESE CVT (AUTO TRANS.) *TR

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKING THE CAR, A FIRE IGNITED IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF PRIOR TO THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER WHO, UPON INSPECTION, INDICATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND/OR ASSOCIATED HARDWARE HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR

5/18/13 - AFTER PARKING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO OPERATE WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE KEY WAS INSERTED BACK INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION. THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED RUNNING. 5/28/13 - WHEN RETURNING TO WORK AFTER LUNCH THE CAR STARTED PERFECTLY AND NO PROBLEMS WERE APPARENT. I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND SAT WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I STARTED ACCELERATING IN 1ST GEAR AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY HEAVY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUMP WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THE PUMP HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AT THIS POINT AND THE CAR IS ABLE TO DRIVE, ALBEIT DANGEROUSLY. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION. I BARELY MADE IT THROUGH A FEW CURBS BEFORE ENTERING A PARKING LOT. I LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I DECIDED TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, ABOUT 3 MILES HIGHWAY, AND ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP I LOST THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. FORCING THE CAR THROUGH THE LAST FEW TURNS, DRIVING SLOWLY, I MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPLACEMENT PUMP & FAN SET ME BACK ABOUT $1,500. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN THE DALLAS,TEXAS A FEW YEARS AGO. I JUST RECEIVED THE DREADED NEWS TODAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND IT WILL COST ME $6000 TO REPAIR. ACCORDING TO MINI THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD SO THIS WOULD BE THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR. THE REPAIR IS EQUIVALANT TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE 2 OR SO YEARS AGO. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS PRICE AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT A RECALL WOULD NEED TO BE ISSUED. OTHERWISE I HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO SALE THIS CAR AND TAKE A LOSS. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOESN'T SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR DOES. THE PUMP RAN UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. *TR

I WAS CHANGING LANES TO PREPARE TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I MADE THE LANE CHANGE NOTICED STEERING WAS TIGHTER. AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP. THE TURN MADE WAS VERY WIDE NEARLY MISSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SUSPECT POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

GOT IN CAR ONE MORNING AND NOTICED WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED IN CENTER FROM TOP OF WINDSHIELD AND FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD, AND I'M HOPING THE CRACK DOESN'T MEET IN THE MIDDLE! *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 MINI COOPER S AT 55MPH ON A RURAL TWO LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS POWER STEERING OF POWER STEERING. THIS RESULTED IN THE WHEEL BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN POWER STEERING RETURNED (WITHOUT WARNING), MY CAR SWERVED BUT I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT 20 MILES BEFORE I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT DID NOT RETURN.WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND IT WAS NON-OPERATIONAL. I REPLACED THE PUMP AND ITS DEDICATED COOLING FAN. IN AUGUST 2012 (125000 MILES), I AGAIN LOST POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FIRST (SUDDENLY CAME AND WENT BEFORE CUTTING OUT AND NOT RETURNING). *TR

THE STEERING ON MY '03 MINI COOPER STARTED MAKING WHINING/ GROANING NOISES THAT WERE NOT THE NORMAL STEERING NOISES. THE STEERING HAS LIMITED POWER BOOST, SOMETIMES NEAR NORMAL, OTHER TIMES ALMOST NO BOOST. THE STEERING DOESN'T RETURN TO STRAIGHT AS IT USED TO. AFTER MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE CAR KEEPS TRYING TO TURN THE LAST DIRECTION STEERED. WITH EFFORT, I CAN HOLD THE CAR STRAIGHT, BUT IT PULLS NOTICEABLY THE LAST DIRECTION TURNED. THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR GROANS, CHANGING SPEED UP AND DOWN, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING. ALL FLUID LEVELS ARE NORMAL AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS OR DRIPS OF ANY FLUID. THE POWER STEERING FAN AND RADIATOR COOLING FAN ARE OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE STEERING EFFORT IS NOT CONSISTENT. SOMETIMES AT EXPRESSWAY SPEEDS, AS WELL AS SLOWER SURFACE STREET SPEEDS, THE STEERING STIFFENS UP WHERE IT REQUIRES MUCH EFFORT TO CONTROL, THEN MINUTES LATER, WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL BOOST LEVELS. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN NEGOTIATING LANE CHANGES OR EXPRESSWAY RAMPS WITH WHAT SHOULD BE A STEADY RATE TURN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATES THE ELECTRO- HYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP IS CAUSING THESE ISSUES AND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN THEN PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STEERABLE, THE LOSS WAS SURPRISE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING OFF A ROAD. IT TOOK A VERY SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST HIT A CONCRETE ABUTMENT. I DOUBT THAT A YOUNG TEEN OR ANY PERSON WHO WAS NOT THAT STRONG, WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WHEN PRESENTED WITH THE REPAIR KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND OF MANY REPORTS OF A NEAR ACCIDENT LIKE MINE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY NIGHT, 2/22, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AND I HAD A HARD TIME TURNING IT. IT THEN STARTED WORKING FINE AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THEN IT LOCKED UP AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SINCE IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY I WAS DOING OVER 60 M.P.H. IT WAS TERRIFYING NOT HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AT THAT SPEED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. FROM REPORTS I HAVE READ I AM WORRIED THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE AND IN TURN CATCH MY HOUSE ON FIRE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IS WHEN I NOTICED THE RPM WAS HIGH AND THE SPEED REDUCING. (ALONG WITH SOME CRACKLING, ROUGH NOISES FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR) I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL (LOWERED THE RPMS), TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T REGAIN SPEED THE CAR EVENTUALLY REDUCED DRIVING SPEED TO 30MPH WITH RPM AT 5. I MOVED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND WAITED FOR HELP. WITH A CHILD IN CAR. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A VEHICLE AT 50,000MILES. VERY SCARY SITUATION. I HOPE THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE IS ADDRESSED. THAT ISSUE COULD SERIOUSLY HARM ALOT OF PEOPLE I HAVE READ TOO MANY SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE. *TR

PARKED VEHICLE IN HOME GARAGE AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN EVEN WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AND REPORTED. REFER TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11005. THE PUMP WILL CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL BATTERY DEPLETES OR FIRE OCCURS. THERE IS NO COOLING PROVIDED BY DEDICATED COOLING FAN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO STOP PUMP FROM OVERHEATING. *TR

POWERSTEERING UNIT FAILS AND STEERING BECOMES UNREPONSIVE. *TR

I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES. I WALKED TO A DENTIST DOWN THE STREET FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE AT THE DENTIST I GET A CALL THAT WENT TO MY VOICEMAIL THAT MY CAR (WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF) WAS ON FIRE AND WAS FILLING THE PARKING GARAGE WITH SMOKE. UPON RECEIVING THE MESSAGE I RUSHED HOME TO FIND THAT THE FIRE WAS ALREADY OUT, BUT THE SMELL OF SMOKE WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE INDICATING LIGHTS OF THE CAR WERE ON AS IF THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND INSPECTED THE CAR TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE FLAMES HAD COME FROM BEHIND AND SLIGHTLY BELOW THE MOTOR. THERE WAS A METAL SHIELD THAT WAS BLACKENED BY THE FLAMES THAT I COULD NOT SEE AROUND SO I JACKED UP THE CAR AND REMOVED THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO FURTHER INSPECT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. AFTER DOING SO I COULD THEN CLEARLY SEE THAT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO THE SURROUNDING BURN MARKS. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAS YET TO BE ASSESSED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY TOWED THE CAR AND ARE INSPECTING THE CAR ON DEC 13, 2012. *TR

ONE NIGHT I'M DRIVING JUST NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, EVERYTHING WAS FINE, NO SIGNS OF ANY OTHER PARTS INCLUDED AND OUT OF NOWHERE MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK GETTING OFF THE TURNPIKE TO TAKE MY EXIT RIGHT, MY 2003 MINI COOPER KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE AS I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL COMING OFF HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS NO WARNING AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU JUST CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL TO NEGOTIATE YOUR TURN. I'VE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWER STEERING, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THIS CAR. BMW MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DANGEROUS FAILURE AND DO THE RIGHT THING OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT AND/OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE. COST TO FIX THE STEERING PUMP FAILURE - $1200.00. *TR

AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE IT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. SUDDEN LOST OF POWER STEERING. DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE SECOND PUMP THAT WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THE FIRST PUMP STOP WORKING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. UPON TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME - FOLLOWED BY INTERMITTENT FAILURES/NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS SPORADICALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMALL CITY STREET IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER S AND WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN - AS SOON AS I DID, THE STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY...AND UN-RESPONSIVE. I WAS ABLE TO THROUGH MUSCLE STRENGTH FORCE THE CAR THROUGH THE TURN BUT HAD THERE BEEN ANYONE NEXT TO ME THIS SURELY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION AS IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT TURN. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE POWER STEERING WAS SUDDEN AND WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED. *TR

POWER STEERING FUNCTION FAILED; STEERING IS NOW NON-POWERED. *TR

ON THE MORNING OF SUNDAY MAY 13TH 2012 (MOTHERS DAY), I DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROX 11 MILES TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HOME. DURING THIS 11 MILE RIDE ALL SEEMED NORMAL WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER VISITING FOR A FEW HOURS I DROVE IT APPROX 5 MORE MILES TO A STOP & SHOP, AGAIN ALL SEEMED FINE WITH THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THE 10-15MINUTES I WAS INSIDE PURCHASING MOTHERS DAY FLOWERS, STOP AND SHOP EMPLOYEES HAD NOTICED A FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. I WALKED INTO THE PARKING LOT TO FIND THE POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS APPROACHING MY CAR. WHEN I GOT TO IT THERE WAS NO MORE FIRE BUT STILL PLENTY OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE CAR TO SEE THAT THERE WAS NO MORE FIRE, SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LEFT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE CAR SO I JACKED UP THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE HAD ORIGINATED FROM THE ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP. THE SOCKET ON THE PUMP WAS STILL SMOKING A LOT AND VERY MELTED. THE PLUG CONNECTOR ON THE 12V/GROUNDING CABLES FEEDING THE PUMP WAS ALSO VERY MELTED. SINCE THIS FIRE OCCURRED ON A 12V LINE IT ALSO SHORTED OUT THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP THE CAR STARTED IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 15-16 MILES HOME. SINCE THEN THE PUMP HAS BEEN DISASSEMBLED TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS COMPROMISED (BURNED/ASHES). I DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER I HAD RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE EXTENSIVELY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MOST SIMPLY FAIL, EITHER CAUSING ACCIDENTS OR MERELY MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD DO DRIVE. FEW OTHER UNLUCKY OWNERS HAVE THERE PUMPS BURST INTO FLAMES. MINI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERS MINIMAL TO NO COMPENSATION. IN CANADA A RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE DEFECTIVE PUMPS. I CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT NHTSA ALONG WITH MINI USA CHOOSE TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE THIS CAUSES A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT (IF IT HASN'T ALREADY). *TR

THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE (I85) ON MARCH 3, 2012. WE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND HE HAD THE PUMP AND RESERVOIR REPLACED (TOOK 2 WEEKS). POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT AGAIN (09/26/12) WITH SAME SYMPTOMS (SPORADIC OPERATION - MAINLY NOT WORKING) WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. *TR

I DROVE MY CAR TO MY SPORTS TEAM PRACTICE, PARKED AND PROMPTLY HAD TO RELOCATE MY CAR TO AN ADJACENT LOT. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK UPON STARTING THE CAR TO MOVE IT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR WARNING OF IT'S FAILURE. NOT EVEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. *TR

AS I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, I REALIZED THAT I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WENT BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS STUCK. I DID THIS A COUPLE TIMES, THEN REALIZED MY POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND THEY WERE FINE. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY. *TR

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE. FAULTY/FAILED PUMP INTERNAL CONTROL CIRCUITRY. *TR

WATER PUMP/SUPER CHARGER FAIL CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEAT. HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP/SUPER CHARGE ASSEMBLY. *TR

MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON A WINDY BACK ROAD, ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE THE TURN, AND SINCE IT HAS FAILED COMPLETELY. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL MINI DEALERSHIP (MINI OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT) LAST WEEK TO FINALLY GET THE PART REPLACED (QUOTED $1700 AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS) THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON REPLIED WITH, "HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL?" OVERJOYED I DROVE MY MINI IN THIS MORNING AT 7AM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RECALL AND I AM STILL ON THE HOOK FOR THE $1700. NOT PLEASED. CALLING MINI TODAY. *TR

DROVE 2003 MINI TO WORK 11.5 MILES. AS I WAS MAKING A TURN INTO THE PARKING GARAGE THE STEERING WENT OUT AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS INDICATION THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AND NEGOTIATING THE OFF RAMP, THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT SO I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LIFTED HOOD TO INSPECT. THE WAS NO VISUAL INDICATION OF ISSUES AN FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. AFTER RESTARTING THE STEERING WORKED FINE AGAIN. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNER, IT WAS ALL I COULD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL THROUGH THE CORNER. I READ WHERE THERE WAS SOME "OPINIONS" THAT IF POWER STEERING COOLING FAN WAS BAD IT COULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN SO I REPLACED. STILL HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I WILL LIKELY PULL THE STEERING UNIT TO INSPECT BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS IT GIVES A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. WHEN YOU RESTART THE ENGINE EVERYTHING SEEMS OK SO YOU CONTINUE, SOMETIMES FOR WEEKS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS ALSO NO LIGHTED INDICATION OF THE FAILURE ON YOUR DASH, SO YOU DON,T EXPECT IT. THIS WILL END UP KILLING SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN GRAY SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE HARMONIC DAMPER HAD DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER DIED AT 59,000 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, SAME AS NUMEROUS OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE, AT A COST OF ABOUT $7,000. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE 2003 MINI COOPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR IT. MINI COOPER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY ITS CONSUMERS AND HAS NOT OFFERED TO HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION COST. *TR

WAS STOPPED IN PARKING LOT, FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE BAY. POWER STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR AWHILE. SHOP INDICATED THAT THE FAN FAILED AND CAUSED THE PUMP/WIRING TO COMPLETELY MELT. THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY KNOWN AND FOUND ON MINI COOPER FORUMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHATTERING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS A MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND COOLING FAN WOULD HAVE TO ALSO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR IS RACK AND PINION STEERING AND CAN BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE PUMP BUT HAD I BEEN GOING AROUND A CURVE WHEN IT FAILED, THE INCREASED WHEEL EFFORT REQUIRED COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP IS WHINING AND ACCORDING TO DEALER IS GOING TO FAIL AT ANYTIME. UNFORTUNATELY THIS UNIT DOES NOT FAIL IN THE DRIVEWAY IT FAILS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY I WILL BE DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS MY WIFE WILL NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ALL OF US MINI DRIVERS IN THE US ARE WONDERING WHY WE DON'T HAVE A RECALL HERE. *TR

I WAS GOING AROUND A 90 DEGREE CORNER AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE STEERING SEEMED TO LOCK UP. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED, AND I WRESTLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO COMPLETE THE TURN. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING HAS NOT WORKED 90% OF THE TIME. *TR

POWER STEERING OCCASIONALLY FAILS DURING LOW SPEED TURNS, E.G. U-TURN OR DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS. *TR

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MINI 2003 (ODO: 74K) ON I-90 HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING ON JUNE 28, 2012. I BARELY MADE TO EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY, AND GOT HOME. NEXT DAY, THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE BMW-MINI DEALERSHIP, AND ASSESSED THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP. THEY KNOW THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WITH MINI, BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS. THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE PART. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE COST WAS $1,200. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEEL WHILE STOPPED. MY WIFE CAN BARELY DRIVE THE CAR. FROM RESEARCHING THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES, MY SITUATION SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, AND I WOULD LIKE MY NAME TO BE ADDED TO THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION. *TT

ON 6/12/12 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TOWARDS MY SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AT SPEED OF 10-15 MILES AN HOUR. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE STEERING WHEEL FELT AS IF IT WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. WITH ALL MY FORCE I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. THERE WAS NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON OR ANY WARNINGS WHAT SO EVER, THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. IF I WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OF 70 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BEEN HURT.THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER ERRATICALLY ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED SEVERAL TIMES. I RESPONDED BY SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, I TURNED THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY. ONCE OUT OF THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE AND NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE AFT PORTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WENT BACK TO THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CONFIRM IT WAS OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN AND AS I WENT BACK TO THE OPEN HOOD THE SMOKE VOLUME HAD INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. THE SMOKE HAD A VERY CLEAR ELECTRICAL SMELL AND COLOR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TRYING TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. WHILE OBTAINING TOOLS FROM THE HATCH OF THE CAR, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY ERUPTED IN FLAMES. I OBTAINED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DIRECTED IT AT THE AFT PORTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS PRODUCED NO RESULTS AND THE FLAMES RETURNED QUICKLY. I THEN GOT THE TOOLS FROM THE HATCH OF THE CAR AND CUT THE BATTERY CABLES. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO SUBSIDE IMMEDIATELY. AT THE REPAIR FACILITY THE POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY (ELECTRIC) WAS REMOVED AND DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FACT THAT I HAD TOOLS AND 25 YEARS MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE PREVENTED THIS CAR FROM BURNING TO THE GROUND. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ON TWO LEVELS. FIRST: LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SECOND: FIRE HAZARD, ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND THE MANUFACTURE DIRECTED TO APPLY A FIX TO ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED MINI COOPER S SIX MONTHS AGO, IN DECEMBER 2011. I DROVE MY VEHICLE AS I NORMALLY DUE, JUST ACROSS TOWN ABOUT 10 MILES, AND IT WAS FINE. I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT, ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER, AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS NON-EXISTENT. I PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING IS INTERMITTENT. IF THE CAR IS HOT, IT USUALLY DOES NOT WORK, BUT IF THE CAR IS GIVEN A CHANCE TO COOL DOWN, THEN IT SEEMS TO WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REGAINED POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I DROVE MY 2003 MINI COOPER S TO MY LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RENEW MY DRIVER'S LICENSE. NOTHING ABNORMAL OCCURRED ON THE TRIP TO THE DMV. WHEN I GOT IN AND BEGAN TO DRIVE HOME, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. LATER THAT EVENING, I STARTED THE CAR WHEN IT WAS COOL AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. THE RADIATOR FAN AND THE POWER STEERING FAN DO NOT FUNCTION UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EXTREMELY OFTEN IN 2002-2007 MINIS. I ALSO FOUND, POSTED ON A MINI FORUM BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE AN ENGINEER, A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. CARBON DUST FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP GETS INTO THE CONTROL UNIT ATTACHED TO IT. SINCE THE CHIP WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED WITH A LACQUER, IT CAUSEES A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CHIP. THIS CAUSES THE PUMP TO FAIL. ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE IS THE FAILURE OF THE COOLING FAN FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAN CAN SEIZE, STOP COOLING THE PUMP, AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL OVERHEAT. THIS ALSO TRIPS A FUSE THAT STOPS THE RADIATOR FAN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CAN ALSO OVERHEAT. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING. SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND THE HAS BEEN THE ONLY WARM DAY I HAVE DRIVEN IT, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT. I PLAN TO AVOID THE $1000 CHARGE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER BY REPAIRING IT MYSELF BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT THIS FORTUNATE. I BELIEVE THIS DESIGN FLAW CAN AND WILL CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS TO OCCUR. IF MY MOTHER, SISTER, OR GIRLFRIEND HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT FAILED, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER RESULTING IN A SERIOUS CRASH. WHILE PERUSING VARIOUS MINI FORUMS, I HAVE READ STORIES OF SEVERAL SERIOUS CRASHES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON ALL 2002-2007 MINI COOPERS SO THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT HARM SOMEONE.

LOUD NOISE IN TRANSMISSION - LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING MANY COMPLAINTS INDICATING THIS HAPPENING WHILE IN TRAFFIC ARE ON A COUPLE WEBSITES - MAIN SITE: HTTP://NEWMINI.WORDPRESS.COM/2008/01/08/MINI-COOPER-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ ALSO MANY ON: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MINI.HTML

WHILE DRIVING, IT FELT AS THOUGH MY POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY LOCATION. ONCE IN THE PARKING LOT, STEERING BECAME NEAR IMPOSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT THAT EVENING, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DONE, CAUSING ME TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY CAR. *TR

THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND STOOPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH BOSTON. NOW, THE POWER STEERING PUMP STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. *JS

THE XENON IGNITER COMPONENT IN THE LEFT HEADLAMP HAS INTERMITTENT FUNCTION, FREQUENTLY CAUSING THE BULB NOT TO LIGHT. THE QUOTED REPAIR COST BY THE DEALER IS IN EXCESS OF $800 BECAUSE THE IGNITER PART IS NOT A REPLACEABLE COMPONENT (THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSY IS REPLACED). THE ORIGINAL OEM BULB IN THE AFFECTED LEFT HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED BY MINI DURING ITS WARRANTY PERIOD AND THIS WAS NOT REPORTED TO ME (THE LEFT AND RIGHT BULBS DID NOT MATCH UPON MY EXAMINATION OF THEM WHEN FIRST OBSERVING THIS PROBLEM). $800 TO FIX A LIGHT BULB IS RIDICULOUS, AND I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I OBSERVED IT IN SEPTEMBER 2010. BMW USA SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *TR

POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. SUBSEQUENT BRIEF (< 1 MINUTE) FUNCTION AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE ALSO ENDS UP IN FAILURE. BEHAVIOR IS CONSISTENT WITH FAILURE THAT CAUSED CANADA TO ISSUE RECALL FOR SAME MODEL VEHICLE FOR SAME ISSUE (TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL # 2003055). *TR

VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST COOLING FAN REPLACED TWICE AND THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE COOLING FAN. IT WORKED FINE FOR A TIME. NOW (10,000 MILES LATER) IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. IT COMES FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AND ALSO MADE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY GO BAD. IT BECAMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. *JS

MY 2003 MINI COOPER (R50), WITH MANUAL SHIFT AND 83,567 MILES, WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET WHEN A PASSERBY NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TIME FROM THE CAR BEING PARKED UNTIL THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED IS ESTIMATED AT 10 TO 20 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS TOWED THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO A MINI DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE AUXILIARY POWER STEERING COOLING FAN HAD FAILED. THE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE ESTIMATED TO NEED REPLACEMENT ARE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESS, POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR HOSE AND POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE. AT THE TIME I WAS ON A TRIP OUT-OF-TOWN 600 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND THE CAR IS STILL AT THE OUT-OF-TOWN DEALER. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING SUSPECT WITH THE CAR WERE NOTICED. APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE BONNET OF THE CAR WAS OPENED AT A MILITARY ENTRANCE GATE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES WERE NOTICED AT THAT TIME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT IN THE AFFECTED AREA. I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR HAVING PURCHASED IT AT 35,086 MILES MID-2007 FROM A LONG-TIME FRIEND WHO WAS THE FIRST OWNER. I MAINTAIN THE CAR AND KEEP ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS AND THE RETURN OF THE CAR TO MY HOME. I HAVE READ ABOUT RECALLS BY TRANSPORT CANADA FOR 2002-2005 MINI STEERING PUMPS WHICH WOULD INDICATE THIS ISSUE IS WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION FOR RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE DEFECT. PLEASE FORMALLY INVESTIGATE THIS INCIDENT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT JUST AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR NEARLY EVERY YEAR MODEL THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET. I CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND I STATED THAT MESSAGE BOARDS ONLINE WERE LOADED WITH ANGRY CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $2500! PLEASE, NHTSA, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH EXTREME FORCE AS SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE INITIATED IN THE STEERING PUMP COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WENT DOWN A DIRT RODE TO MEET A CLIENT. POWERSTEERING WAS WORKING. MET WITH CLIENT, GOT BACK IN THE CAR, AND THE POWERSTEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN THERE IS NO POWERSTEERING. *TR

THE STEERING PUMP FAILED ON THE FREEWAY. *JS

STEERING PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A FIRE HAD ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE AREA AND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEED CAR LOST STEERING ASSIST, INTERMITTENTLY CAME BAD THEN FAILED, I THEN SLOWED DOWN STEERING DID NOT CAME BACK, ONCE STOPPED LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL BURNING, EVEN WITH KEY OFF I COULD HEAR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP STILL TRYING TO RUN, THE FIRE WAS FROM THE HEAVY BATTERY FEED WIRES INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP THE COMPOSITE END OF PUMP MELTED, ONCE I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY THE SOURCE OF FIRE WAS REMOVED, I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 4 YEARS WORKING IN A GM DEALER SHIP, MASTER ASE TECH, I FEEL IF I WAS A TYPICAL CONSUMER AND HAD NOT KNOWN TO PULL BATTERY POWER THE OUT COME COULD HAD BEEN WORSE. *TR

CAR IMPACTED THE REAR END OF A JEEP AT LOW RATE OF SPEED (WAS BRAKING TO AVOID CRASH IN THE FRONT). UPON IMPACT THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. LUCKILY THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR. WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY IN FLAMES. NO ONE WAS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT IF THE OCCUPANT DID NOT GET OUT WHEN THEY DID THE OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE DIED DUE TO SMOKE OR FLAME INJURY.MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS LOW FRONT END IMPACT SHOULD NOT HAVE RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE FIRE AND LARGE FLAMES. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CAR JUST AFTER THE OCCUPANT GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO PHOTOS OF THE CAR AFTER IT WAS TOWED BACK TO WRECKER YARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,600.

WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 MINI, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT, THE POWER STEERING WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. RESEARCH SHOWS THE LIKELY REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. I AM ORDERING A NEW PUMP TO REPLACE THE FAILED PUMP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MINI FOR THIS YEAR MODEL. MINI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR INCLUDING LABOR AS THE PUMP APPEARS TO HAVE HAD ISSUES SINCE 2002. *TR

MY CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING. I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. AS SOON AS I CONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE, SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE SMOKE WAS ACRID, LIKE SMOKE FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE AS LONG AS THE BATTERY CABLES WERE CONNECTED. CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE FIRE,I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP AND PUMP COOLING FAN WERE DEFECTIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT EITHER THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH EITHER THE POWER STEERING OR THE BATTERY. *TR

NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL HAPPEND OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. I DIDNT HIT ANYTHING OR HIT A BIG BUMP. I ADJUSTED MY SEAT AND I HAVE READ THAT MINI COOPER MAY HAVE MADE THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE SEAT TOO SHORT SO WHEN YOU RECLINE OR MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD FOR PASSENGERS IT COULD TRIGGER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR AND IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AROUND A BEND, MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. AS THE CURVE WAS OF DECREASING RADIUS, THIS FAILURE WAS EVIDENT BY A SIGNIFICANT (>100%) INCREASE IN RESISTANCE TO STEERING ANGLE CHANGE AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN A COMPLETE LACK OF AUTOMATIC RETURN TO A NEUTRAL STEERING PATH (THE CAR WANTED TO "STAY" IN THE TURN). RETURNING THE CAR TO NEUTRAL STEERING ANGLE ALSO REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT (>100%) ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OF FORCE. UPON PULL-OVER AND RESTART OF THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED, BUT ONLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE OF DRIVING. FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE THE POWER STEERING FLUCTUATED IN AND OUT MAKING DRIVING DIFFICULT. CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FAULT DIAGNOSIS THIS WEEK AS THE ISSUE HAS PERSISTED AND CONTINUED TO WORSEN (LONGER DROUGHTS OF POWER STEERING OPERATION) OVER THE PAST WEEK. *TR

POWER STEERING SEEM A LITTLE HARD BUT WHILE CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY IT SEEMED LIKE IT ALMOST WENT COMPLETELY OUT. HASN'T HAPPENED LIKE THAT SINCE BUT ITS STILL A LITTLE HARDER TO TURN THAT WHAT I THINK IT SHOULD BE. *TR

MY POWER STEERING FIRST FAILED AS I WENT INTO A TURN ON A HIGHWAY. IT SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR, BUT LUCKILY IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN IN TIME FOR ME TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND NOT CRASH. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHO SAID IT COULD BE THE POWER STEERING, BUT TO WAIT AND SEE IF IT DOES IT AGAIN, AS THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THEN, TWO WEEKS LATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED PERMANENTLY AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE WHEELS TO TURN AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT, BUT NOW I WILL HAVE A COSTLY REPAIR BILL. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT INJURED IN THESE INCIDENTS BECAUSE I VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. *KB

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTING VEHICLE WOULD CORRECT PROBLEM ,DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS RE-OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY . DEALERSHIP PRESENTLY REPLACING FAULTY PUMP OUT OF WARRANTY . YOUTHFULL - INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WARNING TO ALL!!! *KB

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO MANEUVER TURNING LEFT. I REPORTED THIS DECEMBER 14 2011 AND THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FAN IN DECEMBER. REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING PUMP JANUARY 30, BECAUSE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THE POWER STEERING SHOULDN'T FAIL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM. *KB

I WAS DRIVING THE MINI COOPER ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE THAT HARD TO CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY OF MY FAMILY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THERE IS A CHANGE IN DESIGN TO THE PART. SIMPLY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITH A NEW OR REFURBISHED PART WITH A SIMILAR DESIGN WILL NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE. *TR

BEGINNING IN APPROXIMATELY APRIL OF 2009, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY. ANYONE WHO IS INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO USE ANY INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE CAN FIND HUNDREDS OF ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. DUE TO WHAT HAS BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED AS A WIRING PROBLEM IN THE SEAT SENSORS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO DEPLOY WITH IMPROPER FORCE. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI OWNERS, AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE ALL ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO A WIRING HARNESS UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT BREAKS DUE TO MOVING THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH. UNLESS I'M MISSING PAGES FROM THE MANUAL, MOVING THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH IS A NORMAL FUNCTION, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR IF SIMPLY MOVING THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH CAN RENDER THE AIRBAG SENSOR USELESS. MINI ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE IN 2006, AND STATED 'IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, WE ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE VEHICLE FOR DEFECTS THAT MAY OCCUR, FOR THIS SPECIFIC AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ISSUE, ON YOUR VEHICLE FOR 10 YEARS / 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. UNDER TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY COVERAGE, MINI WILL COVER ALL NECESSARY REPAIR COSTS RELATED TO THIS ACTION.' I HAVE BEEN TOLD THREE TIMES BY MINI THAT THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHY IT DOES NOT APPLY. THEY JUST TELL ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT CLEARLY FITS THE BILL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE WIRING IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE, AND NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE A DEFECT CORRECTED. MINI WON'T EVEN PAY TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR

TURNING FROM A LEFT HAND TURN LANE ON TO A SIDE STREET AS I HAVE DONE AT LEAST 4 TIMES A DAY FOR OVER 10 YEARS, I LOST ALL POWER AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN THE LOSS OF POWER, THE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THE LOSS OF BRAKES CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE CURB. THIS ACCIDENT RESULTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND ASSEMBLY BEING REPLACED. NOT LONG AFTER GETTING MY MINI COOPER S THE HESITATION OF THE ACCELERATOR WHEN STATING OFF IN FIRST GEAR BEGAN. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP AT THE MINI DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TOO MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2005 I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY STEERING AND THE NOISE IT MAKES. THE WHOLE STEERING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, YET IN 2009 I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. THE POWER LOSS WAS ELECTRICAL EVEN THOUGH MY ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE FINAL OUTCOME WAS MINI REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I'VE COMPLAINED TIME AND AGAIN YET WITH NO HELP UNLESS IT'S COMING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. SINCE OWNING THIS MINI COOPER S I'VE SPENT NEARLY 6000.00 IN REPAIRS. BECAUSE OF THE INTERDEPENDENT NATURE OF THE ASC/DSC ON THE VEHICLES BRAKING, ELECTRONICS, AND EVEN STARTING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP; HAS THIS FEATURE BEEN PROPERLY STUDIED AS THE CULPRIT FOR THE MANY AND VARIED PROBLEMS THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS? IN THE UK THERE IS A BLOG CALLED WATCHDOG THAT HAS 180 PEOPLE WHO POSTED BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND APRIL 2009 THAT ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THAT I AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. HOW CAN SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM GO UNRESOLVED FOR SO LONG. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS PROBLEM ALONE FALLS UNDER THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301). *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE TO NORMAL STEERING WHEEL OPERATION, RESULTING IN DRIVER HAVING TO TAKE UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN STEERING CORRECTION TO AVOID RUNNING OFF THE ROAD OR COLLIDING WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER, POWER STEERING PUMP JUST QUIT MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TOO DRIVE. WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON THING WITH THE MINI COOPER AND AFTER CHECKING ON LINE I SEE THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! I THINK BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THIS!!! AFTER ALL 800 DOLLARS FOR A NEW ONE IS A BIT MUCH!!! *KB

ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT I PARKED MY CAR IN A WELLS FARGO BANK PARKING LOT AFTER GOING TO THE GYM. UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAD PARKED NEXT TO ME INFORMED ME THAT "YOUR CAR IS SMOKING" I LOOKED AND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT IT AND SAW WHITE SMOKE WHICH SMELLED ELECTRICAL. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO NOTICED SMOKE CAME OUT OF HER SUV TO HELP. SHE AND I LOOKED AND SHE INFORMED ME THAT SHE SAW A SMALL FLAME COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. I SAW IT AND EXTINGUISHED IT WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER I HAD. I THEN HEARD AN ELECTRICAL SPINNING/HUMMING AS IF SOMETHING WAS STILL ELECTRICALLY CHARGED. THE SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO INTENSIFY AND GOT SO OUT OF CONTROL I WAS TEMPTED TO CALL 911 BUT THEN I THOUGHT TO DISCONNECT ANY POWER TO THE CAR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THIS ACTION CUT ALL POWER TO THE CAR AND STOPPED THE SMOKE AND ELECTRICAL SPINNING/HUMMING. I CALLED AAA AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. ON THE EVENING OF 12/23/2011 MY MECHANIC CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND ESTIMATED THE REPAIRS AT $1,046. ON 12/26/2011 MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME BY MY MECHANIC WHO SHOWED ME THE FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH MELTED OTHER WIRES AND COMPONENTS OF THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM. TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES WAS $1,053. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND PROCEEDED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO WARNING, SOMETIMES AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED AND IN TURNS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP QUIT FOR GOOD APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED - OR WORSE, HURT SOMEONE ELSE. THE MINI COOPER IS VERY HARD TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I'M A STRONG WOMAN BUT IT TAKES SOME SERIOUS UPPER ARM STRENGTH AND CORE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE MOST DISTURBING PART IS THE LACK OF WARNING. THERE IS NO CLUE THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE POWER. THESE PARTS ARE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE AND THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF MECHANICS WILLING TO WORK ON THESE CARS IN OUR AREA. I DON'T KNOW IF THE POWER STEERING FAN WAS AFFECTED, AS WELL, BUT I SUSPECT IT BROKE SOMEWHERE IN THAT TIME, TOO. I KNOW THERE ARE INCIDENTS OF THESE CARS CATCHING FIRE, AND THANKFULLY, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THAT. PLEASE HELP. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND REGAINED POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED BACK IN JUNE 27, 2007. I PARKED MY CAR AND THEN NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. OPENED THE BONNET AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEMPORARILY PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT IT RE-IGNITED AND AT THIS POINT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT SAFELY. THE BMW DEALER KEPT SAYING THERE WAS NEVER A FIRE, JUST SMOLDERING. THE "SMOLDERING" WAS THE CAUSE OF A STEERING PUMP FAILURE WHICH OVERHEATS, WHICH IN TURN DAMAGED THE LOOM (HARNESS, OR MAIN WIRING FOR THE VEHICLE), WHICH ALSO RUINED THE BATTERY. THE COST WAS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR THE "SMOLDERING" DAMAGES. PRIOR TO THE STEERING PUMP FAILURE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WERE STEERING PROBLEMS, NOR ANY POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CAR MILEAGE WAS AT 65,525 AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. PUMP REMAINED ON AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND DRAINED BATTERY, NOW CAR WILL NOT RUN. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE! *TR

WE HAVE A MINI COOPER COUPE 2003 WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT IN MINT CONDITION WHERE THE BELT FOR CVT TRANSMISSION DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND PLACING ME AT RISK FOR INJURY. WE HAD PROVIDED GOOD MAINTENANCE FOR THE MINI BY CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION OIL WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 8000.00 MILES AND THEN AT 15000 MILES WITH HIGH GRADE SYNTHETIC OIL AT $100.00. TRANSMISSION SHOP WORKING ON OUR CAR INQUIRED ABOUT PARTS FROM BMW AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT SELL PARTS FOR THAT TRANSMISSION AND IF YOU WANT IT FIXED YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION IN A BOX FOR $6,000.00. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN OPTION IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ONLY GOING TO LAST 30,000 MILES. WHO CAN AFFORD SUCH A DISPOSABLE CAR? *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

UPON TURNING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT, ONE PART OF MY BACK SEEMED TO BE GETTING EXTREMELY HOT. UPON TURNING AROUND, I SAW A SMALL HOLE HAD BEEN BURNED IN THE SEAT COVER AND WAS SMOLDERING AND SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. IT TOOK MANY MINUTES TO COOL DOWN AND STOP SMOKING. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IF IT HAD BEEN IN MOTION, MY SAFETY WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN COMPRISED, AS I COULD HAVE SUSTAINED BURNS BEFORE PULLING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DISTRACTION OF A BURNING SEAT IS ALSO NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL. *TR

ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO SCHOOL PARKING LOT, POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING, STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENTLY FALTERED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR BUT HAS NOW FAILED ENTIRELY. *TR

DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED TURNING RIGHT INTO PARKING GARAGE POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO CONTACT ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THE PAST WEEK THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS RANDOMLY FAILED. TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED CAR AND STEERING STARTS WORKING CORRECTLY AGAIN. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S. CAR OVER HEATED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FAN ON POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSED PUMP TO FAIL AND CAR TO OVER HEAT.

POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER 27,000 MILES. INTERMITTENTLY WORKS FOR 5 MINUTES IN THE MORNING AND SOMETIMES INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTIONS WHEN DRIVING WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAD THE MINI DEALER INSPECT IT FROM MINI CORPORATES RECOMMENDATION. DEALER INDICATED THE ELECTRONICS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND THAT THEY HAD PLENTY OF REPLACEMENT UNITS IN STOCK FOR CIRCA $1,600.00. MY CLAIM WAS REJECTED BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR EARLIER MINI COOPER POWER STEERING UNITS TO FAIL. I HAVE INVESTIGATED AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES NOW IN THE BUSINESS OF REBUILDING/REMANUFACTURING SPECIFICALLY MINI COOPER POWER STEERING UNITS. ODD THAT A RELATIVELY LOW VOLUME VEHICLE COULD GENERATE SO MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY DOES NOT EXIST. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I AM UNABLE TO EXIT MY CAR WITHOUT UNLOCKING THE DOORS FROM THE CENTRAL PANEL, ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT A BEST PRACTICE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHICH I WOULD LIKE MINI TO RECOGNIZE AS DANGEROUS. IF IT IS JUST A CABLE INSIDE THE DOOR THAT IS NEEDED, THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WILL BE $233.00 (THE PART IS $17.00 THE REST IS FOR LABOR). *TR

IT STARTED WITH LOUD NOISES AND RPM JUMPS TO BETWEEN 5 AND 6 WHEN ACCELERATING. IT NOW MAKES UNBELIEVABLE SOUNDS WHEN TRYING TO GO BEYOND 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANICS AND HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. BMW DOES NOT SELL PARTS. IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $5400 AT LEAST FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 55000 MILES.

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND A BEND AND THE STEERING EFFORT HAD GREATLY INCREASED. IF I HAD TO MAKE A EMERGENCY MANEUVER, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE IT SUCCESSFULLY. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE CONTACT RESUMED CAUTIOUSLY WITH THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. HE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT INDICATING THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED TO ASSIST MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN A CORNER. *TT

POWER STEERING UNIT ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STARTED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN LANE CONTROL. WITHOUT POWER STEERING I WOULD GRIP HARD AND BARELY MAKE IT THROUGH A TURN, THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD OPERATE CAUSING ME TO OVERSTEER INTO THE ADJACENT LANES OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN DRIVING CARS, TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES FOR OVER 40 YRS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A DRIVING SITUATION AS DANGEROUS AS THIS. I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW MY DAUGHTERS TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL I FEEL CONFIDENT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER JUST WEEKS AGO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. ALMOST INSTANTLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE LA FREEWAY. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT WE NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. WE PURCHASED THIS AND HAD IT INSTALLED FOR APPROX.$1200.00. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAN STILL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, SO THIS ISSUE WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER ON TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY.(STILL NO POWER STEERING WORKING)THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $7150 APPROX. AND THIS IS BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN DIAGNOSE THE STEERING FAN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS, MINI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AS THE REPAIRS ARE MUCH MORE THAN THE CARS VALUE AND THE MINI SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY. IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR ANOTHER ONE. AS OF TODAY MY DAUGHTER HAS TO WALK/BUS TO SCHOOL AND THE MINI SITS.WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COPPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED IN OPERATION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AREA ON THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ENGAGED FORCEFULLY IN ODER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A CLOSED INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA07011 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: PUMP) WHICH THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,450.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SEIZE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE, ON SURFACE ROAD IN CASTRO VALLEY, CA. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT, WHILE TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF CAR, I CONTINUED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC, IF ANOTHER CAR WAS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THIS WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A REPAIR NEEDED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL DEFECT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,648.

WHILE CRUISING 60MPH I WAS APPROACHING THE CURVED RAMP FROM I-26 TO THE COOPER RIVER BRIDGE IN CHARLESTON SC. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I HAD TO "MAN HANDLE" THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENTER THE LEFT CURVE. PART WAY THRU THE CURVE, THE POWER STEERING STARTED AGAIN AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN A SEVERE TURN TO THE LEFT. JUST ABOUT LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY SWERVED TO AVOID ME. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. STOPPED AT THE MINI DEALER IN CHARLESTON, SERVICE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. SPOKE WITH THE PARTS GUY AND WAS TOLD IT IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE MINI, THEY HAVE THEM IN STOCK AND MAY USUALLY GET ANOTHER DELIVERY EVERYDAY. I WOULD HOPE THAT THE MANUFACTURE STEP TO THE PLATE AND REMEDY THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC AND I'VE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE COOLING FAN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW, ONLY A YEAR LATER AFTER MY 2ND REPLACEMENT AND A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE CARE ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS COSTLY AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR BY MINI OR BMW. *TR

AFTER CAR WAS SITTING FOR 4 HOURS THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK; I MUSCLED THE CAR HOME AND WHEN I STARTED IT TO TAKE TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY IT WAS WORKING AGAIN; I REVIEWED THIS ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS (MINI COOPER, 56,000 MILES, '03. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING BOX FAILURE ONLY 70,000 MILES. *TR

REPEATED POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAVE REPLACED PUMP (AS WELL AS BELTS, FLUIDS, ETC.) NEW PUMP FIXED PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. NOW IT JUST STOPS WORKING AGAIN! NO COMPUTER CODE SHOWING PROBLEM. MAY WORK FINE ON START THEN JUST GO OUT A ANY POINT. MAY STAY OUT. MAY BE FINE AFTER RESTART. NO POWER STEERING WITHOUT NOTICE IS DANGEROUS! CAR HAS 90K MILES. SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM! THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY AT ALL SPEEDS, AT ALL DRIVING TIMES, AT MANY VARYING CIRCUMSTANCES (WET/DRY, HOT/NOT HOT, ENGINE COLD/ENGINE WARM, STRAIGHT ROADS/CURVY ROADS). DATE BELOW IS TODAY'S DATE, BUT THIS BEGAN HAPPENING 2 MONTHS AFTER BOUGHT CAR USED. DEALER HAS MADE NUMEROUS GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO REPAIR, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING. IT IS A DEFECT AND A DANGEROUS ONE!!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RELAY AND POWER STEERING PUMP BOTH FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. .UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONTROL HARNESS AND POWER SUPPLY HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED.

POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED TO BECOME LOUDER AROUND 83K MILES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP AND IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE OF THIS. AFTER RESEARCH, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO A RECALL AND STATED ONLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WAS IN PROGRESS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 08/31/*LJ THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/12/11

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

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.

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

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER AT THE BEGINNING OF A 40 MINUTE DRIVE HOME. THE NEXT DAY, ALL WAS FINE AND CONTINUED TO BE SO UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON. BRIEFLY THIS AFTERNOON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN, BUT RETURNED WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. HOWEVER, ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AGAIN, THE FAN IN THE POWER STEERING COLUMN CONTINUED TO RUN FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS. THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE FINE, AND AGAIN UPON RETURNING HOME, THE FAN CONTINUED TO RUN. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING AGAIN DID NOT WORK, AND NOW THE FAN IS NOT RUNNING. I HAVE READ MESSAGE BOARDS DETAILING ALMOST THE SAME PHENOMENON AND DESCRIBING UPWARDS OF $1000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE MINI WAS JUST IN FOR IT'S 100,000 MILE SERVICE THREE WEEKS AGO AT THE COST OF $1700 AND NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ANY ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING. *TR

POWER STEERING HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING IS FUNCTIONING AND SOMETIMES IT IS NOT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AS THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,512.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WOULD NOT PROPERLY SEAL AND WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FUEL CAP, FUEL TANK NOZZLE, HOSE AND CONNECTOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/08/11*LJ UPDATED 3/02/2012 *LN

2003 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS STATED IT WOULD COST $ 9,3000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE MINI DIDN'T SELL THE CVT TRANSMISSION ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE DONATED THE VEHICLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 35-40, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND CREATED A VERY UNSAFE MOMENT AS I MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME WITH GREAT PHYSICAL EFFORT INVOLVED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN ON-LINE DESCRIPTIONS FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION .... IT IS ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I AM SURPRISED THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN REQUIRED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,500. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 2/15/2012 *LN *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A SNOW COVERED CURVY ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE DITCH. NO DAMAGE, WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SLOWED ENOUGH BEFORE CRASHING. THANKFUL NO OTHER CARS WERE IN THE OTHER LANE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW. *TR

HI, I'M THE THIRD OWNER OF A 2003 MINI COOPER S SINCE FEBRUARY 2010, LOCATED IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA. IN THE BEGINING OF MAY 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE BIG ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS RUNNING DISCONTINOUS, ALL THE LIGHTS (FRONT, BACK AND DASHBOARD) ARE DIMMING AND AFTER JUST AFEW MILES OF DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW EVERYDAY WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'VE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAN AND IT SPINS FREE. NO BLOW OF THE F5 FUSE (AS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTED). IT HAPPEND TO ME IN THE LAST YEAR FOR 3 TIMES, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT, BUT FEW HOURS AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR, THE PUMP CAME BACK NORMALLY (EXCEPTING THE CONTINOUS WHINING NOISE OF IT). DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER YET FOR A PUMP REPLACEMENT. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MINIS 2002-2006 AND I WANT TO CLAIM THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR TOO. HOPE THIS PROBLEM TO BECOME A RECALL SOON FOR MINI/BMW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER. I AM EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING LOSS THAT IS CURRENTLY A TEMPORARY CONDITION. IT OFTEN OCCURS WHILE EXITING ONTO HWY 10/61 CLOVERLEAF IN WOODBURY, MINNNESOTA. ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE NEARLY DRIVEN OFF OF THE ROADWAY DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. IT IS AN EXIT THAT IS TAKEN AT 45-50 MPH AND AN HILL DOWNWARD. WHEN IT OCCURS THE CAR VEERS HARD LEFT AS THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE STEERING REQUIRES A HEAVY DRIVER INPUT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS OFF THE ROADWAY BRIEFLY UNTIL I COULD MUSCLE IT BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY. A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. I AM SURE IF THIS OCCURRED WITH MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER BEHIND THE WHEEL, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS, SO I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. SEEMS CLEARLY TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS MORE AN ISSUE OF DESIGN THAT WEAR AND TEAR. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN FAILED AT 55,000 MILES. WHILE IT HAPPENED IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK, IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CREATED A SERIOUS HAZARD.

2003 MINI COOPER S POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AND NEARLY WRECKED THE CAR IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I DOUBT SHE COULD HAVE SAVED IT. GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF LIKE POSTS. ON ANOTHER QUICK SEARCH, AS OF 2006, 50 PUMP FAILURES RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF FIRE. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT POST. MAYBE 10% OF THE MINI DRIVERS POST ONLINE. THIS IS A DISGRACE! *TR

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

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED VIOLENTLY FOLLOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT RESET OF THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT BARELY MISSED CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HARNESS WAS MELTED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/10/11

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND IT WAS SOON EVIDENT THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS STARTING TO FAIL. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN. AFTER PULLING BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT, SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING BECAME FUNCTIONAL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. POWER STEERING NOW APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONING. COINCIDENTALLY, THIS CAR HAS ALREADY HAD A STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT IN DECEMBER 2004 WITH 23070 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE WAS GRADUAL, BUT ALARMING FOR SUCH A LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 48000 MILES ON THE NEW PUMP AND SUGGESTS A FAULTY PART/DESIGN WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE MORE SERIOUS INCIDENTS.

YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME NORMALLY. WHEN I SLOWED TO TURN INTO THE ALLEY WHERE I PARK MY CAR MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I MISSED SLAMMING INTO THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING BY A COUPLE INCHES AND WAS ABLE TO PARK. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND EVEN PUT A LITTLE IN. SINCE THE THEN THE POWER STEERING IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, BUT "CATCHES" EVERY NOW AND THEN. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE. AFTER READING OF NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVING THIS ISSUE, I CALLED BMW TODAY. THEY RECORDED MY INFORMATION AND SAID I WOULD BE INFORMED IF THERE WAS A RECALL BY NHTSA, BUT THAT NOTHING WAS BEING DONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, IN MY CASE THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS SHE WAS CLOSE TO HOME. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURN WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING SO HAD IT OCCURRED ON HER WAY TO WORK AROUND A CURVE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH FOR SURE. A COUPLE OF TURNS SHE NEEDS TO MAKE HAVE STEEP DROP OFFS AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED DUE TO THIS, BUT I CAN SEE WHERE IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AND NOT BE PINPOINTED AS THE CAUSE SINCE THE FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE AND WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, NOT AFTER BEING STOPPED. *TR

HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 7 YEARS AND IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. I WAS TAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO MY WORK WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAUSED ME APPLY THE BRAKES HARD AND TURN THE WHEEL WITH A GOOD AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MAKE THE TURN. IT WAS LUCKY THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF A 50 MILE DRIVE, NO ISSUES UNTIL THEN. I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AN HOUR LATER AND I WORKED FINE. I DROVE IT BACK HOME THE NEXT MORNING 50 MILES WITH NO ISSUES. MY MAIN CONCERN IS HAVING HAD THE CAR FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME IT CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE, AND MY WORRY NOW IS WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS HAD TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE (CVT TRANSMISSION) AT ONLY 46,129 MILES. FAILURE WAS TOTAL AND SUDDEN AND VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A COST OF $10,055.44 (PARTS $6,943.28, LABOR $2,700 + TAX). THIS COST IS MORE THAT THE VEHICLES' CURRENT VALUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONLY A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION CAN REPLACE THE FAULTY ONE, AND EVEN THEN THAT TRANSMISSION MAY AGAIN FAIL AS THEY ARE SUCH TERRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE ANY OTHER TRANSMISSION OPTION. THE DEALER BASICALLY LAUGHED AND SAID, "I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU HAVE AN EXTRA $10,000 LAYING AROUND," WHEN HE TOLD ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN LOWERING THE COST, BUT BASICALLY SAID "TOUGH LUCK" AND TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR IS USELESS AND UNFIXABLE AT THIS COST. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE AS CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A FAILED TRANSMISSION, AND THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS TOTALLY FAULTY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL COMPLETELY, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE, AND GREATLY INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ACCIDENT. THE FLUID LEVELS ARE CORRECT, AND POWER STEERING WILL RETURN AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE.. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND HE OBSERVED THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH LOW 70 THOUSAND MILES COUGH FIRE ON JANUARY 31 2011 AROUND 4 AM IN THE MORNING. IT WAS SEEN TO START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER AIRBAG AND CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE THE FRONT END UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER PASSENGER DASH WAS TOLD FAILURE WAS ABS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE SMELLED FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I WAS LEAVING MY HOME WHEN I NOTICE, AS SOON AS I START MY CAR, THAT MY STEERING IS VERY STIFF. I HAVE TO USE MY WHOLE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW OFF AND ON. GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH PROBLEM TO FIND ITS GOING TO COST ME NEAR $1000 TO FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WHILE DOING FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH-SPEED AND PREPARING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AS SUCH, I NEARLY DROVE OFF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON THE EXIST RAMP -- VERY HARD EMERGENCY BRAKING WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AND THUS, CONTROL THE CAR. I LATER DISCOVERED BY MINI OF SAN DIEGO (WHO CONDUCTED REPAIRS) THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1,100. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH MINI POWER STEERING PUMPS WERE BEING INVESTIGATED AND THAT A RECALL MIGHT BE ISSUED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED FURTHER AND BELIEVE THAT THE 1ST YEAR BEING REVIEWED IS THE 2004. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED AS WELL IN THE EVENT OF A RECALL SINCE I EXPERIENCED THE VERY SAME PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED, AND THE DANGER RESULTING FROM THE DEFECT IS CONSIDERABLE.

DRIVING NORMALY POWER STEERING FAILED ON FREEWAY CURVE, HAD TO FIGHT TO GAIN CONTROL. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S JUST HAD A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE RESULTING IN AT LEAST $600.00 IN REPAIR COST. CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, STEERING WENT TO MANUAL EFFORT, NO ASSIST, NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE AS SHE WOULD HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY COMPLETING THE TURN. I KNOW THE STEERING STILL OPERATES, BUT IF YOU AREN'T READY FOR THE DRASTICALLY INCREASED EFFORT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A TURN, YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HALF-WAY THROUGH A TURN IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IS NO TIME TO FIND OUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FINISH IT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. TO HAVE A MAJOR SAFETY AND CONTROL SYSTEM OF YOUR VEHICLE FAIL THIS QUICKLY (ONLY 80,000 MILES) LEAVES ME WONDERING AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER VITAL SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE. MINI MADE CHANGES ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON LATER VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THIS WITHOUT HAVING ANY RECALL OR VOLUNTARY REPAIR PROGRAM FOR RETROFIT TO THE OLDER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND DEFINITELY NOT SAFE. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. CAR RADIO TURNS ON WHEN CAR IS OFF AND NO KEY IS IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN. ONCE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN I WAS LEAVING A PARKING AREA CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED DAMAGES. I HAVE HOWEVER REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN APROX 2009. A FUSE THAT RUNS EVERYTHING FOR COOLING BLEW AND GAVE ME NO WARNING THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FILED AT 58000 MILES LUCKY FOR ME I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR BUSY TRAFFIC AS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. MINI USA ARE TOTALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STOPPED PUTTING THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN NEWER MODEL VEHICLES. THEY WILL ALSO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ARE UNWILLING TO RECTIFY IT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE CONCERNING THIS TRANSMISSION BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THERE IS STILL NO SAFETY RECALL. I HOPE IT IS NOT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE. ALSO THE BUSHINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE A FRAME ARE BAD WCH IN MY OPINION IS A SERIOUS FAULT AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS 7,000+ THESE CARS ARE ROLLING DEATH TRAPS IN MY OPINION AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *LN

2003 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.

MINI COOPER DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES UNDER CERTAIN FREEZING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING FREEZING WEATHER, USUALLY WHEN SNOW OR ICE IS PRESENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS. AT TIMES, IT OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MANY HOURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING. HOWEVER, IT CAN ALSO OCCUR AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED AND THE VEHICLE DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, NEITHER THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE HANDLES WILL OPEN THE DOOR. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO EXIT (OR ENTER) THE VEHICLE USING THE OTHER DOOR (SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INSTANCE WHEN BOTH DOORS FROZE) AND WAIT FOR THE CONDITION TO RECTIFY ITSELF. *TR

WHEN I BOUGHT THE MINI BACK IN MARCH THE NIGHT I BROUGHT IT HOME THE STEERING SUDDENLY GOT REALLY STIFF. THEN WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS WORKING FINE, THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO GOT STIFF AGAIN, WENT AWAY AND NOW IS COMPLETELY OUT. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER. POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY THEN COMPLETELY. STEERING FAILED BUT WOULD RESTART AFTER CAR WAS RESTARTED. STEERING SHUT OFF AND CAME BACK ON SUDDENLY DURING A LONG SWEEPING CURVE CAUSING A NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A REBUILT AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. SECOND PUMP HAS ALSO FAILED AFTER ABOUT A YEAR. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER. BARELY GAINED CONTROL IN TIME TO STOP. I WHEN TO THE MINI DEALER AND THE MECHANIC SAID " THIS IS A COMMON FLAW IN MINIS FROM 2002-2005. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME". THEN I FIND OUT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THE DEFECT. SOME CARS HAVE EVEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR ONLY HAS 63K IN IT. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE CAR WAS DRIVING. IT FRIED ONE BATTERY. PLACED SECOND BRAND NEW BATTERY IN TO CONFIRM THE FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP DEFECT. LEARNED FROM CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT POSTED ONLINE THAT BMW KNEW OF THE DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. BMW CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM IN 2007 TO GET NHSTA TO STOP INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM BY BMW BETWEEN 2003 TO 2010. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THEIR INVESTIGATION FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP THEREFORE NO RECALL! THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF REPAIR AFTER THEY TOLD ME TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALER. IF THE CAR FAILED DURING HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. NO WARNING OF WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WILL FAIL SO CONSUMERS WILL HAVE NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL IT HAPPENS. IF I DID NOT STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY, MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE.

HI THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY MINI COOPER LOSING POWER STEERING , I HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING FEW TIMES THIS WEEK AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BMW NEAR MY AREA THEY TOLD ME ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MINI CARS FROM 2001 TO 2005 AS THE PSP ( POWER STEERING PUMP ) ON THE MODELS HAVE A FAULT AND YOU MAY LOSE THE STEERING POWER AT ANY TIME . I ALMOST HAD 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE ASKING MY TO PAY 550 FOR A NEW PUMP . IF THEY HAVE A FAULTY PUMP AND THEY NOW IT CAN RISK LIVES THEY SHOULD RECALL IT OR OFFER TO FIX THIS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING REMAINED ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WIRING HARNESS AND BATTERY WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, CAUSING HARD TO CONTROL CONDITIONS IN VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER S USED IN NOVEMBER 2007. IT HAD 30,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT PROMPTLY, DEC. 2007. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AGAIN, AT 79,000 MILES, 49,000 MILES ON A NEW PUMP. IT COMES AND GOES WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE TAKING CURVES. *TR

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS 03 MINI COOPER S SINCE 5/09. I PURCHASED WITH 12,500 MILES. CURRENTLY, 32K MILES. THE XENON LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT, DRIVERS SIDE, FREQUENTLY DOES NOT IGNITE. THE SELF LEVELING HEAD LIGHT SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE AIMING DISTANCE IS VERY POOR, LIGHT SHINES APPROX 20FT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. OTHER TIMES, THE LIGHT SHINES HIGH, BLINDING ON-COMERS. THE 1ST OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM TO A MINI DEALERSHIP IN 10/03 WITH 1,971 MILES. AGAIN, 5/08 WITH 9,000 MILES WITH CHECKS PERFORMED. THIS ESTABLISHED PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. BALLASTS AND BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, MAKING IF DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AT NIGHT. AFTER DOING OUR OWN RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, IT IS TIME FOR MINI/BMW TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THIS OVERDUE SAFETY HAZARD BY IMPLEMENTING A RECALL, OR A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ALL AFFECTED CONSUMERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL HARNESS, POWER STEERING PUMP, A/C HOSES AND A/C SERVICE, WHEEL BEARINGS, INJECTION PLUGS ETC....... I STILL CANNOT FIND THE REAL PROBLEM WHY IS CAUSING A SHORT, IT HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR I HAVE EVER OWN, I HAVE NEVER SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON TRYING TO FIX ANY VEHICLE, RIGHT NOW I'M ABOUT $11,500 IN COSTS OF REPAIRS, THIS IS A CRIME TO THE CONSUMER, I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT IS IN PROGRESS, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE GET JUSTICE FROM THE MAKER OF MINI. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AND HAD TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FAN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,651.

FAILED POWERING STEERING ASSIST PUMP. *TR

THE SPARKPLUG HAS BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT THE HEAD OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER, I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP, NOISE, BINDING, AND EVENTUAL FAILURE. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DROPPING MY CHILDREN OFF FROM SCHOOL AND THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CORNER. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND NOT MY TEENAGE SON OR DAUGHTER AS THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH ON MINI COOPER FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO FAILURE OF A ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMP. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER MINI OF MURRAY UTAH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN FORCE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOW MINI COOPER ISSUE. THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS OWN VEHICLE. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD HAVE COST MY THE LIFE OF MY CHILDREN. THIS MUST BE RECALLED. *TR

ON SEP 5, 2010 AROUND 2:40PM, I PARKED MY 2003 MINI COOPER IN FRONT OF THE LOWE'S STORE IN SAN BRUNO, CA AND WENT INSIDE FOR SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE. AFTER 20 MINUTES LATER WE HEARD A STORE EMPLOYEE CALLED 911 FOR THE SMOKE/FIRE CAME OUT FROM MY CAR. I WENT OUT THE STORE IMMEDIATELY AND SAW THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABOUT TO PUT OUT THE SMOKE. THE FIREFIGHTERS OPENED THE HOOD AND HEARD THE NOISE UNDER THE CAR. NEXT, THEY DISCONNECTED THE CAR BATTERY AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. THE MINI COOPER WAS TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. HERE IS THE DIAGNOSTICS RESULT: "INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING INOPERATIVE. INSPECTED POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING. FOUND WIRING MELTED AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. FOUND OVER CURRENT DAMAGE DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE CAUSING BATTERY LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, WIRING HARNESS, POWER STEERING PUMP FAN, AND ALTERNATOR." I BELIEVE THIS IS A MINI COOPER DESIGN FAILURE ACCORDING TO BBC SPECIAL REPORTS IN 2009. LINK 1: MINI POWER STEERING FAILURES HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/BLOGS/WATCHDOG/2009/02/MINI_STEERING_SYSTEM_FAILURES.HTML LINK 2: MINIS THAT COULD CATCH FIRE HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/BLOGS/WATCHDOG/2009/04/MINI_UPDATE.HTML. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S - POWER STEERING HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED AT HIGH AND LOW SPEED DRIVING. WIFE RAN ONTO SIDEWALK ONCE WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST. SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING WHEN DRIVING. STEERING FAILS. WHEN CAR COOLS CONTROL COMES BACK, BUT FAILS AGAIN AFTER LESS THAN A MILE. CALLED 3 DEALERSHIPS WHO ALL KNEW & HAD REPAIRED CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. ESTIMATED $1500-2000 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX WITH NO HELP FROM MANUFACTURER. I COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD BARELY 40,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING ON GERMAN ENGINEERED CAR. ONE SERVICE TECH SAID "THE PROBLEMS ARE IN THE PUMPS AND THOSE AREN'T DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED BY BMW, SO IT IS NOT BMWS' FAULT." BUT THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SOLD THESE CARS WITH THESES ISSUES FOR 4 YEARS. FLUSHED POWER STEERING FLUID MYSELF WHICH WAS BURNT AND BLACK. REPLACED WITH NEW RECOMMENDED FLUID. LASTED ABOUT 30 MILES BEFORE BURNING SMELL RETURNED AND STEERING PROBLEMS CONTINUED AS BEFORE. SAW ONLINE ARTICLE WHERE BMW CAUTIONED THAT 2002-2005 MINIS MAY HAVE STEERING ISSUES BUT NO RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. THE ARTICLE ESTIMATED 225,000 CARS AT RISK AND A RECALL MIGHT DESTROY THE MINI LINE. SO BE IT. 2002 AND 2003 MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN INVESTIGATION OF 2004 AND 2005 MODEL YEARS. CONSIDERING SELLING THE CAR TO RECOUP INVESTMENT, BUT AFTER HEARING OF NUMEROUS STEERING FAILURES AND EVEN FIRES THAT TOTAL THE CARS AND EVEN BURN DOWN HOMES AND GARAGES WHERE THEY ARE PARKED MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE PUTTING SOMEONE ELSE UNWITTINGLY IN DANGER. THE CAR HAS CURRENTLY SAT IN STORAGE WITH THE BATTERY REMOVED FROM THE CAR WHILE I DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP IN HOPES OF FIXING THE PROBLEM OR GET RID OF THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE TO TELL THEY BUYER THE ISSUES, WHICH MEANS LESS MONEY, AND I STILL OWE $6500. I WOULD LOSE ALL EQUITY I HAVE IN A CAR I PAID $20,000 FOR JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM OR I AND OTHERS HAVE UNSAFE CARS WORTH A FRACTION OF COST. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE THAT ENDED UP IN FIRE. POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE BATTERY ICON LIGHT WENT ON, AFTERWARDS IT BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE BURNT, I STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND OPEN THE BONNET, EVERYTHING WAS COVERED ON AN ASHES LAYER. THE PUMP WIRES AND CONNECTIONS WERE ALL MELTED ALONG THE PUMP. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MINI COPPER. I AM EXPERIENCING THE POWER STEERING SHUTTING OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES USUALLY WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING THE CAR. AND DURING HOT WEATHER IN THE SUMMER. I ALSO HAD THE POWER STEERING FAN REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS BAD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED HOW DIFFICULT IT HAD BECOME TO TURN THE WHEEL OF THE CAR WHEN COMPLETING A TURN. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING VISUALLY WRONG, I.E., NOTHING BROKEN, LEAKING, EMPTY, ETC. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CAME TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AT ANY TIME WHEN EITHER OF US DROVE THE CAR. MY HUSBAND DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR HOME. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND THEN DROVE THE CAR THE SAME DAY A FEW HOURS LATER AND ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD. IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL - THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THIS DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL HAPPENED IN DRIVE AS WELL AS REVERSE, WHETHER TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. VERY SCARY! *TR

DRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, MY 2003 MINI COOPER S SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE. I HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR BACK INTO MY LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THE LANE BESIDE ME. I WAS ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM HOME AND MADE IT THERE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT -- BUT TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS WAS DANGEROUSLY DIFFICULT. I CONTACTED THE MINI REPAIR SHOP THIS MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT THIS INTERMITTENT UNEXPECTED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IS UNFORTUNATELY SOMEWHAT COMMON WITH MINIS. *TR

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING (PS) FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE, POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL (AT ANY SPEED), MAKING CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL; A FRAIL PERSON COULD KILL SOMEONE. TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN WOULD RESET POWER STEERING ASSIST. HAD TO REPLACE PS PUMP FAN AND PS PUMP (DAMAGED BY OVERHEATING), AT GREAT EXPENSE (>$1100), TO DRIVE SAFELY AGAIN. *TR

ON 5/26/10 LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY. 141,000 MILES ON CAR. POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC PUMP REPLACEMENT COST $ 1005.00. *TR

POWER STEERING LOCK ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED VERY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

WHILE DRIVING A 2003 MINI COOPER VEHICLE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AUTO BARELY MADE IT TO DEALERSHIP. DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP WITH ADJOINING PARTS. VEHICLE HAD 46,594 MILES AND MINI WOULD NOT COVER DEFECT EVEN THOUGH OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINED OF PROBLEM. REPAIR TO ME WAS $979.01 + 6% CONNECTICUT SALES TAX! *TR

COMPLETE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE REMANUFACTURED UNIT FAIL 12 MONTHS LATER. UPON INVESTIGATION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2002-2006 MINI COOPERS. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS PUMP DESIGN IS POOR AND PRONE TO FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ UPDATED 04/21/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY FOR TWO MILES, AND THEN THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. HE WAITED 20 MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH PERFORMED NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE LOCA LMECHANIC. ONE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,300.

DRIVING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY. CAR STARTS PULLING LEFT AND RIGHT AS IF CAUGHT IN A GROOVE. PULL OFF NEXT EXIT AND NOTICE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AS CAR COMES TO A STOP. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER S WITH 67,000K MILES, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A COMPLETE MELTDOWN. THE PUMP, HYDRAULIC LINES, COOLING FAN AND WIRING HARNESS WERE ALL BURNED OR MELTED. THERE WAS NO SYMPTOM OR INDICATION OF A FAILURE. CAR DROVE AND ACTED "NORMAL" PRIOR TO PARKING IT FOR THE DAY. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, 8 HOURS LATER, NO POWER STEERING. IF IT HAD BEEN IN MY GARAGE WHEN THE SHORT/MELTDOWN OCCURRED, IT MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE. MINIUSA BASICALLY SAID I WAS ON MY OWN DUE TO EXPIRATION OF MY WARRANTY. (60,000). *TR

WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I WAS APPROACHING A CORNER FOR A TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ANOTHER CAR WAS AT THE CORNER AND I ALMOST HIT IT BECAUSE I WASN'T EXPECTING TO HAVE TO MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR. THERE IS NO SET TIME OR LENGTH OF DRIVE FOR THE POWER STEERING TO JUST QUIT. NOW EVEN GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD I CAN SOMETIMES FEEL THE STEERING STIFFEN UP SO I WILL MAKE A TURN TO CHECK AND SURE ENOUGH NO POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE CAR WILL FEEL LIKE IT JUMPS A LITTLE SIDEWAYS AND I'M NOT SURE IF ITS THE POWER STEERING TRYING TO ENGAGE OR WHAT. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO REPLACE THE PUMP YET BUT I TRY NOT TO DRIVE IT AS OFTEN TO DECREASE THE CHANCES OF HITTING SOMETHING OR THE POWER STEERING PUMP GOING OUT ALL OF THE WAY. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE NORMALLY, POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING FAILS CAUSING GREATLY INCREASED EFFORT TO STEER. THIS IS ADDRESSED IN PE10038 BUT THE MODEL YEARS AFFECTED SHOULD INCLUDE 2002 AND 2003 AS THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS WERE THE SAME. I HAVE NOT YET ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS, ONLY HAVE CONFIRMED FLUID IS FULL AND BOTH COOLING FANS OPERATE. CYCLING THE IGNITION KEY BRIEFLY TO THE OFF POSITION WILL CAUSE POWER ASSIST TO RESUME. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S HAD A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT APROX 60 MPH ON AN EXPRESSWAY NEAR BUFFALO, NY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED BY ME AT A COST OF APROX $800.00. *TR

THE UPPER RIGHT HINGE ON THE REAR HATCHDOOR OF MY 2003 MINI SHEARED IN HALF CAUSING THE DOOR TO SPRING OFF AND ALMOST HIT ME ON THE HEAD. IT ALSO POSES THE RISK OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR FLYING OFF WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION POSING A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. BMW CHARGED ME $700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HINGE AND REFUSED TO ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN. WHEN I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOW HAZARDOUS DEFECT. THE FOLLOWING ARE EMAILS EXCHANGED BY ME WITH BMW WHICH QUOTE SOME OF THE INTERNET THREADS ON THIS ISSUE. SEE E.G. HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES/86679-PLEASE-LUBE-REAR-HATCH-HINGES-2.HTML AND HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=2245. MOREOVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR MINI AT THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EMAIL: THE ISSUE IS NOT THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE PART BUT OF A DESIGN DEFECT AND SAFETY FLAW. HINGES ON THE HATCH LID SHOULD NOT BREAK OFF ENDANGERING OWNERS UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE LID ALMOST FELL ON MY HEAD. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND MY DEALER CONFIRMED IT. ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT FOR A LAWSUIT. MOREOVER, A $700 PRICE TAG TO REPLACE A $30 DOLLAR HINGE IS OUTRAGEOUS. THESE HINGES SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH NORMAL USE AND THAT IS ALL IT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TOO. IF YOU LOOK ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MY GUESS IS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THEM AS WELL. THIS HAS COMPLETELY RUINED THE MINI EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND I WILL NOT BE A REPEAT OWNER WITH THAT ATTITUDE. PLEASE READ THEM. AS YOU CAN SEE YOU HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT YOU ARE IGNORING AND PASSING ON TO THE CUSTOMERS. IF I DO NOT RECEIVE SOME SATISFACTION WITH THIS I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. ON AUGUST 28, 2010. THE REAR HATCH DOOR OF MY MINI FELL OFF WHEN BEING OPENED BECAUSE THE HINGE BROKE IN HALF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS BUT FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN WARM CAR IS STARTED. NOT A PROBLEM WHEN CAR IS COLD. REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS FOR CAR TO COOL BEFORE CAR CAN BE STARTED AND SAFELY DRIVEN WITH POWER STEERING RESTORED. WILL BE REPLACING WITH OEM POWER STEERING PUMP. NEW PUMP IS APPROX $600 AND LABOR IS APPROX $150 AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. DEALER ESTIMATE IS APPROX $1300. OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WILL NOT DRIVE CAR DUE TO FEAR THAT POWER STEERING WILL BE LOST WHILE DRIVING THOUGH THIS HAS NOT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS INDICATING AN IMMINENT PROBLEM; IT JUST CUT ASSISTANCE TO STEERING AND FAILED COMPLETELY. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DIFFICULT, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET A REPLACEMENT PS PUMP FOR $820. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MINI BRAND SINCE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES EVEN AT 40KMILES (IN MY CASE, THE CAR HAD 95KMILES WHEN THE PUMP FAILED). THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOES POSE A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE ITS PURCHASE BRAND NEW IN MARCH, 2003. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND STARTING IT UP AFTER HAVING BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR UP TO TWO HOURS THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MINOR, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH A ROUGH AND SURGING IDLE THAT OSCILLATES BETWEEN 1050 RPM DOWN TO 400 RPM THEN BACK UP THEN DOWN WHICH LASTS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE SETTLING DOWN. AS THE VEHICLE HAS AGED THE PROBLEM HAS INTENSIFIED TO THE POINT THAT THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STALLS. THE SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE AS NOTED IN NHTSA ITEM #10009756, SERVICE BULLETIN #110104 (ROUGH IDLE, STALLING). LATELY IT HAS NOW EVEN BEGUN TO OCCUR WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO ALMOST STALL. IF IT WERE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH IMMEDIATE POWER TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN SHOWN THE PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO RECTIFY. THE ONLY INVESTIGATION THEY DO IS TO MAKE SURE THE SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE IS THE LATEST RELEASE. *TR

MY MINI COOPER S HAS LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DRIVEN AND HAS SUSTAINED NO CRASH DAMAGE. HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THE CAR AND HAD FAILURES WITH THE ABS, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. IN ADDITION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD "MUSHROOMING" AND CRACKED FRONT SHOCK TOWER MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR, AND THAT ALONE WOULD COST OVER $1,400 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT HITTING POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS CAUSED THIS. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER, ROADSHOW MINI IN MEMPHIS, TN, STATED THAT THE SHOCK TOWERS AND FRONT BUSHINGS WERE CONSIDERED WEAR ITEMS, AND THAT THEY COULD BE REDAMAGED IMMEDIATELY IF THE CAR CAME IN CONTACT WITH ANOTHER POTHOLE. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS TOLD BY MINI USA THAT NO ENGINEERS OR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES COULD BE CONTACTED, AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD HANDLE ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY UPGRADES AND FIXES OFFERED BY MINI AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NONE. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL AFTERMARKET COMPANIES THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE,. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HE SEES THIS PROBLEM ON 3-4 CARS IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, THAT THERE CAN BE STRUT COLLAPSE OR SUSPENSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, AND THAT MINI SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. FOR NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS TO HAVE RESULTED IN DEFORMED AND CRACKED STRUT TOWERS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND REPRESENTS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I HAVE NEVER OWNED AN AUTOMOBILE THAT HAD STRUT TOWER FAILURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK ON AND OFF. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2003 MINI COOPER (AUTOMATIC) AT 43,000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER, NO PSP PROBLEMS UNTIL A MONTH AGO WHEN SUDDENLY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. ONCE RESTARTED THE PROBLEM STOPPED. JUST TRIED TO SELL THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN OPTED OUT OF THE SALE AFTER INSPECTION AS THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ($7,000+). BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SEEM COMMON WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE NET; BOTH SHOULD BE RECALL ISSUES. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE MINI FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WE MADE A TURN ON OUR ROAD HOME AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL! WE FEEL VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE LIVE ON A WINDY ROAD THAT HAS MANY LARGE REDWOOD TREES ON THE SIDES OF THE ROAD WITH A CREEK DOWN A RAVINE. WE COULD HAVE EASILY HIT ONE OF THOSE TREES HEAD ON. OR IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO TURN THE WHEELS WE COULD HAVE ENDED UP AT THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE IN THE CREEK! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR

2003 MINI COOPERS- POWER STEERING FAILED DURING EXIT FROM NYS THRUWAY-RAN OFF THE RAMP DUE TO UNEXPECTED LOSS OF STEERING POWER. NO DAMAGE OR INJURY- TURNED ENGINE OFF- RESTARTED- POWER STEERING BACK ON. CONDITION HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. *TR

MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED VERY WELL, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, A 100 POINT INSPECTION AT 25,000 MILES, COOLANT FLUSH, BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH, ETC. SHE WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK ON A COUNTY ROAD. AS SHE ROUNDED A CURVE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE FAILURE HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE THIS TIME. SHE COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL, ACCORDING TO HER DESCRIPTION AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING AN ONCOMING CAR. SHE DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND CALLED ME AT WORK. I LEFT WORK AND EXCHANGED CARS WITH HER. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I CALLED THE MINI DEALER, WHICH IS ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY AND THEY CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT VERY COMMON BUT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY SUGGESTED THIS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TRACK ACTIVE FAULT CODES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT BMW WAS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION FROM OTHER MINI OWNERS WHO SHARED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. SOMEONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE INJURED OF KILLED BEFORE BMW IS FORCED TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY ADDRESSING THIS SIGNIFICANT, KNOWN, SAFETY ISSUE. OH AND BY THE WAY, I JUST PICKED MY DAUGHTER'S MINI UP FROM DREYER AND REINBOLD BMW IN INDIANAPOLIS. THE BILL WAS $1200. IRONIC THAT BMW CAN AFFORD TO INVEST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INDY CAR SPONSORSHIP BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS FAILED RENDERING THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUIRKY, BUT I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS DRASTICALLY AND MAKES A VERY AUDIBLE WHIRRING SOUND. THE ONLY OPTION FOR REPAIR IS A COMPLETE NEW PART INSTALL AT THE DEALER COST OF $8,800. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF IDENTICAL STORIES ABOUT THE CVTS ON MINI COOPERS AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT SEEMS FROM RESEARCH THAT THIS PART COMMONLY FAILS AND REPLACING WITH A DEFECTIVE PART AT A COST NEAR NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS IS ABSURD AND DISGUSTING. IT IS COST PROHIBITIVE TO KEEP MY CAR OPERATING AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WORTHY OF RECALL. *TR

MI MINI COOPER 2003 GOT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ,NEED A PART THAT THEY CALL ,ACTUATOR MOTOR,,IS NO WAY TO FIND THAT PIECE ,NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR 8000 $ DOLLARS. MANY MINI COOPERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOBODY CAN DO A RECALL TO BMW. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER WITH FAILING CVT TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DISCONTINUED BY MINI AND SUBSEQUENTLY IS FAILING AT LESS THAN 100K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS ABRUPT AND CAN POSSIBLY LEAVE THE PASSENGER/S STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSULTED WITH MINI OF GREENVILLE , SC THIS WEEK AND THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILING TRANSMISSIONS AND COST TO REPLACE IS APPROXIMATELY $8000. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A TRADE THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE $1000 FOR THE VEHICLE ON A TRADE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE POSTS FROM IRATE OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PREMATURE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS. WITH THE INCREASED FOCUS ON VEHICLE SAFETY MINI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE PREMATURE FAILURES. *TR

MY FRIEND AND I GOT INTO MY 03 MINI COOPER S THIS PAST WEEKEND. WE WERE DRIVING ALONG IL RTE 1 UNTIL I GOT UP TO A 2 WAY STOP. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN BUT I REALIZED I LOST ALL POWER TO MY POWER STEERING UNIT. I BARELY WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN IN ORDER TO AVOID GETTING BROADSIDED BY A DODGE RAM BARRELING AT ME AT 60 MPHS. *TR

I PARKED MY 2003 MINI COOPER S AT WORK, AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS STILL RUNNING. I WAS GOING INTO THE OFFICE GET A WRENCH TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, AND WITHIN 5 MIN, AN EMAIL WAS SENT OUT "2003 MINI COOPER HEAVILY SMOKING IN PARKING LOT." AS SOON AS I GOT OUT THERE, THE FIRE/SMOKE HAS BEEN PUT OUT BY A COOLANT LINE THAT SPLIT OPEN BY THE FIRE AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, I COULD SEE THE POWER STEERING PUMP COMPLETELY BURNT. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND SO FAR THIS IS OVER $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THIS IS NOT A RARE INCIDENCE. IN FACT, IT IS VERY COMMON, AND BMW REFUSES TO RECALL THIS FAULTY DESIGNED PART. I AM JUST SO FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN MY GARAGE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND INVESTIGATE BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN BMW, AS THEY HAVE STATED PUBLICLY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I WILL PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE NEEDED TO HELP THIS INVESTIGATION. THERE IS A MINI COOPER COMMUNITY THAT SHARES THEIR PROBLEMS AND FRUSTRATIONS HERE: HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/STOCK-PROBLEMS-ISSUES/73527-SPONTANEOUS-ENGINE-BAY-FIRES.HTML THE LIST IS ONLY GROWING, AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE A DEATH FOR BMW TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S FAILED, VERY HARD TO STEER ONCE FAILED, NOW I'M HAVING THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN AFTER REPLACING IT LAST YEAR. READ ON THREADS AND OWNERS EVERYWHERE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. HE CONFIRMED THAT WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE FOR A FEW MOMENTS THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF ONCE IT RESTARTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

MINI COOPER POWER STEERING FAILURE. NEED TO MANEUVER VEHICLE TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER AND ON COMING VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED-UP AND DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF FAILED POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY A REPAIR. COSTING 850.00 US DOLLARS. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE

2003 MINI COOPER S. MY WIPER MOTOR DIED IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM, OR SO I THOUGHT. DRIVING WITHOUT THE WIPERS IN HILO, HI WHERE I LIVE WITH 140" A YEAR OF RAIN CAN BE DEADLY WHEN WIPERS DON'T WORK. IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT AFFECTING ALL ORIGINAL 02-06 MINIS. SEE HERE FOR DETAILS. I REPAIRED MINE SIMPLY BY GROUNDING THE WIPER MOTOR TO ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE CAR. I HAD TO DRIVE 3 WEEKS WITHOUT WIPERS BEFORE I COULD FIX THIS. DEALERS CHARGE $600 TO FIX IT AND IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THE MOTOR IS NOT ACTUALLY DEAD. IT IS A POOR, AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY DESIGN. I GUESS I COULD HAVE SPENT A COUPLE THOUSAND RENTING A CAR FOR THAT TIME, OR JUST SPENT $600 RIGHT AWAY AND ANOTHER $500 ON THE CAR TO GET IT FIXED. I TOOK MY CHANCES, SO WILL MANY OTHERS. THERE WERE PLENTY OF TIMES I COULDN'T SEE WELL AND HOPED FOR THE BEST. HERE IS THE SITE WITH LOTS OF INFO ABOUT IT. HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FIRST-GENERATION-FAULTS-FIXES/141234-WIPER-MOTOR-FAILURE-2.HTML HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/1ST-GEAR/83170-MY-WINDSHIELD-WIPER-MOTOR-DIED-IN-A-STORM-AT-NIGHT.HTML. *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING ASSIST IN TRAFFIC I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL CAR.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

MY 2003 MINI COOPER'S CVT TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. THE MINI HAS 75K MILES (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). TOWED THE CAR TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP. HAD THE MODULAR UNIT REPLACED; HOWEVER THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS TOO MUCH. IT COST THE TRUE VALUE OF THE CAR...OVER $8,000 TO REPLACE IT. BMW/MINI COOPER WILL NOT TAKE ANY PART OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ON THESE TYPES OF CARS. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPAIRS THE BROKEN DOWN MINI IS BEING STORED IN A GARAGE BASICALLY ROTTING AWAY. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN GOING STRAIGHT ,AS WELL AS MID-TURN. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. I WAS TOLD I MUST REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2003 MINI COOPER. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. IT WORKS, THEN STOPS. . CUTS OUT MOSTLY DURING TURNS. DANGEROUS! TOLD BY MINI DEALER THAT NO RECALL WAS INVOLVED. PARTS AND LABOR WAS OVER $1200.00 TO REPAIR. NEW POWER STEERING PUMP LASTED 2 YEARS BEFORE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TW

2003 MINI COOPER. 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. CAR TRANSMISSION FLEW APART WHILE DRIVING. *TW

THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED PARTS IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2009. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENT THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM: THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. 4/26/2006 38,492 MILES POWER STEERING FAN SEIZED - REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY 5/03/2006 38, 709 MILES POWER STEERING PUMP FAULTY -REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY 11/19/2009 89,305 MILES POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING RACK AND STEERING SHAFT DEFECTIVE - REPAIR PAID FOR BY CAR OWNER. MECHANIC RETURNED DEFECTIVE PARTS TO MINI COOPER. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE GOING 60 MPH. MANUFACTURER/DEALER WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS (85,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). ESTIMATE TO REPLACE: $9,000. SOLD CAR AS IS AT AUCTION. *TR

TRANSMISSION CVT FAILURE. *TR

COURTESY COPY TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF LETTER FROM KATHLEEN BIDDICK TO MINI USA RE STEERING PUMP SYSTEM OF MINI MODELS MANUFACTURED IN 2003 -2007. *NJ THE SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF STEERING POWER IN A VEHICLE IS A THREAT TO ALL DRIVERS ESPECIALLY IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND OF $1,180.44 TO COVER THE REPAIR OF THE STEERING PUMP SYSTEM ON HER 2003 MINI COOPER. THE STEERING PUMP FAILED BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*JB

2003 MINI COOPER S, 90000 MILES. POWER STEERING WHEEL FAILURE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN MANUALLY, THUS CAUSING PANIC AND REAL DANGER, BECAUSE THE CAR SWERVED OUT OF A TURN. DEALER SAYS IT IS A COMMON ISSUE, AND NEED TO REPLACE THE FAN OR PUMP, REPAIR PRICE $1300. MINI NEEDS TO RECALL THE CAR. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, A FIRE SHORTLY FOLLOWED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT. WAS PHONED. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S PURCHASED NEW. HE STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT IMMEDIATLEY SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. HE PULLED OVER AND FOUND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER HOWEVER HE HAD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 88,000.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

FAILURE OF 2003 MINI COOPER MANUAL TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS BEEN UNDER REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I FIRST NOTICED THE CAR LOSING POWER GOING UPHILL, THEN IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. NEXT MORNING I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO REVERSE, WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AND SOME GEARS COULD NOT BE ENGAGED. AT A STOP LIGHT I BEGAN HEARING A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE, LIKE METAL IN A BLENDER, THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR, I HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. THE DEALER OFFERED NOTHING. MY PRIVATE MECHANIC FOUND METAL SHREDS THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. SAID A BEARING HAD COME LOOSE AND DESTROYED THE INTERIOR OF THE TRANSMISSION, ALL AT 65K MILES. HE ALSO SAID THE ENGINE COULD HAVE FAILED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE ENDANGERING. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT AT 30K MILES. BOTH VERY COSTLY REPAIRS AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREAT. THE REPLACEMENT COSTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION WERE $3K AND THAT WAS FROM A PRIVATE MECHANIC. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS A PLETHORA OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND INFORMATION THAT MINI COOPER KNOWS ABOUT THIS. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR CORPORATE OFFICE WOULD OFFER ANY HELP IN REPLACEMENT COSTS. *TR

DRIVING HOME AS USUAL, WHEN I TURNED TO BACK-IN TO THE DRIVEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY. LEFT CAR OVERNIGHT AND TRIED AGAIN NEXT DAY. FINE THE NEXT DAY, BUT HAPPENED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY. 2003 MCS 31,700 MILES. LOOKING INTO CAUSE OF FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CAN ONLY BE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THERE ARE NO AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS IN THE STATE. THE MECHANIC ESTIMATED THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN $8,000-$9,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF UDDATED 01/14/10.*JB

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 2003 MINI COOPER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION, AT AN EXPENSE OF $ 8,300.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THE CVT DRIVE BELT HAD SHREDDED WHICH SENT METAL THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE, THE ONLY OPTION WAS FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 10/20/09

MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY ONLY GO ABOUT 5 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE THINKS HE HAS IT FIXED AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $8,400. THEY CAN'T REBUILD ONE, THEY CAN'T BUY A REBUILT ONE. THE CAR HAS LOW MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT. I BELIEVE MINI COOPERS HAVE A FLAWED TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO PUT MORE FLAWED TRANSMISSIONS INTO CARS AND WE THE CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING '!@#$%. *TR

OUR MINI COOPER REPEATEDLY STALLED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES. NO FAULT CODE OR CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT EVER APPEARED. UPON TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM AND OUR CONCERNS WERE DISMISSED WITHOUT REMEDY. FINALLY, AFTER BEING IN THE MOUNTAINS ON WINDY ROADS A CLICKING NOISE BEGAN. SINCE NO FAULT OR CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, WE ASSUMED THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE TO BE FROM SOMETHING MINOR AND OPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC, A FIVE MILE DRIVE. SHORTLY BEFORE ARRIVING TO THE MECHANIC, THE MINI UNEXPECTEDLY BECAME QUITE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, UPON WHICH THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ' REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE PUSHED TO THE MECHANIC. AGAIN, NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS A WARNING AND NO FAULT CODES WERE STORED. BMW'S MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVERS. RESEARCH INDICATES BMW IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY BMW OPTED TO NO LONGER USE THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN LATER MODELS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION TO KEEP MINI OWNERS & OTHER DRIVERS SAFE. OURS IS JUST ONE OF MANY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WE'VE RECENTLY LEARNED OF WHILE RESEARCHING THE DISMAL TRACK RECORD OF BMW'S CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN EARLY MINI COOPERS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION AND HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF SERVICE VISITS, REPLACEMENT OF THE CVT IN 2007, AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE CVT AS INOPERABLE. I HAVE ALL INVOICES DETAILING WORK DONE. 10/9/02 - I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MINI COOPER WITH AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FROM BARON BMW IN MERRIAM, KS. 12/02 - MINI USA SENT ME LETTER RE: CHASSIS #TE13495 THAT SOME AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAD BEEN FILLED WITH THE INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FLUSHED AND REPLACED ASAP. 12/27/02 - BARON FLUSHED AND REPLACED FLUID. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD DIED TWO TIMES AND RAN ROUGH. MILEAGE 1,760. 7/2/03-I TOOK MINI IN COMPLAINING "WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE CAR HAS A HARD LURCH" AND BARON'S INVOICE STATES "TEST DROVE CAR AND FOUND IT WAS VERY HARSH GOING INTO GEAR AND LURCHED WHEN IT WAS COLD". 2ND AUTO TRANS CONCERN WAS "CAR HAS ALMOST DIED AT LOW IDLES A FEW TIMES". BARON REPROGRAMMED THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. MILEAGE 6,465. 7/23/07-CUSTOMER GOODWILL PROVIDED BY BARON MINI AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST ALTHOUGH WARRANTY WAS UP. MILEAGE 49,512. 9/11/07-I TOOK MINI IN AGAIN COMPLAINING OF ROUGH IDLE AND CAR WANTS TO DIE AT STOPS. MILEAGE 51,167. 8/13/09- MINI WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR. IT WOULD ONLY DRIVE 15-20 MPH AT UP TO 3,000 RPMS. I CALLED BARON AND WAS TOLD THE CURRENT TRANSMISSION HAD A TWO YEAR WARRANTY (WHICH MADE THIS COMPLAINT 2 YEARS AND A FEW WEEKS PAST WARRANTY) BUT IT WAS POSSIBLE MINI WOULD COVER REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THEY DID NOT. BARON FLUSHED AND FILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID IT RUNS BETTER BUT IT IS NOT FIXED. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE CVT AGAIN. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CVT REPLACED (FOR THE 2ND TIME). MILEAGE 75,558. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT RESULTED FROM STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS. IT IS L-SHAPED AND IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR SYMPTOMS. *TR

TOOK 2003 MINI COOPER S TO PERFORMANCE DRIVING SCHOOL AND HAD POWER STEERING PUMP CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2003 MINI COOPER AND ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS SPRUNG A LEAK. UPON INSPECTION OF THE HYDRAULICS, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH CONTROL ROD WAS MOVING IN A FUNNY WAY. HE SAYS THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO DROP THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM AND THAT REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION ALONE WILL COST ME 1000.00 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE AT THE MOMENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH WENT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ALSO, I AM TOLD THAT IF THE CLUTCH DOES NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL COST ME 1800.00 DOLLARS, WHICH AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER BLEW OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAD JUST ABOUT 37,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERS SHOP. *TR

SPONTANEOUS ENGINE BAY FIRE IN 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 60,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN NORMALLY TO WORK, TURNED OFF, PARKED, LOCKED AND LEFT. UNATTENDED CAR CAUGHT FIRE SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. SEATTLE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO EMERGENCY CALL, BUT FIRE SELF-EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 10 MINUTES. SOOT COVERED ENGINE BAY AND ACRID SMOKE PERMEATED VEHICLE. INSPECTION REVEALED MELTED CONNECTION BETWEEN WIRING HARNESS AND POWER STEERING PUMP, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF PUMP, COOLING FAN, WIRING AND OTHER PARTS. INTERNET COMMUNITIES OF MINI OWNERS CONTAIN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SUDDEN ENGINE BAY FIRES IN 2002 AND 2003 MINI COOPERS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SHORTS LINKED TO FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMPS OR FANS. FREQUENTLY THESE FIRES OCCUR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF. THEY ALWAYS RESULT IN MODERATE VEHICLE DAMAGE AND MAJOR REPAIR COSTS (MINE IS ESTIMATED @ $1,600). OCCASIONALLY THEY RESULT IN TOTAL VEHICLE LOSS AND / OR ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. HAD THIS FIRE OCCURRED IN MY HOME GARAGE AT NIGHT THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC; IF THIS KIND OF INCIDENT (SUDDEN POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE + ELECTRIC FIRE) WERE TO OCCUR ON A FREEWAY AT SPEED IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN FATALITIES. BMW / MINI USA HAS REPORTEDLY QUIETLY REIMBURSED INDIVIDUAL OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED SPONTANEOUS FIRES, BUT HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE PROBLEM -- WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. AS I DISCOVERED WHILE RESEARCHING MY INCIDENT, IF YOU GOOGLE "MINI COOPER FIRE" OR "MINI POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE" YOU GET A RASH OF THESE REPORTS. APPARENTLY NHTSA INVESTIGATED MINI ENGINE BAY FIRES IN 2006-2008 AND DISMISSED THE PROBLEM, ALLUDING ONLY TO THE CHANCE OF SOME "LOCALIZED SMOLDERING." THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE -- MY MINI WAS BILLOWING ACRID BLACK SMOKE AND COULD EASILY HAVE BURNED OUT, TAKING OTHER CARS ON THE PARKING DECK WITH IT. SHOCKING THAT THIS MAJOR, DANGEROUS VEHICLE DEFECT HAS BEEN IGNORED. I AM ONE OF MANY VICTIMS. PLEASE REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION INTO MINI FIRES. THANK YOU. *TR

IRONICALLY, I FIRST LOOKED AT THIS COMPLAINT SITE TWO DAYS AGO AS I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT ITS EXISTENCE FROM THE APRIL 2009 ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS. I FELT GOOD THAT THE TWO MOST FREQUENTLY NAMED COMPLAINTS FOR MY MODEL AND YEAR HAD NOT OCCURRED. SO, TODAY THAT GOOD FEELING ENDED, AS ONE OF THE COMMON OCCURRENCES HAPPENED TO ME - A COINCIDENCE? OR THE MINI GODS REVENGE? TO CONTINUE: I NOTICED THAT AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR, SOMETHING WAS STILL RUNNING FOR A LONG TIME AFTERWARDS. OPENING THE HOOD, I REALIZED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP THAT WAS NOT TURNING OFF, AND KNEW FROM READING THIS SITE, THAT IT WOULD LEAD TO BATTERY FAILURE AT A MINIMUM, AND A FIRE AT WORST CASE. SO, I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE DEALER - HERB CHAMBERS MINI OF BOSTON - AND LEFT IT FOR REPAIR. THE CALL I RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1100 TO REPLACE WAS DEVASTATING. THE MINI HAS ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE FIRST REAL REPAIR NECESSARY FOLLOWING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. GIVEN THAT THERE ALREADY ARE 8 OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE JUST ON THIS COMPLAINT FORUM, I WOULD EXPECT THAT MINI WOULD DO MORE ABOUT WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT COST APPROX 7500.00 THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. I BOUGHT MINE USED. NO DISCLOSURE OF IT DURING THE SALE. IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST BE FLAGGED FOR THE CONSUMERS PROTECTION. DEALERS, MANUFACTURES WILL NOT EVEN DISCUSS IT. IT IS A HORRIBLE SITUATION TO BE IN. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED ON A 2003 MINI COOPER S WITH 51,586 MILES. *TR

I PURCHASED MY '03 MINI COPPER S WITH 49K FROM A HONDA IN MECHANICSBURG, PA DEALER IN AUGUST. IN DECEMBER, I PURCHASED TIRES AND THEN WENT TO A SELF-SERVICE CARWASH AFTERWARD. WHEN I GOT HOME AND BEFORE I PUT IT IN THE GARAGE, I TOOK OUT THE HOSE AND WASHED OFF THE WHEELS AND UNDER THE CAR. DURING THE PROCESS THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STEAM FROM THE WATER HITTING THE MANIFOLD. I PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND LATER WHEN MY WIFE CAME HOME SHE COMMENTED ON THE SMOKE AND MIST IN THE GARAGE (IT WAS QUITE COLD THAT NIGHT.) THE NEXT DAY WHEN I PULLED THE CAR OUT, THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND I ONLY DROVE IT OUT THE DRIVEWAY AND ON THE ROAD BEFORE I REALIZED THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT. I DROVE IT ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE DEALER AFTER CHECKING FUSES AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEYOND MY MECHANICAL SKILLS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY (SHORTED OUT). INSURANCE ADJUSTERS FROM HONDACARE (EXTENDED WARRANTY), STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY (MY COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE) AND THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THEIR CONJECTURE WAS THAT I HAD PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE HOSE WHEN I SPRAYED UNDER THE CAR. HONDA CARE PAID $1999 FROM EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BATTERY, POWER STEERING HARNESS AND FAN. A TOTAL OF $2700 ADDITIONAL FROM STATE FARM COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE (HONDACARE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER HARNESS, TOWING AND DIAGNOSTIC WORK FROM THE MINI DEALER IN MARYLAND, ETC BECAUSE THEY WERE THE RESULT OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP FIRE); STATE FARM INSURANCE WAS EXCEPTIONAL AND COVERED THE DIFFERENCE WITH COMPREHENSIVE COVERED. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE REPORTS INCLUDING PICTURES FROM ADJUSTERS AT HONDACARE AND FROM STATE FARM INSURANCE. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S HAS 41,000 MILES. ON 2/2/09, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I HAD A TOUGH TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN CONTROL. I WENT HOME, RE-STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONAL. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR ON 2/5/09, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES WERE REPLACED. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IT FELL TO PIECES AT 61,000 MILES AFTER IMPECCABLE ENGINE MAINTENANCE FOR NO APPARENT REASON THEN I FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY MINI OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT THE SAME TIME APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS AFTER BUYING THE MINI SCAM THAT THEY SELL THIS FAULTY CAR JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE TRANSMISSION (CVT TRANSMISSION) FIRST FAILED AT AROUND 40,000 MILES AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. SINCE THEN EVERY FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN THE 4TH TIME THAT THE DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND STILL FAILS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL, NOW MY CAR HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL BAD TO SELL THE CAR KNOWING I AM JUST PASSING THE PROBLEM ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT NO CHARGE AS I AM COVERED BY WARRANTY HOWEVER IF I SELL IT, THE NEXT BUYER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED AND WILL FACE ENDLESS FIX AND MONEY TO WASTE, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT'S $8000 EACH TIME TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. *TR

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A 3 YEAR 36K WARRANTY 6/26/03. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND RECEIVING RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE THROUGH THE DEALER, THE CAR REQUIRED REPAIR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH WAS FROZEN IN THE RECLINED POSITION. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND 10,481 MILES AFTER A DEALER MAINTENANCE CHECK, THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $886.60. AT THE SAME SERVICE VISIT, I WAS TOLD THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1600. MY MALE FRIENDS WHO ARE MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND/OR ENGINEERS SAID THAT ONE WOULD NEED TO BE DOING STUNTS IN A CAR TO NEED THAT KIND OF REPAIR AT 50,293 MILES. IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHY THE INDICATOR ONLY TELLS WHEN BRAKES ARE TOTALLY SHOT, OR WHY THE MOST RECENT SERVICE CHECK HAD NOT SHOWN WORN PADS AND DISKS. LATER, AT 53,007 MILES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED AND THAT COST $497.51 TO REPLACE. AT 62,516 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DIED WHICH COST $1173.58 TO REPLACE. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOES NOT WORK AND LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH THAT REPAIR WILL COST. NOW AT 69K, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. MY PRESENT MECHANIC (CHEAPER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN DEALERSHIP) SAYS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WITH A REMANUFACTURED SYSTEM WILL BE >$4000. THIS IS AN OUTLANDISH AMOUNT OF REPAIR AND REPAIR COST FOR A $19,000 CAR WITH 70K MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD 2 PREVIOUS HONDAS THAT WERE CHEAPER THAN THE MINI AND NEVER NEEDED A CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. MY SON DROVE MY $14,000 '95 HONDA CIVIC UNTIL LAST MONTH AND IT HAD 200K MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MINI, OR BMW FOR THAT MATTER, BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE. I WILL BE SURE TO DISCOURAGE OTHERS FROM BUYING ONE. I HOPE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS FORMED. *TR

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) BROKE WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, DEALER SERVICE ONLY. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 54K. *TR

MY CAR'S RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THIS ARM PREVENTS THE TIRE FROM SWINGING SIDEWAYS. LUCKY FOR ME, I WAS GOING SLOWLY AT THE TIME. THE CONTROL ARM CONSISTS OF TWO 1/4" PIECES OF METAL WITH HOLES IN THEM AT EVENLY SPACED POINTS. BOTH OF THE METAL ARMS WERE BROKEN IN LINE WITH THE HOLES THAT WERE PART OF THE MANUFACTURED DESIGN. I PAID $1900 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS(NOW CALLED ZURICH) AT MINI OF CONCORD, CALIFORNIA. CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT IS LISTED AS COVERED. THEIR REASON FOR NOT COVERING IT IS BECAUSE IT HAS A SLIGHT BEND IN IT (I DON'T SEE IT) AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THAT IT EVENTUALLY BROKE. THE METAL THAT MAKES UP THIS ARM IS NO MORE THAN 1/4" THICK: POORLY MADE, ESPECIALLY WHEN COUPLED WITH THESE HOLES THAT ARE IN IT. THIS PART SHOULD BE MADE TO WITHSTAND IMPACT. TO ME IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I AM APPALLED THAT NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT I BOUGHT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM WILL PAY FOR IT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE GONE FROM A MINI LOVER TO ONE WHO WILL SELL IT AFTER I'M ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. I AM CURRENTLY PRICE COMPARING IN PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS. *TR

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR 2003 MINI COOPER S. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER SON WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING HIS MINI COOPER S BACK IN JULY 2008. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HER SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED RECALL 03V086000 AND WANTED TO KNOW COULD THE RECALL HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTORY. *JB

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 80000 MILES ON IT AND THE CVT FAILED COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GET A NEW REPLACEMENT WITH AN "UPDATED" 2005 MODEL WHICH I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FROM 2 PLACES $8000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT WHY HAVE THEY NOT CONTACTED ME? PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS. *TR

SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT AND LOCKED INSIDE OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S BECAUSE THE CABLES INSIDE THE DOOR FROZE. HUSBAND HAD TO PULL ME OUT OF THE CAR VIA THE DRIVER'S WINDOW BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY OUT. ABLE TO INITIALLY GET IN AND OUT OF CAR BUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE DOORS FROZE AND I WAS STUCK. TALKED TO MINI USA AND DEALERSHIP AND BOTH SAID NEVER HEARD OF IT EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS BLOGS AND COMPLAINTS EXIST FOR MINI COOPER S MADE BEFORE 04/2004. VERY WORRIED IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND ME AND MY UNBORN CHILD NEED TO GET OUT. ALSO HAVE HAD MY TWO AND FOUR YEAR OLD GIRLS IN THE CAR WITH ME. FORTUNATELY DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY WERE PRESENT. *TR

BATTERY FAILURE. BATTERY HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE CAR BRAND NEW IN FEB, 2003. ON EACH OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HAVING GIVEN NO WARNING. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2005 AT 26,000 MI., THE SECOND IN 2007 AT 51,000 MI., THE THIRD IN 2008 AT 68,000 MI. EACH FAILED BATTERY WAS A MANUFACTURER'S BRAND (MINI). *TR

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS ARE STUTTERING WHEN I TRY TO ROLL THEM UP OR DOWN. THIS IS WHEN I AM EVEN ABLE TO GET THEM TO WORK. FOUND THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT, THEY WON'T WORK AT ALL!! MEANING I AM HAVING TO WAIT FOR IT TO COOL DOWN TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN IF I AM LUCKY AND HAVE ON ONE OCCASION GOT STUCK IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR DOOR HANDLE ALSO WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND I COULDN'T OPEN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I HAD A CHILD WITH ME. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND JUST GOT MY DOOR REPAIRED AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES A DRIVE THROUGH, OR AT MY PREVIOUS APT YOU HAD TO ENTER A CODE TO GET INTO THE GATED COMMUNITY AND I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR TO DO THIS, AND I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND IT GETS VERY COLD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DUE TO MANY FORUMS AND OTHER MINI OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES! FROM FORUMS SHOWS THAT EVEN REPLACING THE MOTOR WON'T FIX THE ISSUE, WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!! THIS NEEDS TO A RECALL ONCE AGAIN, CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP GETTING THIS FIXED AND DISHING OUT MONEY, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE A KID WITH ME FROM TIME TO TIME. UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

AIR BAG CHECK LIGHT IS ON. NO AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED, NO CRASH WAS INVOLVED. THIS IS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER WHICH SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. IF NOT REPAIRED AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE MUFFLER HAVE ROTTED. UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE HORN HAVE ALSO ROTTED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,600.

THE CVT FAILED IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER AT 67,000 MILES. THE REPAIR COST OFFERED BY DEALER STARTED AT 7400 THEN WHEN TOLD I HAD READ ABOUT NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE COST BECAME 5900. ALSO FOUND OUT THE COMPANY STOPPED USING THIS TRANSMISSION IN 07 MODELS DUE TO PROBLEMS. NEED RE-CALL AND OR REIMBURSEMENTS. *TR

FAILED CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS LOCKED AND ENGINE DIED; COULD NOT MANUALLY MOVE SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. MILEAGE WAS AROUND 12,000 ABOVE WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $7200 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION - NO COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR, SO TURNED THE CAR BACK TO MANUFACTURER AS A VOLUNTARY REPO. THIS WAS DEVASTATING. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE ALSO REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL PAN LEAK. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

CVT TRANSMISSION ON 2003 MINI COPPER FAILED AT 87,000 MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE IS QUOTED BY THE DEALER AT $7400. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TO THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

THE ONLY EVENTS LEADING TO THIS PROBLEM WERE NORMAL, EVERYDAY DRIVING AND ROUTINE, FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICE. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO HAVE INITIATED AT THE COOLING FAN FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP. WHEN THE FAN SEIZES, THE PUMP OVERHEATS CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE PUMP ELECTRONICS. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE PUMP TO RUN NONSTOP EVEN WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF AND THE KEY OUT. THIS IN TURN RUNS THE BATTERY DOWN AND CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO A FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE POWER STEERING PUMP COOLING FAN AS WELL AS THE BATTERY SINCE IT'S USABLE LIFE WAS DIMINISHED FROM THE EXCESSIVE DRAW. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND NONE OF THIS WAS OFFERED AS A WARRANTY ITEM. *TR

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE LIGHTS FOR THE FAN AND TEMPERATURE REMAIN ON BUT NO AIR BLOWS COLD OR HOT. SOMETIMES IT GOES BACK ON BY ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. SOMETIMES SLAPPING THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MIDDLE COLUMN (WHERE THE CONTROLS AND RADIO ARE) MAKES IT COME BACK ON. AND SOMETIMES IT STAYS OFF FOR A DAY OR TWO BEFORE SPONTANEOUSLY COMING BACK TO LIFE. ITS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE A HARDCOVER BOOK WITH ME AT ALL TIMES TO DO THE SLAPPING. I LIVE IN AUSTIN AND THE CLOSEST DEALER IS IN SAN ANTONIO, NEARLY 90 MILES AWAY. THE TWO TIMES I DROVE THERE WITH THE PROBLEM, IT WORKED FOR THEM. I EVEN HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS AN ISSUE BACK WHEN THE CAR HAD 34,000 MILES. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL GO OUT. CONSIDERING THE TEMPERATURE IN AUSTIN HAS HIT 100 NEARLY 50 TIMES THIS SUMMER, DO YOU BLAME US FOR NOT WANTING TO DRIVE THE CAR. PLEASE OFFER US SUGGESTIONS TO HAVE MINI USA PAY FOR THIS. ITS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. THE 90 MINUTE DRIVE TO SAN ANTONIO IS HOT AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE AC WILL MISBEHAVE ONCE WE GET THERE. GROUND BREAKING ON THE AUSTIN MINI DEALERSHIP IS ON HOLD SO WE'RE AT THE MERCY OF THE SAN ANTONIO DEALERSHIP. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER, 66,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. THE COST IS GOING TO BE 8,500.00. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY MINI-COOPER ONCE WHEN IT WAS IN WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, ONCE AGAIN, AND IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND I PAID 3000$ TO HAVE IT FIXED AND ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS IN WARRANTY AND MINICOOPER FIXED IT. THIS CAR WAS A LEMON AND MINI NEVER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2003 BRAND NEW AND HAD COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT WHEN IN FOR REPAIRS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FELT ODD. IT WOULD JERK AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 5 AND 10. THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE CVT AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACCUSTOMED TO THE WAY I DRIVE. IN 2006 MY HUSBAND WAS GIVING BLOOD IN MANCHESTER, NH AND WHILE HE WAS DOING THAT I WENT TO THE MALL FOR A FEW HOURS. AS I WAS RETURNING TO PICK HIM UP I CAME TO A YELLOW LIGHT THAT I COULD NOT MAKE IT THROUGH. I STOPPED THE CAR, LIKE NORMAL NOT A HARD STOP, AND HEARD A CLANK NOISE ALMOST AS IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GO AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN EXCEPT MY RPMS WOULD GO UP. I WAS ON A SLIGHT HILL AND BEGAN TO COAST BUT I WASN'T SURE IF I WAS COASTING OR IF THE CAR WAS JUST GOING REALLY SLOW, UNTIL I STARTED IN AN UPHILL AND THE CAR STOPPED. I TRIED TO TURN OF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON, CRAZY LOGIC THAT SOMETIMES DOES THE TRICK, AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I PUSHED THE CAR INTO A DRIVEWAY AS I WAS ON A 2 LANE ROAD AND BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND CALLED AAA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MINI OF PEABODY. WHEN THEY CALLED ON MONDAY THEY SAID THAT THE CVT HAD FAILED, THEY FOUND THE CHAIN AND LINKS IN THE OIL PAN AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED HOW MUCH THE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE AND THEY TOLD ME PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $7700. WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT I TALKED TO THE SA ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEY'RE CVT'S AT 60K MILES. HE SAID HE WOULD TALK TO THE MANAGER AND CALL BACK. HE CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT HE TALKED TO THE MANAGER AND SPOKE WITH MINI USA AND THEY WOULD COME HALF THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT BRINGING IT TO $3850. I WENT TO PICK IT UP AND IT FELT LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CAR. THERE IS NO JERKINESS AT SLOW SPEEDS SO I'M CONVINCED THAT I HAD A DUD TRANSMISSION ALL ALONG. *TR

ON 9/2/08 I BROUGHT MY 2003 MINI COOPER TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I WAS HEARING A NOISE FROM THE FRONT THAT CLOCKED AT LOW SPEED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD CV JOINT AND ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER TO VERIFY AND GIVE ME A ESTIMATE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE IT WAS DETERMINED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE WAS $7613.00 PLUS TAX. I DROVE HOME AND SPENT SOME TIME RESEARCHING THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE MINI COOPERS AND FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. A LOOK AT SEVERAL FORUMS FOR MINI'S SHOWS POSTINGS OF PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO MINE IN COOPER MODELS WITH MILEAGES FROM 34,000 TO 113,000 ALL WITH CVT TRANSMISSIONS. THE REPLACEMENT COSTS WERE SIMILAR TOO. THERE WERE MANY COMMENTS FROM FORUM USERS TO AVOID BUYING A USED MINI COOPER WITH A CVT, "AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE" WAS ONE COMMENT. MINI NO LONGER USES THIS TRANSMISSION. MAYBE THE FAILURES MADE THEM LOOK TO ANOTHER SOURCE, I DO NOT KNOW. I ALSO CONTACTED A PERSON WHO IS GATHERING NAMES, 50 SO FAR, TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MINI TO TRY AND RECOUP THE MONEY SPENT REPAIRING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THAT IS JUST 50 PEOPLE WHO KNEW HOW TO CONTACT HER TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST. AS OF RIGHT NOW THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THEM. THERE MUST BE MORE, AND 50 TRANSMISSIONS IS ALOT OF MONEY. IF A INVESTIGATION IS DONE BY THE NHTSA AND A RECALL IS INITIATED THEN MAYBE THESE PEOPLE CAN BE REIMBURSED BY MINI. I FIND IT UNUSUAL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE WITH 81,500 MILES AND MOST COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ HAVE A AVERAGE FAILURE MILEAGE AT 60,000. MINIS WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE MINI DEALER HAS MADE A EFFORT TO SHARE THE EXPENSE WITH ME AND IN GOOD FAITH WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR 1/2 PRICE. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION YET. THE VEHICLE HAS A TRADE-IN VALUE OF $10,000, SO SPENDING ALMOST $4000.00 TO REPAIR A OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART IS CRAZY. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) FAILED. IT WILL COST $8000 (MINI/BMW DEALER QUOTE) TO REPLACE. I NOTICED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET MANY RECOMMENDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING BLOGS ABOUT MINI COOPERS GOING ON FIRE SINCE I OWNED ONE, AND I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME. WELL, I HAD JUST GOTTEN BACK HOME FROM SCHOOL WHEN I SMELL SOMETHING LIKE WIRING BURNING IN MY CAR, SO I KILLED THE ENGINE AND OPENED THE HOOD. POWER STEERING STILL RUNNING AND SMOKING, SO I CALLED MY DAD TO HELP ME. HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STOPPED THE EPS PUMP FROM BEING CONSUMED ON FIRE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, THE BMW-MINI FIRM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT LET THEIR CLIENTS SUFFER THE AFTERMATH. THIS IS SURELY A RECALL, NO ONE HAS DIED YET, THANKS GOD, BUT LET'S BE SERIOUS FOLKS. SINCE NEW PUMP AT DEALER IS $650.00 CALLED JUNK YARDS AND PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND IF AVAILABLE JUNK YARDS CHARGE VERY CLOSE TO A NEW ONE FOR A USED ONE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACQUIRE ONE ON MY STUDENT STATUS, SO I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE TO GET TO SCHOOL; DAD HAS TO DROP ME OFF FOR NOW. *TR

ON AUG. 9, 2008, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. AS I DROVE IT, IT LOOSENED UP. THE NEXT DAY, AUG. 10, THE SITUATION WORSENED--EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THEN STARTED, THE STEERING TIGHTENED. THERE WAS NO LOOSENING UP AT ALL. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL PEP BOYS TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY DIAGNOSED A POSSIBLE PSP FAILURE. THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AS ONLY MINI HAS THE SCHEMATICS FOR THIS REPAIR. I CALLED THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN PEABODY, MA FIRST THING MONDAY AND GOT AN APPT. FOR TODAY, AUG. 14. SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE, I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN NECESSARY. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WAS FINE. OTHER TIMES, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAULTY PSP TODAY. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED A COMPLETE FAILURE. I'VE OWNED SEVERAL CARS WITH MORE MILEAGE ON THEM THAN THIS ONE (IT CURRENTLY HAS 60K AND IS FIVE YEARS OLD) AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PSP PROBLEMS, NEVER MIND AN OUTRIGHT FAILURE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY MINI COOPER CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 67K MILES ( OUT OF WARRANTY). TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TO MY HOME, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND HAD TO CHANGE TO THE SLOW LANE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER DOING MUCH SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVE CHAIN COMPONENT THAT SHOULDN'T GO OUT AT 67K. THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE FLAWED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THEY DO NOT PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO THE NEWER MODELS. ALSO IT SEEMS, EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY MINI'S GET TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED; WITH THE OWNER ONLY HAVING TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THE OWNER CAUSES A "STINK" OR ALLUDES TO MAKING PROBLEMS FOR MINI. IF THE MANUFACTURER REALLY BELIEVED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WERE NOT FAULTY, I BELIEVE THEY WOULD STICK TO THEIR POSITION WITH ALL CUSTOMERS, INSTEAD OF MAKING EXCEPTIONS. MINI SHOULD BE ORDERED TO RECALL CARS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN IT WENT OUT, AND I FREAKED OUT. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT BACK UP, AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHERE IT WOULD KICK ON EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, AND THEN IT WENT OUT FOR GOOD. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR AROUND $1000 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. THE ONLY GOOD THING, IS THAT IT HAS GREATLY STRENGTHENED MY ARM MUSCLES... *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY WHEN SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP IN MY CAR. I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THESE LIGHTS WERE: LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LOW BRAKE PADS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, & ABS BREAK LIGHT. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, THEY STILL WERE LIT UP. I AM NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS AS I WASN'T DRIVING ERRATICALLY, JUST NORMAL. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY EXACTLY THEY ARE ON, HOWEVER I FIGURE IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WHEEL AND TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD RANGE FROM $3,000 - $5,000. THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WERE THE STEERING, BRAKES, SUSPENSION, AND SHOCKS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

COMPLETE AND INSTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE ARM STRENGTH TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR

PURCHASED 2002 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NTSB SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINI'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPIRATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NTSB AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR

PURCHASED 2003 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS DIDN'T WORK DUE TO COMPUTER CODE ISSUES, SO CAR TOWED TO MINI OF TOWSON TWICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD CORRECT ISSUES, BUT EACH TIME DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO FIX WITH NEW TRANSMISSION FROM THEM AT $7800. TRIED TRADING CAR TO THEM FOR NEW MINI, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED ME $4000 FOR THE CAR, SAYING THEIR COST TO FIX WAS STILL $6000. LOCAL SHOP FINALLY GAVE UP, REFUNDING MY DEPOSIT AND RETURNING CAR WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY DRIVES IN LOW GEAR AT 20 MPH. NOW HAVE MINI IN MY GARAGE (WITH BALANCE ON CAR LOAN) THAT SHOULD BE WORTH $10,000 BUT IS UNUSABLE. MINI IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW (NEW CARS HAVE DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION), WHICH IS UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED, AS THEY SAY. NETSCAPE SHOULD ORDER RECALL OF THESE CARS AND REPAIR AT MINE'S COST. I HAVE INFORMED MY CONGRESSMAN BROTHER ABOUT THIS ISSUE (HE SITS ON HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE) - HE IS AWAITING WORD ON HOW NETSCAPE AND MINI RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT (OBVIOUSLY SHARED MY MANY OTHERS). THANK YOU. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALERS STATES IT WOULD COST SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND FIX. WITH THE CAR ONLY WORTH DOUBLE THAN THAT IT IS AN SHAMEFUL ACT ON MINI FOR DOING THIS TO CUSTOMERS. SOUNDS OF RATTLING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, DEALER STATES IT IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OF ANY SORT. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2008. LUCKILY IN MASSACHUSETTS THEY HAVE A LAW REQUIRING WARRANTIES FOR ALL USED CARS FOR X NUMBER OF MILES/MONTHS DEPENDING ON MILEAGE AT TIME OF SALE AND ALL THAT. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE MUFFLER RE-WELDED INTO PLACE WHERE ITS MOUNTS FAILED. THE ONLY REASON IT DIDN'T FALL OFF IS BECAUSE MINI INCLUDED A SAFETY "CATCH" BAR FOR WHEN/IF THIS HAPPENS. BUT MY BIG PROBLEM NOW IS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS GONE OUT; IT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY. THE REPAIR COULD BE DONE OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP BUT I'M AFRAID TO TAKE A GERMAN MADE MACHINE OF THIS QUALITY TO A CHOP-SHOP AND HOPE THEY CAN GET IT DONE. I CALLED A VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNSURE THEY KNEW HOW TO DO THE REPAIR. *SHIVER* MINI IN BOSTON WANTS $900-1000.00 TO DO THE REPAIR AS THE PART IS ABOUT $800 AND THE TIME INVOLVED WILL BE ABOUT 2 HOURS AT $125 PER HOUR. PRAY FOR ME, PLEASE! *TR

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AS I TURNED INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING THE VEHICLE TO CREVIER AUTO IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING, CREVIER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE VEHICLE. ON MONDAY, JUNE 30, AFTER MUCH CONSTERNATION, CREVIER FINALLY LOCATED THE VEHICLE AS THEY HAD IT ON THEIR PREMISES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY. TUESDAY, JULY 1, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON THE 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME. *TR

1. THE MALFUNCTION HAPPENS SPONTANEOUSLY 2. THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE STIFF PLACING ME OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVING/ON THE ROAD IN DANGER DUE TO THE RELUCTANCE OF THE WHEEL TO TURN. 3. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO MONETARY SUPPORT BUT INSTEAD TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT TO REPLACE IT AND ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME $1000 DOLLARS IN CASH. INSTEAD I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGED $700. A RIDICULOUS PRICE TO PAY FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN FIRST GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO RANDOMLY MAKE WHIRLING NOISES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT EXPLAIN WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY REPAIRED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A SHUTTER, THEN A LOSS OF POWER AND SMOKE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. I TURNED MOTOR OFF AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK. ONCE STOPPED, I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. SAW MORE SMOKE AND SPARKS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I THEN SAT AND STARTED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD SCOOP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND UPON OPENING IT, NOTICED A FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE SUPERCHARGER. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAME, SO I CALL 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SITE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT BY THEN THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. ALLSTATE CALLED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE MINI COOPER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY LONGER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME AND CALLED FOR HELP. WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY HOME. COME TO FIND OUT, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION. THEY NOTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT MINI TRIED EXPERIMENTING WITH. I'VE READ MANY STORIES WHERE MINI CARS JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MANY MINI TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN GIVING OUT AROUND 70,000 TO 80,000 MILES WHICH IS UNORTHODOX FOR A TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS APPROX 8,000. *TR

MY CAR WAS PARKED AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 20 MILES OR SO. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF BEING PARKED, MY OFFICEMATE RAN INTO THE OFFICE SAYING MY CAR WAS SMOKING. IT WAS ACTUALLY ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT IS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I NEED TO REPLACE IT, THE FAN, AND MOST OF THE WIRING AROUND THE PART. RIGHT NOW, I'M TRYING TO FIND A WIRE FOR HIM THAT MINI WILL NOT GET HIM. IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING CORRECTED. *TR

MY CVT IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER FAILED AT 85000 MILES.. SUDDENLY AND IT SEEMS A RARER LARGE PERCENT ARE FAILING. WITH AN AVERAGE REPLACEMENT PRICE OF $7000.. FOR A CAR THAT COST $21,000.. NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL LIKE THIS.!! CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER.. APPRO 1.4 MILES AWAY AND WE WERE GIVEN A LIFT HOME... APPROX 24 MILES AWAY. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE REPAIR COST WILL BE BUT RESEARCH GAVE ME THE NUMBER ALREADY OF $7000. TO BE HONEST.. I CANT AFFORD THAT !!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, SHE COULD STILL HEAR THE MOTOR FAN RUNNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. ALSO, ALL OF THE WINDOWS ON HER VEHICLE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN DEACTIVATED THE CONVENIENCE POWER SYSTEM FOR THE POWER WINDOWS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

2 TRANSMISSIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1 1/2 YEARS. 1ST TRANS WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2006 AFTER EXPERIENCING GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. ON FRIDAY MAY 2, 2008 HEARD A POP WHILE TURNING LEFT AND EXPERIENCE THE GRINDING NOISE. DEALER NOW STATES THAT IT'S THE TRANSMISSION AND WANT $5,000 TO REPLACE. I COMPLAINED THAT THIS IS THE SECOND ONE IN 1 1/2 YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT A CALL WAS PLACED TO THE ENGINEER AND WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE ON WHETHER THEY WILL COVER THE COSTS. *TR

CVT FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES DEALER ESTIMATES COST AT $8,400 TO REPLACE (THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION). *TR

OVERHEATING OF POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 MINICOOPER. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED ON MY MINI IN ADDITION TO THE COOLING FAN AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PUMP. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH ALL MINI COOPERS MADE BETWEEN 2002 AND 2006. IT IS A POOR DESIGN THAT RESULTS IN AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT WILL ONLY REPEAT ITSELF BECAUSE THE REPAIR DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE OF PLACEMENT OF THE PUMP RIGHT OVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT I HAS ALSO ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS RESULTED IN FIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND THE ENGINE RESPONSE SEEMED SLUGGISH. CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND, HE SAID IT'S EITHER THE SPARK PLUGS OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. BOOK APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 83,000KM. MINI COOPER HAS SAID THAT I NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION, BEING JUST OFF WARRANTY BY 3,000KM I WAS QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $9,000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER USES A CVT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 75,000 MILES. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY FAILED BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED A TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT AND ONLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. HAD I NOT TAKEN IT IN I COULD HAVE LOST THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS OF VEHICLES LIKE MINE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USED IN THESE CARS IS UNRELIABLE (I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED USING IT AFTER 2004 OR 2005). THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE ABOUT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME WHOSE OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED FAILURE. CVT TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) IN 2003 MINI COOPER. FIRST ONE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD SELL ME ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR SOLD FOR $22K NEW, TRANSMISSION COSTS $8500 TO REPLACE. SO THAT'S $17000 WORTH OF TRANSMISSIONS 4 YEARS (ITS BEEN SITTING FOR THE LAST YEAR WHILE I STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS). I DON'T THINK THEIR IDEA OF BUYING ANOTHER CAR TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION WAS A GOOD IDEA. *TR

MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 65K MILES ON IT. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, MY POWER STEERING FAILED. MY RESERVOIR IS FULL, AND I HAVE YET TO FIND A GARAGE WHO IS WILLING AND/OR ABLE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM (HAVING ALREADY STOPPED AT 3 TODAY). *TR

I WILL BE INSTALLING WHAT WILL BE THE THIRD MANUAL 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION IN MY MINI. SAME PROBLEM, SEEMS TO BE THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING IS FAILING LIKELY DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. I HAVE RECORDS OF ALL SERVICE AND CHECK IT REGULARLY AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THE BEARING IS APPARENTLY NOT GETTING A PROPER SUPPLY OF FLUID. PROBLEM NUMBER TWO, MY POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED ON ME ONCE. IT EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE HOSES BASICALLY GOT TOO HOT AND BLEW UP. I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT TO A SHOP WITHOUT ANY FIRE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE POWER STEERING FAN CONTINUED TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF, NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PUMP THIS TIME WHICH COST ME $500 INSTALLED WITH A REMANUFACTURED PUMP. THIRD, I HAVE HAD TO PUT THREE WINDSHIELDS IN THE CAR. NONE OF THESE REPAIRS WERE WARRANTED! MINI NEEDS TO SUCK IT UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE SHODDILY MADE CARS, THEY HAVE MADE THEIR MONEY AND DON'T CARE TO HELP WITH ANYTHING. I AM A LOYAL BMW CUSTOMER BUT I THINK I WILL STICK WITH THE OLDER MODELS NOW AS THEY AREN'T IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON AND FIND PARTS FOR. GOD KNOWS I WILL NOT PAY 23 GRAND FOR THIS NIGHTMARE AGAIN. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE (POWER) WINDOW OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S (50K MI) FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE IN AN UP POSITION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PROVES INCONVENIENT, TO SAY THE LEAST, PARTICULARLY WHEN ENTERING/EXITING PARKING GARAGES AND TOLL BOOTH STATIONS. MY MECHANIC WILL REPLACE THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR FOR $600. GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF GROUSING I'VE SEEN ON THIS SUBJECT, I SHOULD THINK THAT BMW SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT. *TR

WITHOUT NOTICE, THE BATTERY DIED. UPON INSTALL OF A NEW BATTERY, A FAN STARTED RUNNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING PUMP AND STEERING PUMP FAN HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT SAID I NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I LAST HAD IT SERVICED. I CONTACTED CORPORATE SERVICES WHO INFORMED ME THAT I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A GOODWILL WARRANTY EXTENSION PROVIDED I TOOK TO THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE DEALER WHERE I LAST HAD IT SERVICED. THE SERVICE DEALER, AND CORPORATE RELATIONS, WOULD NOT PROVIDE A GOODWILL EXTENSION BECAUSE THEY MAINTAINED THAT MY MECHANIC CAUSED THE STEERING PUMP TO FAIL. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE PARTS FOR ABOUT $1900 FOR A NEW PUMP AND $140 FOR A NEW FAN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, INCLUDING INFORMATION THE DEALER TOLD MY MECHANIC, THIS FAILURE IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER MINI MODELS AND THE DEALERS KEEP ADDITIONAL PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR VEHICLES AS THEY COME IN. ADDITIONALLY, I READ THAT MINI SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THIS COMPONENT TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT NEVER INFORMED PRIOR OWNERS OF THIS CHANGE. MOREOVER, I ALSO READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH MINI DURING THE INITIAL 50,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP, AND IN SOME CASES THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP FAN HAS CAUSED ENGINE FIRES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. *TR

1 - DRIVING NORMALLY - HEARING NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD GETTING LOUDER 2 - DROVE TO MECHANIC WHO TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO VERIFY NOISE WAS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE DIFFERENTIAL WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION - THE CAR WOULD STILL DRIVE AND SHIFT PROPERLY. (THE GRINDING NOISE IS THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION CASING) 3- LOOKING FOR AFTER MARKET PARTS TO REPAIR. CURRENT ESTIMATE FROM DEALER FOR PARTS ALONE IS $7500. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY (NO WARNING) WHILE DRIVING, MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DANGEROUS. *TR

REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE IN 10 MONTHS IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER. I BOUGHT IT USED IN MAY, 2006. JANUARY AND OCT 2007 HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED. 18,000 MILES BETWEEN THE TWO REPAIRS. *TR

FIRST POWER STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED AROUND 31,000 MILES, IN THE FORM OF A SLIGHT VIBRATION. SINCE THE 50,000 MILES MARK, POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON INNUMERABLE OCCASIONS, FREQUENTLY 5 OR 6 TIMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AND WHILE DRIVING AND TAKING SHARP TURNS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, TURNING IGNITION ON AND OFF TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. OTHER POWER FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AS WELL, SUCH AS POWER LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS, SOMETIMES LOCKING YOU IN THE CAR (DOOR LATCH MECHANISM IS ALSO UNPREDICTABLY FAULTY AT THE SAME TIME, RESULTING IN BEING POTENTIALLY LOCKED IN WITHOUT ANY MEANS TO EXIT THE CAR-THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS). THE POWER STEERING IS NOW STAYING ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, AND AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY IS BEING DISCHARGED. BASED ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION, THIS IS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHES ON FIRE. I AM NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE MY CAR IS AT RISK OF SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING ON FIRE, AND MY LOCKS AND WINDOWS FREQUENTLY UNEXPECTEDLY MALFUNCTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONS, POTENTIALLY LOCKING ME INTO MY CAR, WITH A STEERING PUMP THAT WILL NOT SHUT OFF AND THREATENS TO CATCH ON FIRE. CATCH ON FIRE WHILE I'M LOCKED INTO MY CAR... *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES, 4 YEARS. MINI USA AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF THIS FAILURE AND REFUSE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS, CLAIMING IT'S A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. SMELLS OF DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES TO ME. NOT TO MENTION A MONOPOLY-- THERE ARE ONLY TWO DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS/FORT WORTH THAT SERVICE MINI COOPERS, BOTH TELL ME THAT THE COST WILL BE BETWEEN $6K-9K TO REPLACE W/LABOR COSTS. PEP BOYS AND OTHER INDEPENDENTS WON'T OR CANNOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT'S A MINI COOPER AND ONLY MINI AUTHORIZED DEALERS SUPPOSEDLY HAVE SPECIALTY SOFTWARE/PARTS TO PERFORM JOB. THIS IS A RACKET, MINI AND BMW NEED TO STEP UP AND STOP SELLING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REPLACE THIS AT THEIR COST AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY FIRST GENERATION MINI'S AS I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY RECENT ON-LINE RESEARCH. BMW/MINI HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE MINI 2007 MODEL -- WONDER WHY?? THEY ADVERTISE THAT THIS CAR IS A SAFE, DEPENDABLE AND LONG LASTING CAR, BUT TO THE CONTRARY, LOOK AT THE LIST OF PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE REPORTING WITH THEM. GOD HELP THEM. *JB

1) NO NOTICE GIVEN UP TO FAILURE OF POWER STEERING 2) POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ON CAR AFTER WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF ENGINE AREA 3) CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW. *JB

MY 2003 MINI COOPER WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A RATCHETING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO TOWN, AND AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION: $7,200.00. NO REBUILD AVAILABLE. IT HAD JUST TURNED 90,000 MILES, DRIVEN BY MYSELF (RETIRED) AND MY WIFE; VERY EASY DRIVING. THIS WAS OVER HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO WE DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT WE WERE AWARE OF FOR A SECOND OPINION. ON THE TEST DRIVE AT THAT SHOP, THE TRANSMISSION "BLEW UP" AND LOCKED UP EVERYTHING ON THE STREET. THE STEEL BELT IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME APART, DESTROYING EVERYTHING INTERNALLY. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS TRANSMISSION, I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT AT ALL UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE MINI SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE EARLY MODEL CVT TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME MECHANICAL DEFECTS BUILT INTO THEM. *TR

PARKED MY 2003 MINI COOPER ON THE STREET. SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE SMOKING CONTINUOUSLY EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN PRINCETON. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED; THAT IT LEAKED AND MELTED THE ENGINE HARNESS AND POWER SUPPLY CABLE AND POWER STEERING FAN CONNECTORS. ALSO, THE MAIN COOLANT FAN WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY; AND THERE WAS ANOTHER LEAK IN MY VALVE COVER GASKET. I HAVE READ MANY INSTANCES WHERE FIRES HAVE BEEN STARTED FOR THE SAME REASON, AND AM LUCKY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR TOTALED OVER $3400. I HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED; ALONG WITH THE ENGINE HARNESS, POWER SUPPLY CABLE, POWER STEERING FAN AND MAIN COOLING FAN. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY MINI COOPERS ESPECIALLY 03 AND 04 EDITIONS, I THINK THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT ONLY 58,000 MILES FOR MY 03 MINI COOPER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I'M BEING ASKED TO PAY $2,500 FOR LABOR. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION CRASHING AT 60,000 AND I'M SURPRISED THAT BMW AND MINI AREN'T DOING MORE TO KEEP ME AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE AND HAS REMAINED LIT EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE LIGHT FIRST ILLUMINATED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ABS HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,500. UPDATED 09/10/07 *TR

SUDDEN AND INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. *TR

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER. IT WENT THROUGH STAGES OF OPERATION AND NON-OPERATION BEFORE FINALLY GOING OUT ALL TOGETHER. I WAS CHARGED $1,000 TO REPLACE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DOUSED THE VEHICLE WITH A BUCKET OF WATER. THE DEALER AND THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN HIS GARAGE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT OTHERS WHO HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

WE HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER S THAT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING AND THE POWER STEERING JUST QUIT WORKING. I CAME TO A STOP, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND OPENED THE HOOD - THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE EXHAUST BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WAS ABLE TO GET A BUCKET OF WATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SITES (SEE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MINI.HTML HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=015B1E186260B0639D13CF8A7D6522DD&T=73527&PAGE=8 WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DEATHS, BUT SEVERAL REPORTS OF FIRES. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE POWER STEERING QUIT AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I SEE WHERE AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED IN APRIL (PE07022), BUT PLEASE MOVE ON THIS. I AM VERY AFRAID THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER S. BOTH WINDOWS ARE STUCK AND DO NOT WORK. HAD BOTH MOTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND NOW THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASE AND THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 91,991 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

PARKING THE VEHICLE AFTER A 35 MI COMMUTE TO WORK WITH THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE ELECTRO HYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE PUMP OFF AND AVOID OVERHEATING WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTO HYDROLIC STEERING PUMP. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILURE AND SOON AFTER ELECTRICAL SMELLING SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP SOME OF THE WIRES HAD MELTED AND THE POWER STERRING MOTOR WAS BURNT OUT.

MY CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND REAR BRAKE REPAIR ON TUESDAY (JUNE 26, 2007). WEDNESDAY EVENING (JUNE 27, 2007) THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 15 MINUTES, PARKED FOR ALMOST AN HOUR, THEN DRIVEN A MERE 30 SECONDS TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT PARKING SPOT. WALKED AWAY FOR A MINUTE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. UPON OPENING THE BONNET, THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEMPORARILY PUT OUT THE FIRE, THEN IT RE-IGNITED WHICH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THEN CALLED TO PUT IT OUT SAFELY. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT THE NEXT MORNING (JUNE 28, 2007) TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS NOT LOOKED AT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 29, 2009). THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE STEERING PUMP FAILED, UPON WHICH IT OVERHEATS CAUSING THE FIRE. THE FIRE THEN DAMAGED THE LOOM (HARNESS, OR MAIN WIRING FOR THE VEHICLE), WHICH ALSO RUINED THE BATTERY. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE STEERING WAS FAILING, NOR ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY OTHER POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CAR MILEAGE WAS AT 65,500 AT THE TIME IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, AND ABOUT 65,525 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. NOTHING WILL BE DONE UNTIL THE INSURANCE AGENTS FROM BOTH THE CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP ASSESS THE DAMAGES. *TR

TL-CALLER OWNS A 2003 BMW MINI COOPER. CURRENT MILEAGE 104650. FAILURE MILEAGE 99330. WHILE GOING AROUND A TURN AT 40 MPH, IT BECAME HARD TO TURN THE CAR AND HE KNEW THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND HE DROVE THE CAR COME. HE PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM THE DEALER AND INSTALLED IT. WEATHER WAS DRY. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES. KTF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH FAILURES WERE AAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. WATER ENTERED THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED CORROSION AND A THEN A SHORT. THE TERMINAL WOULD THEN BREK OFF CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL. UPDATED 06/08/07. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER S I DROVE TO WORK AS ON ANY OTHER DAY AND PULLED INTO MY USUAL PARKING SPOT. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER MY CAR ALARM WENT OFF. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE GOING NUTS - DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS, THE ALARM, ETC. I SAW A LITTLE BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND BOOT, PULLED OUT MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT DIDN'T SEE FLAMES. I SMELLED ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND SAW A WHISP OF SMOKE BUT THAT WAS IT. I EMPTIED THE BOOT AND TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (I HEARD SOMETHING 'WHIRRING' AND REALIZED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OBVIOUSLY MALFUNCTIONING.) I COULDN'T DISCONNECT IT MANUALLY SO I LEFT IT AND CHECKED THE ENGINE BAY AGAIN. STILL NO FLAME, BUT MORE SMOKE. I RAN INSIDE AND ASKED A CO-WORKER TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEN GRABBED MY PHONE AND RAN BACK OUT. ANOTHER CO-WORKER CAME OUT WITH ME AND HELPED ME GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WORKING; NOW WE COULD SEE SOME SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM BELOW THE AIRBOX. I USED UP THE EXTINGUISHER BUT THERE WAS STILL A LITTLE FIRE. FORTUNATELY IT WORKED ITSELF OUT... THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP. THEY DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY AND HAD A LOOK. THEY SAID THAT USING THE EXTINGUISHER DEFINITELY KEPT IT FROM SPREADING. THEY FILED A REPORT BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE DAMAGE STARTED WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP IGNITING. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME WIRING HARNESSES AND A FEW OTHER ASSORTED PARTS. THE ENGINE BAY WAS DETAILED TO GET ALL THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER 'GOO' OUT OF IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW WITH THE NEW PARTS. MORE INFO HERE: HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73527. *TR

DRIVING NORMALLY, NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. PARKED CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, NOTICED SMOKE GETTING WORSE, SO I DROVE THE CAR UP TO STREET LEVEL FROM GARAGE. LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE STARTING AT THE LOWER REAR OF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE JUST AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THERE WAS A STUCK RELAY IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. A WIRING HARNESS ON OR NEAR THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS DAMAGED BY THE HEAT AND SHORTED SOME WIRING, CAUSING THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS LOCALIZED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. *JB

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD CRACK. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2003 MINI COOPER S HAD THREE SIGNIFICANT CRACKS AND MULTIPLE CHIPS WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.*AK

THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE PUMP ITSELF FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION.*AK PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (3/23/07): MR. KIRK STARTED HIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. HE CHECKED AND FOUND WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING UNIT. THE DEALER MECHANIC TOLD HIM THE POWER STEERING HARNESS WAS CORRODED AND SHORTED AS SEEN IN OTHER MINI COOPER THAT THEY SERVICED, AND THAT MR. KIRK WAS LUCKY THAT HIS VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE.

PARKED VEHICLE OUTSIDE GROCERY STORE. RETURNED AFTER <5 MINUTES TO FIND SMOKE POURING FROM THE HOOD. OPENED HOOD TO DETERMINE CAUSE AND SMELT ELECTRICAL SMOKE, AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. DOUSED FLAMES USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM STORE, AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY. INITIAL DEALER INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS. HAD I NOT STOPPED FOR GROCERIES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNLIKELY TO NOTICE THE SMOKE/FIRE EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE AND DEALER ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION IS STILL PENDING, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET (MOSTLY HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73527) I FOUND AT LEAST 10 OTHER INSTANCES OF A FAULT IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING FIRES. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, AS THEY MADE CHANGES TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING FAN WIRING HARNESS IN 04 MODELS ON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MINIS. NO FUSE BLEW, AND TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT RUN TO THE POINT WHERE IS COMBUSTS, WITHOUT ANY FUSE OR THERMAL FUSE PROTECTION SEEMS A GROSS DESIGN DEFICIENCY TO ME. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 12-28-06 WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE CAR THEN SPUN, AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AND WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE. . THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED DURING THE CRASH BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT A THREE WAY INTERSECTION MY MINI SUDDENLY CUT OUT AND BLOCKED TRAFFIC IN ALL DIRECTIONS; SO MUCH SO THAT PEOPLE HAD TO STOP TRAFFIC AND CARS NEEDED TO BE BACKED UP TO GET MY CAR IN A SECURE PLACE. THIS WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS $1200 PARTS AND LABOR, BUT UPON MY COMPLAINT JUST LABOR WAS CHARGED ME - I FEEL NEITHER IS APPROPRIATE AS THIS IS A PRODUCT ISSUE, IN MY CASE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I SHOULD BE REINSTATED TO MY PRE-HARNESS INCIDENCE AT THE PRODUCT OWNER'S EXPENSE. I FURTHER NOTICE THAT THERE IS A T.O. FOR THIS ITEM AND PART OF IT STATES ONLY REPLACE AT OWNER'S COMPLAINT - IN MY CASE THIS WAS ALMOST TOO LATE AS I WAS IN A VERY BUSY AREA WHEN MY CAR DIED AND SHUT DOWN THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION DIED @ 83000 MILES. I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM NORTHWEST MINI IN TACOMA, WA ON 10-18-05 WITH 49000 MILES AND ONE YEAR LATER THE TRANNY IS TOAST. NW MINI WANTS $7200 TO REPLACE WITH SAME 'QUESTIONABLE CVT TRANSMISSION'. IRONIC THAT MINI HAS ABANDONED THE CVT TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2007 MODELS...THEY KNOW IT'S A DOG. I'M STUCK, WITH MANY OTHERS, HOLDING THE BILL! *NM

I HAD ~40,000 MILES ON MY MINI COOPER LAST SUMMER. THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS MOTORING. I WENT TO TURN AND WHOA, NO POWER ASSIST. I'M ESTIMATING THE DATE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I CAN LOOK UP THE REPAIR ORDER IF THE CORRECT DATE IS IMPORTANT. I THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS SOME OF US HAVE HAD, THERE IS A REASON WHY I HAVE READ THAT THE 2007 MINI IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT STEERING SYSTEM FROM THE ELECTRICAL-HYDRAULIC ONES WE NOW HAVE. I GUESS I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILED ON MY 2003 MC, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. AND IT WAS REPAIRED WHILE STILL UNDER THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHEN IT SEEMS MOST CARS LAST 150,000+ MILES WITH NO WORK BEYOND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY BMW/MINI CAN??T SEEM TO GET IT RIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY P/S PROBLEMS WITH MINIS. HERE IS A THREAD AND VOTING POLL ON THE PROBLEM... HTTP://WWW.MINI2.COM/FORUM/FAULTS-FIXES/49527-IMPORTANT-HAVE-YOU-HAD-POWER-STEERING-PUMP-FAILURE-PLEASE-VOTE-YES-NO.HTML HERE ARE SOME REAL HORROR STORIES INVOLVING FIRES. SOME FROM OTHER THINGS, BUT MANY FROM THE P/S PUMP. HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=73527&HIGHLIGHT=POWER+STEERING+FAILURE HTTP://WWW.NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=68356&PAGE=3&HIGHLIGHT=OBITUARY THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL WEB PAGES WITH THREADS LIKE THE ABOVE, BUT THEY ARE ON THE MINIUSA.COM OWNERS LOUNGE WEB SITE WHERE YOU NEED AN ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THEM. *NM

THE POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPEN. DURING THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHERE THE WINDOW IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF EGRESS, THE ELECTRIC OPERATED WINDOW MAY NOT OPEN UNDER ITS OWN POWER. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER WILL NOT FIX. *NM

AFTER READING INTERNET FORUMS REGARDING THE MINI COOPER CARS. I LEARNED OF A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS DEFORMING UNDER REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON INSPECTION OF MY OWN MINI COOPER BY MYSELF I FOUND THAT MY TOWERS WERE DISTORTED IN A MUSHROOMING OF THE TOP SHEET METAL . I FOUND ONLINE THE MANUFACTURER OF A MACHINED ALUMINUM PLATE THAT BOLTS ON TOP OF THE TOWER ADDING ADDITIONAL STRENGTH TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER. MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE CRACKS IN THE TOWER BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE FINDING CRACKS AS WELL AS THE DISTORTION. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE TOWER WHERE TO CRACK COMPLETELY THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WOULD BE FORCED UP AND CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING. *NM

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN WHEN TOGGLE IS DEPRESSED, DUE TO MOTOR FAILURE INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS ELIMINATES A MEANS OF EMERGENCY IN SITUATIONS WHERE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. IT ALSO REDUCES MEANS OF COMMUNICATION WITH PERSONS OUTSIDE THE CAR UNLESS DOOR IS OPENED --AGAIN A CONCERN IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, OR IN A MOVING VEHICLE AS THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THEIR HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND OPEN THE DOOR. WINDOW POWER FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED ONLY IN SUMMER SO FAR. OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE WINDOW "STUTTERING" AS IT IS OPENED/CLOSED; WINDOW STICKING BRIEFLY BEFORE IT OPENS AND WINDOW TOP EDGE CATCHING EDGE OF CAR AS IT CLOSES SO THAT THE WINDOW DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. --ALL ELECTRICAL ISSUES. ACTIONS TAKEN: THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM MANY MINI OWNERS HAVE, AND REPLACEMENT MOTORS APPEAR TO WORK TEMPORARILY THEN DEVELOP THE SAME SYMPTOMS. HOPEFULLY, WE WILL NOT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO USE THE WINDOW AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT BEFORE A DEPENDABLE MOTOR IS PRODUCED! QUESTION: DOES THE POWER WINDOW SYSTEM MEET THE NHTSA STANDARDS IN TITLE 49, PART 571.118? *JB

2003 MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD FAILURE. SPONTANEOUS CRACK ALTHOUGH DEALER INSISTS IT WAS A PIN HOLE SIZED HOLE THAT CAUSED IT. REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND TIME IT'S HAPPENED AND WAS COVERED FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. APPARENTLY HAPPENS VERY REGULARLY TO MINI AND AT $1078. COMPLETE...THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT. *JB

RUST IS DEVELOPING ON THE SHEET METAL ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE BODY FRAME COVERED BY THE RUBBER DOOR SEAL. THIS RUST IS IN AN AREA THAT IS UNPAINTED (BARE SHEET METAL). THE RUBBER DOOR SEAL TRAPS MOISTURE AGAINST THE STEEL. *NM

ONE MORNING DRIVING ABOUT 100 MPH GOING UP TO CT I PAY A TOLL TAKE OFF THE CAR HESITATES IN FIRST GEAR THEN GOES OK ABOUT A 2 MILES FROM THE TOLL I AM DOING ABOUT 100 MPH AND SWITCH TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THE CAR JUST STOP GIVING ME POWER SO I GO TO CHANGE TO 5TH GEAR NO LUCK SO I LET THE CAR ROLL TO THE SHOULDER CALL MINI ROADSIDE AND THEY TOW TO NEAREST DEALER TO MY HOUSE. THE DEALER HAS MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 8 DAYS AND TELL ME THE L/FRONT AXLE WILL NOT STAY IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE DEALER SAY THAT ITS NOT COVERED@ FIRST THEN TELLS ME THAT WILL COVER IT A DAY LATER AFTER THE MINI SPECIALIST TAKE A LOOK @ IT AND SAY WE WILL COVER IT THIS TIME AS A FAVOR. NOW IT IS TEN DAYS LATER AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING AND I CANT WAIT TO HAVE A TALK WITH THE DEALER. I WILL KEEP U GUYS POSTED. *NM

JUST DRIVING ALONG ON A STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD AT 40 MPH WHEN THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE CLEAN IN HALF NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AS THE WHEEL ROTATED UP INTO THE FENDER WELL. SCOTTSDALE MINI INSISTS THAT THIS ARM SHOULD ONLY BREAK IF THE CAR WAS CRASHED AND THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE NEVER HIT ANY SIGNIFICANT POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR CASES OF THIS FAILURE REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BUT MINI IS APPARENTLY RELUCTANT TO CLASSIFY IT AS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR BROKE FROM THE STOCK AND FLOPPED ABOUT LOOSELY. ALTHOUGH THE PEDAL DID NOT COMPLETELY SEPARATE, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ANCHORED STOCK THAT HOLDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO ABUSE BY THE DRIVER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

ON 1/26/06 I TOOK MY CAR INTO TUFFY AUTO TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED, AT THE TIME THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD A CRACK IN IT. AT THAT TIME I CALLED MINI AND TOLD THEM THAT MY RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MINI THAT MY DRIVING WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS AND THAT IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO MY CAR, THESE PICTURES SHOW THAT THERE WAS A SHEARING EFFECT ON THE REAR-MOST PART OF THE ARM AND THERE WAS NO BENDING ON THE ARM. I THEN HAD THE CAR TAKEN BY FLAT-BED TO MY MINI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE REPLACING THE LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARM. MY PICTURES REFUTE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BEING A DRIVERS FAULT AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO WARRANTY THE WORK.*JB

FAILURE OF STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ASSEMBLY 3X. FAILURE RESULTED IN MORE DIFFICULTY TURNING STEERING WHEEL AND CREAKING NOISE EMITTING FROM UNDERSIDE OF CAR. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE. 1ST INSTANCE 7/8/04 @32,297 MILES, 2ND INSTANCE 3/2/05 @48,551 MILES, 3RD INSTANCE 7/25/05 @59,112 MILES. ALL FAILURES OCCURRED BETWEEN JULY 2004 AND JULY 2005. OLD PART KEPT BY DEALERSHIP.*JB

OWNER NOTICED CHANGE IN STEERING RESULTING IN HARD TURNING AND NO RETURN OF STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AFTER TURNING VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND FAILURE OF LOWER STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND REPLACED LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND RETAINED OLD PART. VEHICLE WAS MANF. 2/2003 AND HAS 64482 MILES ON IT TO DATE.

1) GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE CAR WHILE BRAKING. 2) UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN COMPLETELY ALTHOUGH THE LEFT REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 PAD REMAINING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. 3) VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT GLOBAL IMPORTS MINI IN ATLANTA AWAITING INSPECTION BY A SPECIAL BMW ENGINEER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS UNUSUAL WEAR OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE BRAKE CALIPERS THAT OPERATE THE BRAKE SYSTEM ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE/FAULTY. THIS SAME PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED ON THIS SAME VEHICLE ON MAY 8, 2004. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SENT TO GLOBAL IMPORTS IN ATLANTA WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR FOR THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED BY GLOBAL IMPORTS AT THIS TIME. BECAUSE THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME VEHICLE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH A SUSPECT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT GLOBAL IMPORTS (ERIC PETERS) HAS STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS TYPE OF INCONSISTENT UNEVEN BRAKE WEAR IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL" PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT THE TIME OF RECENT OCCURRENCE ARE AVAILABLE TO SHOW A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD THICKNESS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THESE PHOTOGRAPHS. *NM

AIR BAG CHECK LIGHT IS ON. NO AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED, NO CRASH WAS INVOLVED. THIS IS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER WHICH SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. COST IS OVER 1000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. IF NOT REPAIRED AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *JB

WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, THE REAR OF MY MINI COOPER S MADE A NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT, REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE REAR, THE CONTROL ARM WAS IN TWO PIECES, BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER AND I WILL BE REQUESTING THE PART BACK. *JB

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY OBJECT.*AK

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CERTAIN SPOTS THAT COULD NOT TOLERATE ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE WINDSHIELD BREAKS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN.*AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK, RESULTING IN BLOWN ELECTRONICS, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, DSC LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT. CAUSE WAS APPARENTLY A FAULTY RADIO. HOWEVER, A REPLACEMENT RADIO FAILED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, BRINGING MORE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK PROBLEMS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND PUT OUT THE FIRE OUT. THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON WHICH INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ALREADY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. WILL BE TAKING IT IN FOR THE FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M CURIOUS WHAT THEY WILL SAY THIS TIME. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM ON THE MINI CHAT ROOMS. THE SCARY THING IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.*AK

DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL, FLAT TIRE AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL MODULE, PART 34 51 6 765 289. ALSO FOUND LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CRUSHED BETWEEN SUBFRAME AND CAR. REPLACED PART 34 52 6 756 384. *AK

DYNAMIC STABILTY CONTROL, ABS AND FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITENTLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND DO NOT GO AWAY UNLESS VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL MODULE FAULT. *AK

DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE, MOTOR AND REGULATOR REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING.*AK

VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES STALL WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS THE LATEST VERSION OF ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE THAT HAS CORRECTIONS FOR STALLING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DRIVING HOME THE CAR STALLED AND CAUGHT FIRE. *BF MINI USA EXPERTS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ROOT OF THE FIRE. *SC THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO 2 OTHER DIFFERENT CAR EXPERTS WHO WERE POSITIVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE THAT CONTINUED TO PUMP FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE PARTS. *JB

UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE DOORS FROZE. ONCE GETTING IN THE VEHICLE ONE CANNOT GET OUT OR ONCE OUT CANNOT GET IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

AFTER THE 10,000 MILE OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, IT IDLED ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALLED WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, DRAINED THE FUEL AND PUT IN OTHER GRADE OF FUEL. *JB AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE FUEL PUMP AND INJECTORS WERE REPLACED BUT REMAINED TO LOSE FUEL PRESSURE OVERNIGHT. *SC

RE; FIRE IN MINI COOPER. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE IMMEDIATELY BURNED THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE NEW VEHICLE AND ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITH FLAMES. EXPERTS TELL THE CONSUMER THAT THE FIRE IS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE THAT CONTINUED TO PUMP FUEL ALL OVER THE CAR AND ENGINE PARTS. *TC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 20 MINUTES WITH NO PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WITHIN SECONDS THERE WAS FIRE THROUGH THE FIREWALL, INTO THE CAR. I JUMPED OUT AND THE CAR IS NOW ASHES. MINI HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE HEY DO NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 MINI COOPER, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK BEGAN UNDER THE TRIM, MOVED UP, TURNED A FEW INCHES UP, AND THEN SPREAD TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. TWO WEEKS LATER, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR IT'S FIRST SCHEDULED OIL SERVICE, WHERE I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR, PETER WARK OF MINI OF THE MAIN LINE IN BALA CYNWYD, PA, ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD. HE PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE POINT OF A SMALL SCREWDRIVER AND RUN IT ALONG THE CRACK. ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH ABOVE THE TRIM, AND IN A PLACE WHERE IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A ROCK TO HIT, THE SCREWDRIVER CAUGHT A SMALL NICK IN THE GLASS, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF SAND. HE INFORMED ME THAT THAT NICK WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK, WHICH CAUSED THE CRACK, WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE THEN TOLD ME ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS THEY USE OF GLUEING THE GLASS ON CAUSES THE ENTIRE BOTTOM FEW INCHES OF GLASS TO BECOME VERY WEAK, AND THAT ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS IN THAT AREA, EVEN A TINY ROCK, WOULD CRACK THE GLASS. I FOUND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE, SO I CALLED THE MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT 1-866-ASK-MINI. I SPOKE TO A "MARTY" WHO MERELY REPEATED OVER AND OVER THAT HE WAS "SORRY THEY MADE THAT DETERMINATION, BUT A ROCK CHIP IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY." AFTER RECEIVING NO HELP FROM THE COMPANY, I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE GLASS. I FEEL THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE THE WAY THEY MANUFACTURE AND ATTACH THE GLASS CAUSES WEAKNESS, AND THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR SUPPLYING A CUSTOMER WITH A WARRANTY. I HAVE VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE CRACK AND NICK, AS WELL AS RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED AND SPREAD AUGUST 12, 2004 AND MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS AUGUST 24, 2004.*AK

SPONTANEOUS CRACK FORMING IN MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD. OVERNIGHT, A CRACK APPEARED IN MY WINDSHILED STARING AT THE BOTTEM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, MOVING DIRECTLY UPWARD ABOUT 5 INCHES THEN ANGLING 90 DEGREES TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE OFR SEVERAL INCHES. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN 6 MONTHS THAT THE SAME FRACTURE HAS APPEARER OVERNIGHT. FIRST WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED.*AK

WAS DRIVING DOWN A 2-LANE CURVY ROAD AT NIGHT, DRY WEATHER, 75 F AT 30 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN TO WHINE WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. AS I DECELERATED TO 10-15 MPH TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN AROUND A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SUDDENLY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALMOST T-BONED A CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AROUND SAME CURVE. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK IN MY LANE, AND GET IT HOME, BUT NOT WITHOUT A LOT OF EFFORT. CALLED BMW SERVICE, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY'VE SERVICED A FEW MINIS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WAS MOST LIKELY A POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. CAR WILL BE TOWED TODAY. *JB

WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON MY MINI COOPER FROM DEBRIS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPERS. DOZENS AND DOZENS OF MINI OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS ON WWW.ROADFLY.ORG. THE WINDSHIELDS ON THESE CARS ARE PRONE TO CRACKING. I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND ONLY HAVE 5000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD SOMETHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD. IF SO MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO WARRANT SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION INTO THESE WINDSHIELDS AND WHY THEY ARE SO PRONE TO CRACKING. *AK

COMPUTER(S) FAILURE RESULTING IN A LOST OF ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD OR REARWARD. THE ENGINE COMPUTER(S) HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION.

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER S AND LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF MINIS, MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. I DO BELIEVE MINI SHOULD COME UP WITH A NEW DESIGN AND DO A RECALL. *AK

THE SLIGHTEST PEBBLE CAUSES STARS, CHIPS, AND CRACKS IN MY MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD. I'M ON MY THIRD ONE AND IT ALREADY HAS 2 STARS AND A CHIP. I'M TIRED OF REPLACING IT, BUT IT'S A STRUCTURAL SAFETY ITEM.

BMW MINI COOPERS HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS THAT CRACK REPEATEDLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. THE GLASS CRACKS DUE TO STRESS OR TEMP. CHANGES. NOT RELATED TO STONE IMPACTS. CHECK OUT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING THREAD ON THE MINI2.COM WEB SITE. WE ARE ON OUR 2ND WINDSHIELD IN TWO WEEKS. BMW IS COVERING UP THE PROBLEM WHILE QUIETLY INTRODUCING STRONGER GLASS. *JB

LARGE WINDSHIELD CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

MY 2003 MINI COOPER'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE NEW CAR. IT WAS NEVER HIT BY A ROCK, AND MANY OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED STRESS FRACTURES CAUSED BY WEAK WINDSHIELD GLASS. *AK BMW/MINI-USA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY

WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS DUE TO PREMATURE PITTING, CHIPPING, AND CRACKING. MANY OTHER MINI COOPER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *AK

THE MINIS WINDSHIEL BEING SOFT AND WEAK WHICH LEAVES IS MORE PRONE TO PITTING, CHIPPING AND TO CRACKING. *AK

MINI COOPER WINDSHIELD IS THIN AND WEEK. THERE IS NO AFTERMARKET GLASS FOR IT EITHER SO REPALCEING GETS PRICY.*AK

WINDSHIELD IN MINI COOPERS ARE TO SOFT. I AM FIXING TO HAVE MY SECOND WINDSHIELD INSTALLED. JUST HAD ONE REPLACED IN AUGUST. A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD BOTH TIMES. THE SECOND TIME IF I HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THE ROCK WOULD HAVE COME THROUGH AND KILLED ME OR MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THE SAME THING. THERE WAS AT LEAST TWO CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE OTHER CAR. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD HAS MANY ROCK PITS IN IT AND IT IS ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD. *JB

MINI COOPER S 2003 MODEL PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 HAS DEVELOPED A WINDSHIELD CRACK NEAR LOWER EDGE AT CENTER. MANY MINI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR CRACK, AND MINI/BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM HERE. AT GREAT MAJORITY OF THESE CRACKS ARE OCCURRING IN ONE OF THREE PLACES. CRACKS ARE HAPPENING REPEATEDLY TO SOME OWNERS (3 NEW WINDSHIELDS IN ONE YEAR FOR AT LEAST ONE OWNER.) WE WOULD LIKE MINI/BMW TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND TO REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR CRACKED WINDSHIELDS NOT CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS.*AK

2004 MINI COOPER S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM 1/32 INCH "PIT"...ONLY 3,100 MILES ON CAR.*AK

WINDSHIELD, CRACKED , FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

A 1" LONG VERTICAL FISSURE (CRACK) JUST APPEARED OVERNIGHT ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER S WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN A SINGLE CAR GARAGE (AND I DON'T HAVE KIDS OR PETS), AND WAS VISIBLE ON WINDSHIELD THE MORNING OF FEB 11, 2004. ON THE EVENING OF FEB 10, 2004, THIS CRACK WAS NOT THERE. THE CRACK ORIGINATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM BELOW THE AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS LIKE STONES AND ROCKS, AND NO SUCH HAZARDS HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS GROWING EACH DAY LIKE MY VOCABULARY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOW 8" LONG NOW AFTER 1 WEEK AND HAS HUNG A LEFT. I'VE READ ON NUMEROUS MINI OWNERS FORUMS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 MINIS AND THAT 2004 MINIS HAVE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN LOWER CENTER. DEALER CLAIMED THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL CHIP IN THE GLASS. I COULD NOT SEE ANY CHIP IN THE GALSS.*AK DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY USING GUIDLINES SET BY THE MANUFACTURE.

CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT QUICKLY GREW TO SPAN ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD.*AK

THIS CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. SO FAR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DISPLAY IS ABOUT TO BE REPLACED, AND TWO RED MARKS ON THE TAKOMETER NO LONGER LIGHT UP.*AK

WINDSHIELD: CRACKING BECAUSE OF FRAME STRESS, MAYBE INDUCED BY PIN SIX ROCK STRIKE. *CB

DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN FOR 18 HOURS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM AND DID NOT CLEAR UNTIL AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY. ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE WINDOW THE DAY AND EVENING OF THE FAILURE WHILE PARKED AND DRIVING ALL FAILED. *CB

WE WERE EVENTUALLY ABLE TO SPEAK TO ANOTHER TECHNICIAN, HOWARD FULLER, AFTER EXTENSIVELY QUESTIONING MIKE WINTER. HOWARD FULLER HAD NOT READ ANY OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) ABOUT THE CAR AND IS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS OR WITH ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED WITH MINI. AFTER TALKING TO HOWARD FULLER THE NEXT DAY, HE HAD PERFORMED SOME MINIMAL RESEARCH (READ THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS) AND STATED THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS NOT THE SAME AND HE REPEATED HIS INTERPRETATION OF WHAT HE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS, WHICH WAS INCORRECT. WE CORRECTED MR. FULLER AND REDIRECTED HIM TO THE TSBS. HE TOLD US A MINI SPECIALIST WAS GOING TO COME IN TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, HE EXPRESSED DOUBT IN THE MINI SPECIALIST BEING ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. IN ANOTHER DISTURBING INCIDENT, MY HUSBAND CONTACTED CHICO MOTLEY, THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR. MR. MOTLEY WAS ALSO HIGHLY COMBATIVE AND FIRST STATED THAT THE VIRGINIA LEMON LAW DID NOT APPLY TO BMWS! AFTER MY HUSBAND, WHO IS A 26-YEAR VETERAN OF THE FBI, CORRECTED HIM, MR. MOTLEY STATED THAT THE VIRGINIA LEMON LAW STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND BE SERVICED FOR IT 6 TIMES. MY HUSBAND AGAIN CORRECTED HIM, QUOTING VIRGINIA LAW THAT IT IS 3 TIMES. MR. MOTLEY STATED THAT HE MADE A MISTAKE BECAUSE HE ALSO MANAGES A DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS, WHERE HE STATED IT IS 6 TIMES (WHICH IS ALSO INCORRECT, IT IS 3 TIMES IN TEXAS AS WELL). HE MADE IT CLEAR TO MY HUSBAND THAT WHATEVER ACTION HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE WOULD BE SATISFACTORY AND THAT NO OTHER OPTION WOULD BE CONSIDERED. IN NO INSTANCE DID HE EVER EXPRESS ANY CONCERN OVER OUR SAFETY OR THE NATURE OF THIS SERIOUS COMPLAINT.

WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. I DON'T REMEMBER ANY STONE DAMAGE BEING DONE. WHEN I WASHED MY CAR (HOT DAY), A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE MID-RIGHT BOTTOM BORDER OF MY WINDSHIELD. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS STONE DAMAGE.

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S, UPON ACCELERATION, EXPERIENCES AN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF POWER THAT HAS PUT ME IN THE POSITION OF NEARLY BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FLOW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER IN CINCINNATI 5 TIMES, AND THOUGH THEY CLAIM THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, AND DRIVES 'NORMALLY' IT STILL NEARLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL. *AK

2003 MINI COOPER S PURCHASED NEW; AT APPROX 4500 MILES 6-INCH CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT IN LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON WINDSHIELD. SINCE THEN, CRACK HAS PROGRESSED NEARLY TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CRACK WAS THE RESULT OF A STONE HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. SERVICE MANAGER "PROVED" THIS BY TRACING CRACK WITH A BALLPOINT PEN UNTIL IT ENCOUNTERED A MICROSCOPIC, NEARLY INVISIBLE "PIT" ALONG THE CRACK. DEALER DECLINED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. PERSONAL OPINION, SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCE OF OTHER MINI OWNERS: STRESS CRACK PROBABLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR UNDERDESIGNED WINDSHIELD. IN ANY CASE, MINI HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT IN SOLUTION, REPLACING SOME CUSTOMERS' WINDSHIELDS UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSING TO REPLACE OTHERS, LIKE MINE.

WHEN SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HAD THE TENDENCY TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. EACH TIME, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *SCC *JB

BELOW IS A QUOTE OF ANOTHER PERSON,I AM EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR "TOTAL LOSS OF POWER" WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME. ALSO, THE STUDDERING PROBLEM IN FIRST GEAR IS GREATLY REDUCED WHEN THE "ACTIVE SKID CONTROL" IS DISABLED.*AK MY MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2003. "NEW MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE (PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2003) EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GENERAL, THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS SEEM TO OCCUR IN ON TEMPERATURE DAYS WITH AC ENGAGED AND INCLUDE A FULL LOSS OF POWER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND A NOTICEABLE SURGING DURING ACCELERATION AS IS THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS. *JB"

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOW SPEED, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN THE FREEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND I WAS STOPPED IN THE FIRST LANE OF THE FREEWAY. I TRIED TO RE-START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCESS, AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE SUV DRIVING BEHIND WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING MY BUMPER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND HAD THE CAR TOWED BUT THE ENGINE STARTED AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD ONLY CHECK WHEN THE THE CARS IS STALLED. I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE WITH THE CAR.*AK

MINI COOPER S HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDING START. THE PROBLEM IS UNRELATED TO THROTTLE OR CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION. CAR BOGS FOR A FEW SECONDS (WHEN MAKING A LEFT AGAINST TRAFFIC IT FEELS LIKE AN ETERNITY) WHEN IN FIRST GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 RPM THEN RESUMES ACCELERATING. SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT'S A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR. REPRESENTATIVE AT MINI USA TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE WORKING ON A FIX. THE IS NO FIX AT THE PRESENT TIME AND NO ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN THERE WILL BE ONE. FOR THE TIME BEING, MINI OWNERS HAVE TO PRAY EACH TIME THEY ENTER AN INTERSECTION. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE THAT REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PUSHED IT INTO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED THE SEAT BEING BROKEN. CONSUMER NOTED THE SEAT HIT THE BACK OF THE CALVES AND BRUISED THEM. HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, FRACTURED NOSE AND RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. VEHICLE TOTALED WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS SITTING PRETTY FAR BACK. SHE MANAGED TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SHE HIT IN THE REAR WAS ALSO TOWED. THAT VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE REAR. CONSUMER'S HOOD WAS PUSHED UP AND HEADLIGHT WAS DAMAGED. *PH

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER S JUST GOT A STRESS CRACK TODAY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE MINIS INTRODUCTION AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WITH REINFORCED A PILLARS ON 04S. IT HAS ABOUT 2500 MILES ON IT. MANY MINI OWNERS WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED, PERMANENTLY.*AK

ENGINE POWER LOSS STARTING OFF IN 1ST GEAR. WHEN STATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN 1ST GEAR THE CAR WILL HESITATE FOR APROX. 2-3 SECONDS BEFORE THE RPMS INCREASE. THERE IS NO COMBINATION OF CLUTCH AND THROTTLE THAT WILL ALLEVIATE THIS SITUATION. THE COMBINATION OF WARM TEMPERATURES AND RUNNING THE A/C CONTRIBUTE HEAVILY TO THE POWER LOSS. COLDER WEATHER DOES IMPROVE THIS POWER LOSS.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES (STIMBLES) UPON ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A SERIOUS SAFTEY CONCERN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE YO-YOS UPON DECELERATION. *LA

CAR LOSES POWER SUDDENLY AND LURCHES IN FIRST GEAR WHEN MOVING OFF FROM A STANDING START. *LA

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

MINI COOPER 2003 CVT STALLS IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR STARTING FROM STOP LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A MONTH CONSIDERING THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A MONTH OLD. ALSO, THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AND COULD SURGE ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. INFORMED THAT IT'S A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIR IS NEEDED AT THIS POINT. I THINK IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *LA

EXCESSIVE PITTING ON WINDSHIELD ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 MINI SUFFERED A 5 INCH CRACK AFTER BEING HIT BY A SMALL PEBBLE. THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WASN'T REPAIRABLE DUE 1-1/2 INCHES OF IT BEING SUBSURFACE. ON MY OTHER CARS, A 1993 LEXUS LS400 AND A 1993 ISUZU RODEO 4WD, NEITHER CAR HAS EVER SUFFERED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD DUE TO A PEBBLE HIT. WHAT'S WORSE IS THE 2003 MINI WINDSHIELD CRACKED JUST 11 DAYS AFTER OWNING THE CAR. THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY AAA INSURANCE. *JB

THE FRONT WINDSHEILD CRACKED, EXTREMELY SMALL CHIPS ON WINDSHEILD. CRACK APPEARS WHEN CAR IS PARKED FOR A WEEK. I HAD HUGE ROCKS LANDED ON MY WINDSHIELD BEFORE AND NOTHING MORE THAN AN EXTREMELY SMALL CHIP, UNLIKE OTHER CARS THAT ARE DRIVEN DAILY. I BELIEVE THE CRACK IS A STRESS CRACK AND NOT CAUSED BY A ROCK. MANY COMPLAINTS WHERE FILED AT HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERONLINE.COM IN REGARDS WITH THIS MATTER. *LA

MINI COOPER STALLED ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS DURING LOW SPEED/STOP AND GO TRAFFIC

CRACKED WINDSHIELD LOWER LEFT CORNER OF ONE WEEK OLD CAR. CRACK APPEARED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. LONG BEACH MINI DEALER CLAIMS ROCK DAMAGE.

WHILE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ANOTHER DRIVER POINTED OUT THAT REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF FROM A STOP, AT TIMES THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. *JB. LOST OF THROTTLE CONTROL, ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT IN FIRST GEAR SLOWS CAR RAPIDLY WHILE TRAFFIC IS BEARING DOWN*TS *JB

"2003 MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GENERAL, THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS SEEM TO OCCUR IN ON TEMPERATURE DAYS WITH AC ENGAGED AND INCLUDE A FULL LOSS OF POWER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND A NOTICEABLE SURGING DURING ACCELERATION AS IS THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS." I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD ONLY LIKE TO ADD THAT A CAR HAD TO MOVE INTO THE MEDIAN BECAUSE MY MINI LOST POWER WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. *JB

MY MINI COOPER JULY 2003 BUILD HAS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS EITHER A "STUMBLE" OR A "HICCUP". BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY CUTS OUT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, CAUSING A PAUSE AND THAN RESUMIING WITH A JOLT. THIS PROBLEM IS BEING COMPLAINED ABOUT BY NUMEROUS MINI OWNERS FOR OVER 1 YEAR (SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT AT HTTP://WWW.MINICOOPERONLINE.COM/MOD...OPIC&TOPIC=9951 AND ALSO AT MINI2.COM YET THE MINI DEALERS CLAIM IGNORANCE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OR SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THE S BUT NOT ON THE COOPER. SOME MINI USA REPS (1-866-ASK-MINI) ADMIT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON BOTH THE COOPER AND THE COOPER S. OTHES CLAIM IGNORANCE. THEY GIVE PEOPLE DIFFERENT RESPONSES, BUT GENERALLY WHEN THEY DO ADMIT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THEY ALSO SAY THAT "ENGINEERING IS COLLECTING COMPLAINTS" OR "THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX" BUT THEY OFFER NO PROJECTED FIX DATE AT ALL. THEY DO TAKE SOME PEOPLE'S VIN NUMBER WHEN FILING THE COMPLAINT, BUT SAY THEY HAVE NO SYSTEM OF LETTING YOU KNOW IF OR WHEN A FIX IS TO BE EXPECTED. WE MINI OWNERS ARE FRUSTRATED OVER THIS ONGOING, ANNOYING, AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFECT. MINI SHOULD BE PUT TO THE TASK OF REPAIRING THIS ISSUE OR TO STOP SELLING THE CAR PERIOD. THEY ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THEY ARE SELLING CARS WHICH HAS THIS DEFECT WTIH NO FIX. THEY ARE STEALING (MISREPRESENTATION) AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC.

NEW MINI COOPER S AUTOMOBILE (PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2003) EXPERIENCES A NOTICEABLE AND SIGNIFICANT STUMBLE WHEN ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE STUMBLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION AND RESULTS IN UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AT HIGHER RPM ENGAGEMENTS, IN HOTTER WEATHER, AND WITH THE AC ENGAGED. THE STUMBLE FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER IS RETURNED TO THE WHEELS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ENGAGEMENT BUT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SEVERE WHEN TURNING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE UNRELIABLE AND CAN STALL THE AUTOMOBILE AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. NO CRASHES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO A STALL OR A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DUE TO STALLING WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IS PRESENT. ADDITIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND THROTTLE RESPONSE OCCUR IN THE SAME AUTOMOBILE HAVE OCCURRED BUT THESE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. IN GENERAL, THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS SEEM TO OCCUR IN ON TEMPERATURE DAYS WITH AC ENGAGED AND INCLUDE A FULL LOSS OF POWER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING FIRST GEAR AND A NOTICEABLE SURGING DURING ACCELERATION AS IS THE DRIVER WAS PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS. *JB

2003 MINI COOPER S. THERE IS A "STUMBLE" WHEN STARTING OFF IN FIRST GEAR. THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER AND LURCH MOMENTARILY. NO COMBINATION OF CLUTCH AND GAS PEDAL MOTION SEEMS TO FIX THIS. ISSUE HAS BEEN HEAVILY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED ON MINI ENTHUSIAST FORUMS, SO IT IS NOT A DRIVER CLUTCH-USER ERROR. *JB

PURCHASED NEW VEHICLE (DELIVERY DATE BELOW). VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS LURCH AND POWER LOSS IN 1ST GEAR, PARTICULARY W/ AC RUNNING. THIS POSES SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AS NORMAL ACCELERATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. MAUFACTURER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED PROBEM STATING IT IS IN THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE--CLAIMS NO FIX TO DATE DESPITE REPEATED COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS FOR FIX.*AK

WINDSHIELD BULLSEYE PRODUCED BY VERY INSIGNIFICANT STONE FROM ROADWAY. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE DAMAGE RESULT FROM SUCH A MINOR IMPACT. APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS.*AK

MY 2003 MINI COOPER S STUMBLES AND BOGS DOWN WHEN STARTING IN FIRST GEAR. WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD START AND LETTING CLUTCH OUT, THE CARS POWER CUTS OFF FOR A MOMENT AND THEN CUTS BACK IN. THIS WAS NOT A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR PRIOR TO MY DEALER UPGRADING THE SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. I'VE CONTACTED MINI USA (AKA BMW) AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NO FIX FOR IT. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR HESITATES BADLY.*AK

I HAVE A MINI COPPER S AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS VERY EASY. I HAVE TALKED TO MINI USA, AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. BUT THIS HAS HAPPEN TO SO MANY MINI OWNER, I THINK THAT IT IS A MINI USA PROBLEM. CAUSE WHY WOULD SO MANY MINI WINDSHIELDS CRACK ALL THE TIME. *AK

MY APRIL BUILD 2003 MINI COOPER S EXPERIENCES SUDDEN MOMENTARY ENGINE POWER LOSSES, CAUSING THE CAR TO VIOLENTY JERK DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION. FURTHERMORE, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, LOSE ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM JUST WHEN I NEED IT MOST, AS IN PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THROTTLE IS ENGAGED, THE CAR BARELY CRAWLS FOWARD FOR UP TO 3 SECONDS, THEN FINALLY ROARS TO LIFE AND TAKES OFF. IT FEELS VERY MUCH LIKE TRYING TO ACCELERATE A CAR FROM A DEAD STOP IN 3RD GEAR, THOUGH THE CAR IS IN 1ST GEAR. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WITHIN BMWNA/MINIUSA. I, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS, HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MINIUSA/BMWNA AND WE ARE ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING, THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. IT HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THESE PROBLEMS FIRST BEGAN TO SURFACE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM BMWNA/MINIUSA REGARDING THE ISSUE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL. CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

WINDSHIELDS ON MINI COOPERS CRACKING,CHIPPING EASY AND FREQUENTLY. I HAVE HAD FOUR WINDSHIELDS REPLACES IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. 2 COVERED UNDER WARRANTEE FOR STRESS RELATED CRACKS AND TWO DUE TO SMALL ROCK STRIKES. I HAVE NEVE BEEN THRU WINDSHIELDS LIKE THIS BEFORE AND FEEL THAT THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE MINI WINDSHIELD MAKES IT SUBSTANDARD IN PROTECTION.*AK

NUMEROUS WINDSHEILD CHIPS IN LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH A WINDSHIELD THAT CHIPS SO EASILY. THE SMALLEST OF DEBRIS WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT CHIP. THE WINDSHEILD HAS TO BE TOO WEAK. HOW CAN THE WINDSHIELD PROTECT YOU WHEN IT IS SO WEAK. THE FIRST CHIP HAPPENED AT ABOUT 800 MILES ANOTHER AT ABOUT 8000 MILES AND THE LAST AT 11000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE WAS "REPAIRED" THE NEXT MORNING. BUT IT IS NOW SPIDERING.

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 MINI COPPER S CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER WHEN I SPRAYED IT WITH A HOSE WHILE WASHING IT. THIS WAS NOT A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, JUST A REGULAR GARDEN HOSE. I BELIEVE IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A TEMPERATURE CHANGE. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY, BEING BARELY ABOVE 70 DEGREES. I HAVE WASHED THIS CAR AND ALL OF MY PREVIOUS CARS IN WEATHER HOTTER THAN THAT! ADDITIONALLY, A SEARCH OF THE WEB SHOWS THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH "STRESS" CRACKS WITH MINI WINDSHIELDS. ANYWAY, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY DISTURBING AND (IN MY EXPERIENCE) VERY UNUSUAL.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT 3 MONTHS USAGE AND 4,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I KNOW THIS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER AND COOPER S AS I HAVE MONITORED THE MINI COOPER MESSAGE BOARD FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES POSTED(MANY OF THEM MULTIPLE FAILURES). DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THE COMPANY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS IT MONITORS THE MESSAGE BOARD CONTINUOUSLY BUT HAS YET TO OFFER OWNERS ANY OPTIONS FOR THE POOR QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE GLASS.*AK

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC (THIS HAPPENED TWICE.) MY KEY-LESS ENTRY DOESN'T WORK. FINALLY, THE TIRE FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE CHANGES BUT IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP WHEN I HAD A FLAT.*AK

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INSTANT DECELERATION BELOW 1500 RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A 2003 MINI-COOPER CVT.*AK *TS *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WINDSHIELD CRACKED

STRESS CRACK ON WINSHIELD OF MY MINI COOPER, WHICH IS APPARENTLY HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE THIRD WINDSHIELD. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT ROCKS WERE HITTING THE VEHICLE AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

THE CAR HAS MULTIPLE DAILY ENGINE STUMBLES AND HAS STALLED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE NEW CAR FOR THE PAST 7 MONTHS. THE STALLS HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. *NLM

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BALD. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOT FROM ROUGH DRIVING. *NLM PH *JB

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH ENGINE IS LOSING POWER AND WON'T PASS THE 20 MPH. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

CRACKED WINDHSIELD ON MINI COOPER S. ONE OF PROBABLY THOUSANDS SUFFERED BY MIN OWNERS OWING TO THE GLASS BEING TOO THIN AND THE WINDSHIELD TOO UPRIGHT. THIS IA A DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE. MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED MONDAY APRIL 14. A SMALL STONE MAY HAVE HIT IT, BUT THE CRACK DID NO BEGIN UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. RANDOM CRACKS DUE TO STONES AND ROCKS ARE TO BE EXPECTED FROM TIME TO TIME. BUT THE OCCURRENCE OF CRACKS ON THE MIJI COOPER S IS EPIDEMIC AND WIDELY KNOWN. THE COMPANY DENIES THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE, BUT THE FREQUENCY OF THESE CRACKS, ADMITTED BY THE MINI COOPER DEALER NETWORK, IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BR A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, AND THERE IS NO POLICY TO REMEDY IT, OTHER THAN HAVING THE WINDHSILED REPLACED AT A COST EXCEEDING $600. THESE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE MEANT THAT HUNDRED IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ROUTINELY ARE FORCED TO DRIVE THEIR CARS FOR LONG PERIODS WITH CRACKED WINDSHIELDS--A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

MINI COOPER 2003 STOP DEAD AT THE THE INTERSECTION FOR THE THIRD TIME.THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOT THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SIDE AIR BAG IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOY WITH NO REASON. DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ACTIVATED.

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS THE VEHICLE STALLED. *NLM

THERE WERE TWO CHIPS AND A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDERS. TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE OUTISIDE WHEEL. FIRESTONE, P22575R16 STEELTEX.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEPARATED TREAD WAS WRAPPED AROUND TAILPIPE AND DAMAGED WHEEL WELL. *YH

AT 65MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE CAUSING A BLOWOUT OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. SIZE 22517R16, DOT UNKNOWN.*AK THE DOT OF THE TIRE IS VD1L1XD WITH A DATE CODE OF 368. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *JG

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE STEELTEX, R4S #LT 225/7516M/S. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT.*AK DOT#VD1L1XD298. *SLC

WE HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT WITH TREAD SEPARATION, AND LEARNED FROM THE DOT NUMBERS THAT THE TIRES ON OUR MOTORHOME CAME FROM THE SAME PLANT THAT THE RECALLED TIRES HAVE COME FROM, AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE TREAD SEPARATION THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND THAT IT MAY HAPPEN TO ANY OF THE OTHER TIRES. WE HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM FIRESTONE OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ALL THAT THEY WILL SAY IS THAT THESE ARE NOT THE TIRES ON THE RECALL LIST. WELL, WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT, BUT, ARE THEY SAFE? IF THE WHOLE FACTORY WAS BEING SHODILY RUN, ARE MY TIRES SAFE?( DOT NUMBER: VDIL TIRE SIZE: 225/75R16 )